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Story Line:
Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat
The story is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in
the book of Genesis. It is set in a frame
in which a narrator is telling a story to children, encouraging them to
dream. She then tells the story of Joseph, another dreamer ("Prologue," "Any
Dream Will Do"). In the beginning of the main story Jacob and his
12 sons are introduced ("Jacob and Sons"). Joseph's brothers are jealous of
him for his coat, a symbol of their father's preference of him ("Joseph's
Coat"). It is clear from Joseph's dreams that he is destined to rule over
them ("Joseph's Dreams"). To get rid of him and make the dreams not come
true, they sell him as a slave to some passing Ishmaelites ("Poor, Poor Joseph"), who in turn take him to Egypt.
Back home, his brothers, accompanied by their wives, break
the news to Jacob that Joseph has been killed; they show his
tattered coat smeared with his blood – it is really goat blood –
as proof that what they say is true ("One More Angel in
Heaven"). In most productions, one brother,Reuben or Levi, usually sings the solo; the song often segues into a celebratory
hoedown
after the bereft Jacob has tottered off the stage.
In Egypt, Joseph is the slave of Egyptian millionaire Potiphar. He rises
through the ranks of slaves and servants until he is running Potiphar's
house. When his master's wife makes advances, Joseph spurns her. Potiphar
overhears, barges in, sees the two together – and jumps to conclusions. He
jails Joseph ("Potiphar"). Depressed, Joseph sings Close Every Door – but his spirits rise when he helps two prisoners put
in his cell. Both are former servants of the Pharaoh and both have had
bizarre dreams. Joseph interprets them. One cellmate, the Baker, will be
executed, but the other, the Butler, will be returned to service ("Go, Go,
Go Joseph").
- Act II
The Narrator talks about impending changes in Joseph's fortunes ("A
Pharaoh Story") because the Pharaoh is having dreams that no-one can
interpret. Now freed, the Butler tells Pharaoh (acted in the style of
Elvis Presley) of Joseph and his dreams interpretation skills ("Poor,
Poor Pharaoh"). Pharaoh orders Joseph to be brought in and the king tells
him his dream involving seven fat cows, seven skinny cows, seven healthy
ears of corn, and seven dead ears of corn ("Song of the King"). Joseph
interprets the dream as seven plentiful years followed by seven years of
famine ("Pharaoh's Dreams Explained"). An astonished Pharaoh puts Joseph in
charge of carrying out the preparations needed to endure the impending
famine, and Joseph becomes the most powerful man in Egypt, second only to
the Pharaoh ("Stone the Crows"). In the 2007 London revival, Pharaoh has a
new song (King of my Heart).
Back home, the famine had caught up with Joseph's brothers, who – led by
the brother Simeon, or Nepthali in some versions – express regret at selling
him and deceiving their father ("Those Canaan Days"). They hear Egypt has
food and decide to go there to beg for food and mercy, not realizing whom
they will be dealing with ("The Brothers Come to Egypt"). Joseph gives them
food and sends them on their way, but plants a golden cup into the sack of
his brother Benjamin ("Grovel, Grovel"). When the brothers try to leave, Joseph
stops them, asking about the "stolen cup". Each brother empties his sack,
and it is revealed that Benjamin has the cup. Joseph then accuses Benjamin
of robbery ("Who's the Thief?"). The other brothers, though, beg for mercy
for Benjamin, imploring that Joseph take them prisoner and set Benjamin free
("Benjamin Calypso").
Seeing their unselfishness and penitence Joseph reveals himself ("Joseph
All the Time") and sends for his father. The two are reunited ("Jacob in
Egypt") for a happy conclusion. The show ends with two songs ("Finale: Any
Dream Will Do (Reprise)/Give Me My Coloured Coat"), and for curtain call in
some big productions, a rock/disco medley of most of the musical's major
numbers ("Joseph Megamix").
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