Topic: Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Mataya

Date: 2014-03-02 09:30 EST
Cast

Narrator #1 - Clarine Fire Crow Narrator #2 - Mairead Harker Joseph - Eregor Pharaoh - Josh Stuart Butler - Tom Stone Baker - Raymond Cohen Jacob - Randal Cummings Potiphar - Max Yako Mrs Potiphar - Mafalda Light Reuben - Nathanael Goddard Simeon - Lenard Mercado Levi - Bennett Doran Judah - Hassan Wicker Dan - Lincoln Milburn Naphtali - Carey Abraham Gad - Erwin Hook Asher - Jonas Fordelle Issachar - Emile Kinsey Zebulun - Mathias Rennik Benjamin - Claud Jacobson Children's Band Leader and Soloist - Doran Ilnaren

Adult chorus provided by the Shanachie Theater Company & members of the Black Cat Dance Studios.

Children's chorus and band provided by volunteers from the Stardreamer Manor Fosterage & School, the Harker Dueling Academy, the Dragon's Gate Orphanage, and the Rhy'Din Orphanage.

((And many thanks to the player owners of those institutions!

Mataya

Date: 2014-03-02 09:32 EST
Synopsis

Act I

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 (sometimes 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 of many colors, a symbol of their father's preference for 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 prevent the dreams from coming true, they attempt fratricide, but then they sell Joseph as a slave to some passing Ishmaelites ("Poor, Poor Joseph"), who take him to Egypt.

Back home, his brothers, led by Reuben and accompanied by their wives, break the news to Jacob that Joseph has been killed. They show his tattered coat smeared with his blood " really goat blood " as proof that what they say is true ("One More Angel in Heaven"). After the bereft Jacob leaves, the brothers and their wives happily celebrate the loss of Joseph.

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 Mrs. Potiphar makes advances, Joseph spurns her. She removes his shirt, feels his chest and back, squeezes his rear and blows him kisses. Potiphar overhears, barges in, sees the two together " and jumps to conclusions ("Potiphar"). Outraged, he throws Joseph in jail. Depressed, Joseph laments the situation ("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. Upon hearing this, the rest of the prisoners surround Joseph and encourage him to go after his dreams ("Go, Go, Go Joseph").

Act II

The Narrator tells of 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 dream-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 of crops 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 Pharaoh himself ("Stone the Crows").

Back home, the famine has caught up with Joseph's brothers, who " led by the brother Simeon " express regret at selling him and deceiving their father ("Those Canaan Days"). They hear that Egypt still has food and decide to go there to beg for mercy and to be fed, not realizing that they will be dealing with Joseph ("The Brothers Come to Egypt"). Joseph gives them sackfuls of food and sends them on their way, but plants a golden cup in the sack of his youngest 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, led by Judah, beg for mercy for Benjamin, imploring that Joseph take them prisoner and set Benjamin free ("Benjamin Calypso").

Seeing their selflessness 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 and Joseph dons his colored coat once more ("Finale: Any Dream Will Do (Reprise)/Give Me My Colored Coat").

In some productions, the finale is followed by a rock/disco medley of most of the musical's major numbers ("Joseph Megamix").

((Hope you enjoy it! The thread is open for all and sundry - feel free to express your character's reactions to the show right here. As always, though, respect the setting, and whatever you do, have fun!))

Eregor

Date: 2014-03-02 19:55 EST
"Another opening night," Eregor said softly as he listened to the audience gathering from his place in the wings. "Sounds like a good crowd."

"It's a fun show and good for family outings," replied Randal Cummings next to him, in costume and ready as Jacob. Eregor had played that part himself in the past, and thought Randal was better at the role, with a fatherly look that fit perfectly. Plus, he gave some excellent cries of anguish during Those Canaan Days. "Lights are coming down, get ready."

As the house lights dimmed, Eregor heard the faint rustle of costumes as the children moved onstage, with Clarine joining them as the Narrator, and then the show began with lights on them as she sang the Prologue.

Some folks dream of the wonders they'll do Before their time on this planet is through....

It was really a marvelous opening, one of his favorites from any musical; Clarine's voice was charming as she sang, and he smiled as he listened.

But all that I say can be told another way In the story of a boy whose dream came true And he could be you."

The music changed, with the opening notes of the next song, and Eregor stepped into position upstage, still shadowed and facing away from the audience. Then the spotlight hit him and he turned around with a beaming smile.

I closed my eyes, drew back the curtain To see for certain what I thought I knew Far far away, someone was weeping But the world was sleeping Any dream will do!

The show was on.