More about Joseph and the
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

DC Players’ production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” November 15 – 18, brings one of the most popular amateur theater pieces to Defiance audiences. It is estimated that the work has been staged by over 20,000 schools and amateur theater groups. The piece was Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s second attempt at writing a musical—the first was never performed. “Joseph” was first done by students at London’s St. Paul’s School. Webber’s father, seeing the promise in the short piece, arranged for a second performance which was reviewed by the London “Sunday Times” as a “pop oratorio.” By the third performance, 1968, in St. Paul’s Cathedral, it had been expanded to 35 minutes.

“Joseph,” however, did not receive wide performance until after the great success of the duo’s second rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Using their new-found success as a promotional vehicle, “Jospeh” was staged at the Edinburgh International Festival in September of 1972. The work did not reach Broadway until January of 1982, where it ran at the Royale Theatre for 749 performances.

The show, which is continuous music without any dialogue, is based on the biblical story of Joseph as found in the Book of Genesis. Narrators tell young people about the power of dreams, and one of the great dreamers, Joseph, in the song “Any Dream Will Do.” The twelve brothers are introduced—twelve brothers who are extremely jealous of their father’s gift of the multi-colored coat to Joseph (“Joseph’s Coat.”) Enslaved to an Egyptian, Joseph ultimately prevails because of his ability to interpret dreams.

In one of the most popular songs of the show, Joseph comes before the Pharaoh to assist him with understanding a vivid dream. In the style of Elvis Presley, the Pharaoh relays a story of seven fat cows, seven skinny cows, seven healthy ears of corn, and seven dead ears of corn. Ultimately, Joseph is elevated to a high position by the Pharaoh and is reunited with his destitute brothers.

In addition to the Elvis style routine by the Pharaoh, the show includes a country-western style piece, “There’s One More Angel in Heaven,” and a faux-French accent piece, “Those Canaan Days.”

Performances are scheduled in the Arts and Media Center, 319 Wayne Avenue, Thursday – Saturday, November 15 – 17 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 18 at 2 p.m. Seating is very limited so seats must be reserved in advance by calling 419 783-2462. Adult admission is $10 and student admission is $8. The show is directed by Ken Neuenschwander with music direction by Janet Lyne.