St. Agnes academy

Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Adaptation

Dr. Tatjana Surev

1/15/2015

Joseph-ine and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat

In front of the curtain.

Narrator 1: We all dream a lot - some are lucky, some are notBut if you think it, want it, dream it, then it's real.You are what you feel! Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the story of a boy whose dream came true.

Narrator 2: The story of this play is based on the Biblical story of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis. Joseph, the youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons is a dreamer and his brothers are jealous of him.

Song: Prologue (from the audience)

Some folks dream of the wonders they'll doBefore their time on this planet is throughSome just don't have anything plannedThey hide their hopes and their heads in the sandNow I don't say who is wrong, who is rightBut if by chance you are here for the nightThen all I need is an hour or twoTo tell the tale of a dreamer like you We all dream a lot - some are lucky, some are notBut if you think it, want it, dream it, then it's realYou are what you feel

But all that I say can be told another wayIn the story of a boy whose dream came true

(All children are on the stage or on the risers on the side and music for Any Dream will do starts. Joseph enters and mix with them singing the song)

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Any Dream Will Do

Joseph: I closed my eyes, drew back the curtainTo see for certain what I thought I knewFar, far away, someone was weepingBut the world was sleepingAny dream will do

Joseph & Children: I wore my coat, with golden liningBright colors shining, wonderful and newAnd in the east, the dawn was breakingAnd the world was wakingAny dream will do

Joseph A crash of drums, a flash of lightMy golden coat flew out of sightThe colors faded into darknessI was left alone

Joseph & Children May I return to the beginningThe light is dimming, and the dream is tooThe world and I, we are still waitingStill hesitatingAny dream will do

Joseph A crash of drums, a flash of lightMy golden coat flew out of sightThe colors faded into darknessI was left alone

Joseph & Children May I return to the beginningThe light is dimming, and the dream is tooThe world and I, we are still waitingStill hesitatingAny dream will do.

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Two actor dialogue in front of the curtain:

Actor 1: Way, way back many centuries ago,Actor 2: Not long after the Bible beganActor 1: Jacob lived in the land of Canaan,Actor 2: A fine example of a family man.Actor 1: Jacob and sons, depended on farming to earn their

keep.Actor 2: Jacob and sons, spend all of his days in the fields

with sheep. Actor 1: Jacob was the founder of a whole new nationActor 2: Thanks to the number of children he hadActor 1: He was also known as Israel, but most of the timeActor 2: His sons and his wives used to call him Dad.Actor 1: Jacob and sons, men of the soil, of the sheaf and

crookActor 2: Jacob and sons, a remarkable family in anyone's book.

OPEN THE CURTAIN (Jacob and his sons on the stage)

Song: Jacob and Sons

Way, way back many centuries ago,Not long after the Bible beganJacob lived in the land of Canaan,A fine example of a family man.Jacob, Jacob and sons,Depended on farming to earn their keep.Jacob, Jacob and sons,Spend all of his days in the fields with sheep. Jacob was the founder of a whole new nationThanks to the number of children he hadHe was also known as Israel, but most of the timeHis sons and his wives used to call him Dad.Jacob, Jacob and sons,Men of the soil, of the sheaf and crookJacob, Jacob and sons,A remarkable family in anyone's book.

Jacob, Jacob and sonsJacob, Jacob and sonsJacob, Jacob and sonsJacob Jacob JacobJacob and Sons

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Jacob: Joseph, come here! … Joseph, you know I loved your mother very much, she was quite my favorite wife. I never really loved another all my life and Joseph you are my joy because you reminds me of her.

On the other side of stage the brothers are jealously gathering:

Reuben: Dad loves him, praises him, gave him all he could, but then It made the rest of us feel second best.

Simeon: All this does not makes us Joseph fans.

Levi: We're great guys but no-one seems to notice.

Narrator 3:Joseph's charm and winning smileFailed to slay them in the aisleAnd his father couldn't see the dangerHe could not imagine any dangerHe just saw in Joseph all his dreams come true Jacob wanted to show the world he loved his sonTo make it clear that Joseph was the special oneSo Jacob bought his son a coatA multi-colored coat to wear.

Judah: Look now at that coat!

Dan: It is elegant, the cut is fine, the tasteful style was the ultimate in good design. A king would stop and stare!

Naphtali: Now in a class above the rest, it even went well with his vest such a stunning coat of many colors!

Narrator 4: How Joseph loved his coat of many colorsIt was red and yellow and green and brown and blue Joseph's brothers weren't too pleased with what they saw.

Gad: I have never liked him and now this coat! I feel life is unfair!!

Narrator 5: And when Joseph graced the scene his brothers turned a shade of green.

Asher: Quite the smoothest person in the district!!!

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Joseph: I look handsome, I look smart,I am walking work of artSuch a dazzling coat of colorsHow I love my coat of many colors

Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin among themselves shouting:

It is red and yellow and green and brownAnd scarlet and black and ochre and peach

And ruby and olive and violet and fawnAnd lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve

And cream and crimson and silver and roseAnd azure and lemon and russet and grey

And purple and white and pink and orangeAnd red and yellow and green and brown andScarlet and black and ochre and peach ………

Joseph and Jacob leave the stage.

Reuben: What makes me rely mad are the things that Joseph tells us of the dream's he often had.

Asher: This is not the kind of thing we brothers like to hear! It seems to me that Joseph and his dreams should disappear.

Levi: There are eleven of us and there is only one of him The dreams of course will not come true.

Zebulun: That is, we think they won't come trueWhat if he's right all along?

Judah: The dreams are more than crystal clear, Joseph someday soonWill rise above us all.

Dan: The accuracy of the dreams we brothers do not knowBut one thing we are sure about the dreamer –

All brothers: Has to go!!!

Close the curtain!!!!

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Narrator 6: To get rid of Joseph and make the dreams not come true, the brothers sell him as a slave to some passing Ishmaelites who in turn take him to Egypt.

Choir: Song Poor, Poor Joseph

Poor, poor Joseph, what'cha gonna do?Things look bad for you, hey, what'cha gonna do?Poor, poor Joseph, what'cha gonna do?Things look bad for you, hey, what'cha gonna do?

Oh now brothers, how low can you stoop?You make a sordid group, hey, how low can you stoop?Poor, poor Joseph, sold to be a slaveSituation's grave, hey, sold to be a slave.

Narrator 7: Back home, his brothers, 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.

Narrator 8: Joseph was taken to Egypt in chains and sold,where he was bought by Egyptian millionaire Potiphar. He rises through the ranks of slaves and servants until he is running Potiphar's house. His lack was not for long. Potiphar jails Joseph because of his mean wife.

Ensemble & Children: Refrein

Poor, poor Joseph, locked up in a cellThings ain't going well, hey, locked up in a cellPoor, poor Joseph, locked up in a cellThings ain't going well, hey, locked up in a cellLocked up in a cell

Open the curtain:

Joseph SONG: Close Every Door

Joseph

Close every door to me,Hide all the world from meBar all the windows

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And shut out the lightDo what you want with me,Hate me and laugh at meDarken my daytimeAnd toture my nightIf my life were important IWould ask will I live or dieBut I know the answers lieFar from this world Close every door to me,Keep those I love from meChildren of IsraelAre never aloneFor I know I shall findMy own peace of mindFor I have been promisedA land of my own

Children

Close every door to me,Hide all the world from meBar all the windowsAnd shut out the light

Joseph

Just give me a numberInstead of my nameForget all about meAnd let me decayI do not matter,I'm only one personDestroy me completelyThen throw me away If my life were important IWould ask will I live or dieBut I know the answers lieFar from this world

Joseph, Ensemble & Children

Close every door to me,Keep those I love from meChildren of Israel

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Are never aloneFor we know we shall findOur own peace of mind For we have been promisedA land of our own

Close the curtain.

Narrator 5: Joseph is depressed in jail 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.

Pharaoh Story

Narrator

Pharaoh, he wasA powerful manWith the ancient worldIn the palm of his handTo all intents and purposes heWas Egypt with a capital EWhatever he didHe was showered with praiseIf he cracked a jokeThen you chortled for daysNo-one had rights or aVote but the kingIn fact you might sayHe was fairly right-wing When Pharaoh's around,Then you get down on the groundIf you ever find yourself near RamasesGet down on your knees

Female Ensemble & Children

A Pharaoh's story,A Pharaoh's storyA Pharaoh's story,A Pharaoh's story.

Narrator

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Down at the otherEnd of the scaleJoseph is stillDoing time in jailFor even though he isIn with the guardsA lifetime in prisonSeems quite on the cardsBut if my analysis ofThe position is rightAt the end of the tunnelThere's seems a glimmer of lightFor all of a suddenIndescribable thingsHave shattered the sleepOf both peasants and kings Strange as it seems,There's been a run of crazy dreamsAnd a man who can interpretCould go far - could become a star

Female Ensemble & Children

Could be famous,Could be a big successCould be famous,Could be a big success

Narrator

Strange as it seemsThere's been aRun of crazy dreamsAnd a man who can interpretCould go farCould become a star

Narrator & Ensemble

Could be famous,Could be a big successCould be famous,Could be a big success Strange as it seemsThere's been a

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Run of crazy dreamsAnd a man who can interpretCould go far AhCould become a starCould be famous,Could be a big successCould be famous,Could be a star

Narrator 6: Pharaoh, the most powerful man in Egypt, is having dreams that no one can interpret. Butler, who was in prison together with Joseph but now freed, tells Pharaoh of Joseph and his dream interpretation skills. Pharaoh orders Joseph to be brought in.

Open the curtain – the Pharaoh scene.

Pharaoh: Fetch this Joseph man, I need him to help me if he can!

Narrator 7: Chained and bound, afraid, alone, Joseph stood before the throne.

Joseph: My service to Pharaoh has begun Tell me your problems, mighty one!

Song of the Pharaoh: Song of the King (Seven Fat Cows)

Pharaoh & Ensemble Well I was wandering along by the banks of the riverWhen seven fat cows came up out of the Nile, uh-huhAnd right behind these fine healthy animals cameSeven other cows, skinny and vile, uh-huh Well the thin cows ate the fat cows which IThought would do them good, uh-huhBut it didn't make them fatter like suchA monster supper should

Well the thin cows were as thinAs they had ever, ever, ever beenWell this dream has got me baffledHey, Joseph, won't you tell me what it means?

Well you know that kings ain't stupidBut I don't have a clueSo don't be cruel Joseph

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Help me I beg of you

Well I was standing doing nothing in a field out of townWhen I saw seven beautiful ears of corn, uh-huhThey were ripe, they were golden andYou've guessed it,Right behind them came seven other earsTattered and torn, uh-huh

Well the bad corn ate the good cornThey came up from behind yes they didNow Joseph here's the punch lineIt's really gonna blow your mind

Well the bad corn wasAs bad as it had ever, ever, ever beenWell this dream has got me all shook upTreat me nice and tell me what it means

Hey, hey, hey JosephWon't you tell poor old PharaohWhat does this crazy dream mean? Oh yeah

Joseph: MMMMMMM …… Here it is Mr. Pharaoh!Noble king, there is no doubtWhat your dreams are all aboutAll these things you saw in your pajamasAre a long-range forecast for your farmers.

Seven years of bumper crops are on their wayYears of plenty, endless wheat and tons of hayYour farms will boom, there won't be roomTo store the surplus food you grow.

After that, the future doesn't look so brightEgypt's luck will change completely overnightAnd famine's hand will stalk the landWith food an all-time low.

And I'm sure it's crossed your mindWhat it is you have to findFind a man to lead you through the famineWith a flair for economic planningBut who this man could be I just don't know

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Ensemble:

Who this man could bewe just don't knowWho this man could bewe just don't know.

Pharaoh: Get the chisel from the store and cut his chains. I, Pharaoh, pardon you and Egypt looks to you.

Narrator 8: 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.

Narrator 9 : Seven summers on the trot were perfect just as Joseph said. Joseph saw that food was gathered ready for the years ahead.

Girls only: Joseph how can we ever say All that we want to about you We're so glad that you came our way We would have perished without you!

Pharaoh: Joseph we are the perfect team Old buddies, that's you and me I was wise to have chosen you You'll be wise to agree.

Joseph: Anyone from anywhere can make it If they get a lucky break!

Close the curtain.

Narrator 10: Seven years of famine followed, Egypt didn't mind a bit The first recorded rationing in history was a hit.

Narrator 11: This could be a happy ending, perfect place to stop the show. Joseph after all has gone about as far as he can go.

Narrator 12:But I'm sure that Jacob and his other sons have crossed your mind how had famine hit the family

Joseph left behind?

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Narrator 13: Back home, the famine had caught up with Joseph's brothers, who, express regret at selling him and deceiving their father. They hear Egypt has food and decide to go there to beg for food and mercy, not realizing whom they will be dealing with.

Open the curtain. The brothers on the stage.

SONG: Those Canaan Days

Simeon

Do you remember the good years in Canaan?The summers were endlessly goldThe fields were a patchwork of cloverThe winters were never too coldWe'd stroll down the boulevards togetherAnd everything round us was fine

Jacob

Now the fields are dead and bareNo joie de vivre anywhereEt maintenant we drink a bitter wine

Brothers

Those Canaan days we used to knowWhere have they gone, where did they go?Eh bien, raise your beretsTo those Canaan days

Simeon

Do you remember those wonderful parties?The splendor of Canaan's cuisineOur extravagant, elegant soireesThe gayest the Bible has seen It's funny but since we lost JosephWe've gone to the other extremeNo-one comes to dinner nowWe only eat them anyhowI even find I'm missing Joseph's dreams

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Brothers

Those Canaan days we used to knowWhere have they gone, where did they go?Eh bien, raise your beretsTo those Canaan days Simeon

It's funny but since we lost JosephWe've gone to the other extremePerhaps we all misjudged the ladPerhaps he wasn't quite that badAnd how we miss his entertaining dreams

Brothers

Those Canaan days we used to knowWhere have they gone, where did they go?Eh bien, raise your berets

Simeon

To those Canaan days

Brothers

Eh bien, raise your beretsTo those Canaan days

All brothers come in front of the curtain. Close the curtain.

Narrator 14: In Canaan the future looked roughJacob's family was finding it tough.

Zebulun: For the famine has caught us unprepared we are thin.Dan: We are ill!!Naphtali: We are getting scared!Gad: It's enough to make anyone weepIssachar: We are down to our very last sheep Reuben: We will starve if we hang around here Zebulun: But in Egypt there's food going spare Asher: They've got corn,

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Benjamin: They've got meatJudah: They've got fruit and drinks

Simeon: And if we have the time we could see the Sphinx.Levi: Yes, we go.

Narrator 15: So they finally decided to go Off to Egypt to see brother Jo.

Open curtain. Joseph and the children on the stage. The brothers approach.

Brothers: Mighty prince, give us something to eat!!

To the audience -Joseph: Wow, it is hard not to laugh!! My brothers do not recognize me. I shall now take them all for a ride after all they have tried fratricide!!

To the brothers:

How do I know where you came from?You could be spiesTelling me that you are hungry -That could be liesHow do I know who you are?Why do you think I should help you?Would you help me?Why on earth should I believe you?I've no guarantee

Brothers: We are just eleven brothers, good men and true Though we know we count for nothing when up next to you

Honesty's are middle name life is slowly ebbing from us, Hope's almost gone it's getting very hard.

Joseph: I like the way you're talking, astute and sincere Suddenly your tragic story it gets me right here.

Brothers: This is what we hoped he'd say

Joseph: I shall give you what you came for and lots more beside

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Brothers: Thank you, thank you,….

Narrator 16: Joseph gives them food and sends them on their way, but plants a golden cup into the sack of his brother Benjamin. When the brothers were ready to go Joseph turned to them all with a terrible stare and said:

Joseph: No No No No No Stop, you robbers - Your little number's up One of you has stolen my precious golden cup!!!

Children

Who's the thief?Who's the thief?Is it Reuben? No.Is it Simeon? No.Is it Naphtali? No.Is it Dan? No.Is it Asher? No.Is it Isaachar? No.Is it Levi? No.Who's the man? No.Is it Zebulun? No.Is it Gad? No.Is it Judah? No.Is it him?

Narrator 17:

Could it possibly be Banjamin?

Children: Yes. Yes. Yes.

Joseph: Benjamin, you nasty youth, your crime has shocked me to the coreNever in my whole careerHave I encountered this beforeGuards, seize him! Lock him in a cellThrow the key into the Nile as well.

Brothers: Show him some mercy, oh mighty one please He would not do this, he must have been framed Jail us and beat us, we should be blamed.

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SONG: Benjamin Calypso

Brothers

Oh no - not heHow can you accuse him is a mysterySave him - take meBenjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree

Judah

I hear the steel drums sing their songThey're singing man you know you've got it wrongI hear the voice of the yellow birdSinging in the tree this is quite absurd Oh yes

Brothers Oh yes

Judah It's true

Brothers It's true

Judah Benjamin is straighter than the big bambooNo ifs

Brothers No ifs

Judah No buts

Brothers No buts

Judah Benjamin is honest as coconuts Sure as the tide wash the golden sandBenjamin is an innocent manSure as bananas need the sun

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We are the criminal guilty ones

Oh no

Brothers & Female Ensemble Oh no

Judah Not he

Brothers & Female Ensemble Not heHow you can accuse him is a mystery

Judah Save him

Brothers & Female Ensemble Save him

Judah Take me

Brothers & Female Ensemble Take meBenjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree

Judah, Brothers & Female Ensemble Oh noNot heHow can you accuse him is a mysterySave himTake meBenjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree

Judah

Sure as the tide wash the golden sandBenjamin is an innocent manSure as bananas need the sunWe are the criminal guilty ones Oh no

Brothers & Female Ensemble Oh no

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Judah Not he

Brothers & Female Ensemble Not he

Judah & Female Ensemble How you can accuse him is a mystery

Judah Save him

Brothers & Female Ensemble Save him

Judah Take me

Judah, Brothers & Female Ensemble Take meBenjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree Oh no - not heHow can you accuse him is a mysterySave him - take meLa la la la la la la

Narrator 18: Joseph knew by this his brothers now were honest men The time had come at last to reunite them all again. Joseph: Can't you recognize my face? Is it hard to see

That Joseph, who you thought was dead, your brother It's me?

Brothers: Joseph, Joseph, is it really true?Children: Joseph, Joseph, is it really you?

Joseph: My brothers!!! You are forgiven!! I love you!

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Song: Finale

Joseph I closed my eyes, drew back the curtainTo see for certain what I thought I knewFar far away, someone was weepingBut the world was sleepingAny dream will do

Joseph & Children I wore my coat, with golden liningBright colours shining, wonderful and newAnd in the east, the dawn was breakingAnd the world was wakingAny dream will do

Joseph A crash of drums Narrator A flash of light Joseph My golden coat flew out of sight

Joseph & Narrator The colors faded into darknessI was left alone

Joseph & Narrator & Children May I return to the beginningThe light is dimming, and the dream is tooThe world and I, we are still waitingStill hesitating, any dream will doStill hesitating, any dream will do

Full Company May I return to the beginningThe light is dimming, and the dream is tooThe world and I, we are still waitingStill hesitating, any dream will do Give me my colored coat,My amazing colored coat

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