Chalice Theatre Spring Production

Bedazzling colors will drench Fellowship Hall as UUCA’s Chalice Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a fun, family-friendly, pop-opera which tells a wonderful biblical story with playfulness, humor, and heart. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose later collaborations produced Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, the musical began as a 15-minute pop cantata at Colet Court School in London in 1968. It was expanded over subsequent years, eventually opening on Broadway in 1982 as the fully produced musical that is performed enthusiastically around the world today. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat received several Tony nominations including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Based on the story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors in the biblical book of Genesis, the show is a fully sung mini-opera, with no spoken dialogue. Unlike traditional opera, however, the music is presented in a playful and dazzling array of styles, including Calypso, Disco, Rock-n-Roll, Western Cowboy, French Chanson and more. The narrator tells us of Joseph, the favorite of his father Jacob’s twelve sons. To show his love for Joseph, Jacob gives him a beautiful multi-colored coat. This expression of favoritism causes much resentment among the brothers and they set out to betray Joseph and deceive their father by faking Joseph’s death and selling him into a life of slavery in Egypt.

Joseph has a special gift which enables him to interpret dreams. Because of this gift, his fortunes change and he eventually finds himself a trusted adviser of the Pharaoh. Joseph interprets the Pharaoh’s dreams and predicts a period of plenty followed by harsh famine. During this famine, the struggling brothers, who now feel remorse for their terrible act, travel to Egypt from their home in Canaan in search of food. Not recognizing Joseph in his elevated position, the brothers grovel and beg before him. Joseph, still hurt by his brothers’ harsh treatment, accuses Brother Benjamin of stealing from him and the brothers leap to Benjamin’s defense in selfless honor. Witnessing this act of honor and courage, Joseph realizes the brothers are changed men and reveals his identity to them. Everyone rejoices and Joseph sends for his father. Happily reunited with his family, Joseph sings of his dreams and once again wears his coat of many colors.

The UUCA cast that will bring this colorful story to life is an intimate, multi-generational group of singers, actors and dancers. The casting is non-traditional, and the audience will see women and girls playing the roles of the brothers and actors of all ages working together in community. The universal themes of struggle against adversity and prejudice are central to this enduring story and teach us the powerful healing abilities of love and forgiveness.