Synopsis

Narrator tells us we are about to hear the story of a person like any one of us - a dreamer - whose dreams came true (PROLOGUE). We jump back to Biblical times and meet Jacob, who had twelve sons of whom Joseph was his favorite (JACOB AND SONS). To show his love for Joseph, Jacob gives him a multi-coloured coat (JOSEPH'S COAT). Joseph's brothers resent the favoritism and the fact that Joseph has high aspirations (JOSEPH'S DREAMS). Fraught with jealousy, the brothers throw him in a pit and are going to leave him there when they are approached by the Ishmaelites. They change their minds and sell Joseph off to slavery in Egypt, telling their father he had been killed by a goat (POOR POOR JOSEPH / ONE MORE ANGEL IN HEAVEN).

In Egypt, Joseph works for POTIPHAR and manages to achieve great heights by working very hard.
But when Potiphar's wife tries
to seduce Joseph and they are caught together,
Joseph is thrown into prison
(POOR POOR JOSEPH / CLOSE EVERY DOOR).
Everything seems to be lost
but Joseph's hope is rekindled
when he interprets the dreams
of two other prisoners - the Pharaoh's Butler and Baker (GO GO GO JOSEPH). Up at the palace,
Pharaoh is having some very strange dreams
himself (PHARAOH STORY / POOR POOR PHARAOH).
The butler, now freed, remembers Joseph
and tells the king of
his interpratative powers.
Pharaoh sends for Joseph
and the dreams are explained
(SONG OF THE KING / PHARAOH'S DREAMS EXPLAINED)
There is going to be a period of
plenty in the land, followed by a harsh famine
Pharaoh is impressed by Joseph and makes
him his second in command (STONE THE CROWS).

Back in Canaan, the future looks rough.
Jacob's family is finding it tough,
remembering the good times they once had
(THOSE CANAAN DAYS). Deciding the cannot
live on what they have,
THE BROTHERS GO TO EGYPT to ask for food.
They appear before
Joseph and do not recognise him.
Joseph makes them GROVEL,
and then accuses Benjamin of stealing
his precious golden cup (WHO'S THE THIEF?).
The brothers leap to his defence (BENJAMIN CALYPSO)
and Joseph sees they are changed men.
He reveals himself (JOSPEH ALL THE TIME).
Everyone rejoices and Jacob is
happy to be reunited with his beloved son
(JACOB IN EGYPT). Joseph sings of his dreams
once more and displays an even more fabulous
technicolor dreamcoat
(ANY DREAM WILL DO/GIVE ME MY COLORED COAT)