PROLOGUE
NARRATOR
Some folks dream of the wonders they'll do
Before their time on this planet is through
Some just don't have anything planned
They hide their hopes and their heads in the sand
Now I don't say who is wrong, who is right
But if by chance you are here for the night
Then all I need is an hour or two
To tell the tale of a dreamer like you
We all dream a lot
Some are lucky, some are not
But if you think it, want it, dream it
Then it's real
You are what you feel
But all that I say can be told another way
In the story of a boy who's dream came true
And it could be you
ANY DREAM WILL DO
JOSEPH
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
I wore my coat
With golden lining
Bright color shining
Wonderful and new
And in the East
The dawn was breaking
And the world was waking
Any dream will do
A crash of drums, a flash of light
My golden coat flew out of sight
The colors faded into darkness
I was left alone
May I return to the beginning
The light is dimming
And the dream is too
The world and I
We are still waiting
Still hesitating
Any dream will do
JACOB AND SONS
NARRATOR
Way way back many centuries ago
Not long after the bible began
Jacob 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
Spent all of their days in the fields with sheep
Jacob was the founder of a whole new nation
Thanks to the number of children he had
He was also known as Israel, but most of the time
His sons and his wives used to call him Dad
Jacob, Jacob and sons
Men of the soil, of the sheave and crook
Jacob, Jacob and sons
A remarkable family in anyone's book
Reuben was the eldest of the children of Israel
With Simeon and Levi the next in line
Naphthali and Isaachar with Asher and Dan
Zebulon and Gad took the total to nine
Jacob, Jacob and sons
Benjamin and Judah, which leaves only one
Jacob, Jacob and sons
Joseph Jacob's favorite son
Jacob, Jacob and sons
Jacob, Jacob and sons
Jacob, Jacob and sons
Jacob, Jacob, Jacob
Jacob and sons
JOSEPH'S COAT
JACOB
Joseph's mother she was quite my favorite wife
I never really loved another all my life
And Joseph was my joy beacuse
He reminded me of her
NARRATOR
Through young Joseph Jacob lived his youth again
Loved him praised him, gave him all he could but then
It made the rest feel second best
And even if they were
BROTHERS
Being told we're "also rans"
Does not make us Joseph fans
NARRTOR
But where they have really missed the boat is
BROTHERS
We're great guys, but no one seems to notice
NARRATOR
Joseph's charm and winning smiles
Failed to slay them in the aisles
And their father couldn't see the danger
He could not imagine any danger
He just saw in Joseph all his dreams come true
Jacob wanted to show the world he loved his son
To make it clear that Joseph was the special one
So Jacob bought his son a coat
A multi-colored coat to wear
BROTHERS
Joseph's coat was elegant the cut was fine
The tasteful style was the ultimate in good design
And this is why it caught the eye
A king would stop and stare
JOSEPH
When I got to try it on
I knew my sheepskin days were gone
NARRATOR
Such a dazzling coat of many colors
BROTHERS
How he loved his coat of many colors
In a class above the rest
It even went well with his vest
NARRATOR
Such a stunning coat of many colors
How he loved his coat of many colors
It was red and yellow and green and brown and blue
Joseph's brothers weren't too pleased with what they saw
BROTHERS
We have never liked him all that much before
And now this coat
Has got our goat
We feel life is unfair
NARRATOR
And when Joseph graced the scene
His brothers turned a shade of green
His astounding clothing took the bisquit
BROTHERS
Quite the smoothest person in the district
JOSEPH
I look handsome, I look smart
I am a walking work of art
Such a dazzling coat of many colors
How I love my coat of many colors
NARRATOR AND ALL
It was red and yellow and green and brown
And scarlet and balck and ochre and peach
And ruby and olive and violet and fawn
And lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve
And cream and crimson and silver and rose
And azure and lemon and russet and grey
And purple and white and pink and orange
And red and yellow and green and brown and blue!
JOSEPH'S DREAMS
NARRATOR
Joseph's coat annoyed his brothers
BROTHERS
But what makes us mad
Are the things that Joseph tells us of the dreams he's often had
JOSEPH
I dreamed that in the fields one day
The corn gave me a sign
Your eleven sheaves of corn all turned and bowed to mine
My sheaf was quite a sight to see
A golden sheaf and tall
Yours were green and second-rate and really rather small
BROTHERS
This is not the kind of thing we brothers like to hear
It seems to us that Joseph and his dreams should disappear
JOSEPH
I dreamed I saw eleven stars, the sun and moon and sky
Bowing down before my star
It made me wonder why
Could it be that I was born for higher things than you?
A post in someone's government, a ministry or two?
BROTHERS
The dreams of our dear brother are the decade's biggest yawn
His talk of stars and golden sheaves is just a load of corn
Not only is he tactless but he's also rather dim
For there's eleven of us and there's only one of him
The dreams of course will not come true
That is, we think they won't come true
That is, we hope they won't come true
What if he's right all along?
The dreams are more than crystal clear, the writing on the wall
Means that Joseph some day soon will rise above us all
The accuracy of the dreams we brothers do not know
But one thing we are sure about the dreamer has to go!
POOR, POOR JOSEPH
NARRATOR
Next day far from home the brothers planned the repulsive crime
BROTHERS
Let us grab him now
Do him in while we've got the time
NARRATOR
This they did and made the most of it
Tore his coat and flung him in a pit
BROTHERS
Let us leave him here
All alone and he's bound to die
NARRATOR
When some Ishamaelites
A hairy crew came riding by
In a flash the brothers changes their plan
BROTHERS
We need cash
Let's sell him if we can
CHORUS OF WOMEN
Poor, poor Joseph
What'cha gonna do
Things look bad for you hey, what ya gonna do
BROTHERS
Could you use a slave
You hairy bunch of Ishmaelites
Young, strong, well-behaved, going cheap
An he reads and writes
NARRATOR
In a trice the dirty deal was done
Silver coins for Jacob's favorite son
Then the Ishmaelites galloped off with a slave in tow
Off to Egypt where Joseph was not keen to go
It wouldn't be a picnic he could tell
JOSEPH
And I don't speak Egyptian very well
NARRATOR
Joseph's brothers tore his precious multi-colored coat
Having ripped it up
They next attacked a passing goat
Soon the wretched creature was no more
They dipped his coat in blood and guts and gore
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 slave
Situation grave hey sold to be a slave
ONE MORE ANGEL IN HEAVEN
LEVI
Father, we've something to tell you, a story of our time
A tragic but inspiring tale of manhood in its prime
You know you had a dozen sons
well now that's not quite true
But feel no sorrow, do not grieve, he would not want you to
There's one more angel in Heaven
There's one more star in the sky
Joseph we'll never forget you
It's tough but we're gonna get by
There's one less place at our table
There's one more tear in my eye
But Joseph the things that you stood for
Like truth and light never die
When I think of his last great battle
A lump comes to my throat
It takes a man who knows not fear
To wrastle with a goat
His blood-stained coat is tribute to
His final sacrifice
His body may be past its peak but his soul's in paradise
JACOB
There's one less place at our table
There's one more tear in my eye
LEVI
But Joseph the things that you stood for
Like truth and light never die
BROTHERS
Carve his name with pride and courage
JACOB
Let no tear be shed
BROTHERS
If he had not laid down his life we all would now be dead
POTIPHAR
NARRATOR
Joseph was taken to Egypt in chains and sold
Where he was bought by a captain named Potiphar
NARRATOR AND CHORUS
Potiphar had very few cares
He was one of Egypt's millionaires
Having made a fortune buying shares in
Pyramids
Potiphar had made a huge pile
Owned a large percentage of the nile
POTIPHAR
Meant that I could really live in style
NARRATOR AND CHORUS
And he did
POTIPHAR
I did!
NARRATOR or POTIPHAR
Joseph was an unimportant slave who fopund he liked his master
Consequently worked much harder even with devotion
Potiphar could see that Joseph was a cut above the average
Made him leader of his household
Maximum promotion
NARRATOR AND CHORUS
Potiphar was cool and so fine
But his wife would never tow the line
It's all there in chapter 39 of Genesis
POTIPHAR
Don't believe all that you read
NARRATOR AND CHORUS
She was beautiful but evil
Saw a lot of men against his will
He would have to tell her that she still
Was his
POTIPHAR
You're mine
NARRATOR or POTIPHAR
Joseph's looks and handsome figure had attracted her attention
Every morning she would beckon
POTIPHAR'S WIFE
Come and lie with me love
NARRATOR or POTIPHAR
Joseph wanted to resist her till one day she proved to eager
Joseph cried in vain
JOSEPH
Please stop! I don't believe in free love
POTIPHAR'S WIFE
Pity!
NARRATOR or POTIPHAR
Potiphar was counting sheckels in his den below the bedroom
When he heard a mighty rumpus clattering above him
Suddenly he knew his riches couldn't buy him what he wanted
Gold would never make him happy if she didn't love him
NARRATOR
Letting out a mighty roar
Potiphar burst through the door
POTIPHAR
Joseph, I'll see you rot in jail
The things you have done are beyond the pail
CHORUS OF WOMEN
Poor, poor Joseph locked up in a cell
Thing's ain't going well, hey locked up in a cell
Locked up in a cell
CLOSE EVERY DOOR
JOSEPH
Close every door to me, hide all the world from me
Bar all the windows and shut out the light
Do what you want with me hate me and laugh at me
Darken my daytime and torture my night
If my life was important
I
Would ask will I live or die
But I know the answers lie far from this world
Close every door to me, keep those I love from me
Children of Israel are never alone
For I know I shall find my own peace of mind
For I have been promised a land of my own
CHILDREN
Close every door to me, hide all the world from me
Bar all the windows and shut out the light
La la la la la la (REPEAT)
JOSEPH
Just give me a number instead of my name
Forget all about me and let me decay
I do not matter
I'm only one person
Destroy me completely then throw me away
If my life were important I
Would ask will I live or die
But I know the answers lie far from this world
Close every door to me keep those I love from me
Children of Israel are never alone
For we know we shall find our won peace of mind
For we have been promised a land of our own
GO GO GO JOSEPH
NARRATOR
Joseph's luck was really out, his spirits and his fortune low
Alone he sat, alone he thought of happy times he used to know
Hey dreamer! Don't be so upset
Hey Joseph! You're not beaten yet
Go Go Go Joseph you know what they say
Hang on now Joseph you'll make it one day
Don't give up Joseph fight till you drop
We've read the book and you come out on top
Now into Joseph's prison cell were flung two very frightened men
BAKER & BUTLER
We don't think that we will ever see the light of day again
Hey Joseph! Help us if you can
We've had dreams that we don't understand
NARRATOR
Both men were servants of Pharaoh the king
Both in the doghouse for doing their thing
One was a baker, a cook in his prime
One was a butler, the Jeeves of his time
JOSEPH
Tell me of your dreams my friends
And I will tell you what they show
Though I cannot guarantee to get it right, I'll have a go
NARRATOR
First the butler, trembling, took the floor
Nervously he spoke of what he saw
BUTLER
There I was standing in front of a vine
I picked some grapes and I crushed them for wine
I gave it to Pharaoh who drank from my cup
I tried to interpret but I had to give up
JOSEPH
You will soon be free, my friend, so do not worry any more
The king will let you out of here, you'll buttle as you did before
NARRATOR
Next the baker rose to tell his dream
Hoping it would have a similar theme
BAKER
There I was standing with baskets of bread
High in the sky I saw birds overhead
Who flew to the baskets and ate every slice
Give me the message like his would be nice
JOSEPH
Sad to say your dream is not the kind of dream I'd like to get
Pharaoh has it in for you, your execution date is set
Don't rely on all I say I saw
It's just that I have not been wrong before
NARRATOR AND CHORUS
Go Go Go Joseph you know what they say
Hang on now Joseph you'll make it one day
Go Go Go Joseph you're doing fine
You and your dreamcoat ahead of your time
NARRATOR
Ahead of your time
JOSEPH
Ahead of my time
NARRATOR
Ahead of your time
JOSEPH
Ahead of my time
NARRATOR
Ahead of your time
NARRATOR, JOSEPH AND CHORUS
Ahead of your/my time
END OF ACT I
PHAROAH'S STORY
NARRATOR
Pharoah he was a powerful man
The ancient world in the palm of his hand
To all intents and purposes he was Egypt with a capital "E"
Whatever he did he was showered with praise
If he cracked a joke then you chortled for days
No one had rights of a vote but the King
In fact you might say he was fairly right-wing
When Pharoah's around then you get down on the ground
If you ever find yourself near Rameses
Get down on you knees
HANDMAIDENS
A Pharoah's story, a Pharoah's story
NARRATOR
Down at the other end of the scale
Joseph is still doing time in jail
For eventhough he is in with the guards
A lifetime in prison seems quite in the cards
But if my analysis of the position is right
At the end of the tunnel there's a glimmer of light
For all of a sudden indescribable things
Have shattered the sleep of both peasants and kings
Strange as it seems there's been a run of crazy dreams
And a man who can interpret could go far
Could become a star
HANDMAIDENS
Could be famous, could be a big success
NARRATOR
Could be a star!
POOR, POOR PHAROAH
NARRATOR
Guess what, in his bed
Pharoah had an uneasy night
He had had a dream that pinned him to his sheets with fright
No one knew the meaning of the dream
What to do whatever could it mean
Then his butler said:
BUTLER
I know of a bloke in jail
Who is hot on dreams
Could explain old Pharoah's tale
NARRATOR
Pharoah said:
PHAROAH
Well fetch this Joseph man
I need him to help me if he can
CHORUS
Poor, poor pharoah what'cha gonna do
Dreams are haunting you hey, what'cha gonna do
NARRATOR
Chained and bound afraid, alone
Joseph stood before the throne
JOSEPH
My service to Pharoah has begun
Tell me your problems mighty one
SONG OF THE KING
PHAROAH
Well welcome to Egypt there Joseph
Well I was wonderin along the banks of the river
When seven fat cows came out of the nile
And right behind these fine healthy animals
Came seven other cows that were skinny and vile
Well that thin cows ate the fat cows
Which I thought would do them good
But it didn't make them fatter
Like I thought a monster supper should
The thin cows were as thin as they had ever ever ever ever been
This dream has got me baffled, hey Joseph what does it mean
You know that kings ain's stupid
But I don't have a clue
So don't be cruel Joseph
Help me now I'm begging of you
I was standing doing nothing in a field out of town
When I saw seven beautiful ears of corn
They were ripe, they were golden and you guessed it
Right behind them there were seven other ears
Tattered and torn
Well, the bad corn ate the good corn
Yeah they came up from behind yes they did
But Joseph here's the punch line
It's really gonna blow your mind baby, flip your lid
Because the bad corn was as bad as it had ever ever ever ever been
This dream has got me all shook up
So treat me nice and tell me what it means
Hey hey hey Joseph won't you please tell ole Pharoah
What does it mean? Oh yeah!
JOSEPH
Well I got the bit about the corn, but could you tell me about the cows... one more time.
Mr. Pharoah man please!
PHAROAH
Hey hey hey Joseph won't you please tell ole Pharoah
What does this crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy dream mean? Oh yeah!!
PHAROAH'S DREAM EXPLAINED
JOSEPH
Seven years of bumper crops are on their way
Years of plenty endless wheat and tons of hay
Your farms will bloom, there won't be room
To store the surplus food you grow
After that the future doesn't look so bright
Egypt's luck will change completely overnight
And famine's hand will stalk the land
With food and all-time low
Noble king there is no doubt
What your dreams are all about
All these things you saw in your pajamas
Are a long-range forecast for your farmers
And I'm sure it's crossed your mind
What it is you have to find
Find a man to lead you through the famine
With a flair for economic planning
But who this man could be I just don't know!
CHORUS (IN ROUNDS)
Who this man could I just don't know
JOSEPH
Who this man could be I just don't know
CHORUS
Who this man could I just don't know
JOSEPH AND CHORUS
Who this man could be I just don't know!
STONE THE CROWS
NARRATOR
Pharaoh said --
PHARAOH
Well stone the crows, this Joseph is a clever kid
Who'd have thought that fourteen cows could mean the things he said they did?
Joseph, you must help me further; I have found a job for you
You shall lead us through this crisis -- you shall be my number two
NARRATOR
Pharaoh told his guards to fetch a chisel from the local store
Whereupon he ordered them to cut the chains that Joseph wore
Joseph got a royal pardon and a host of splendid things
A chariot of gold, a cloak, a medal and some signet rings
Joseph -- Pharaoh's number two
Joseph -- Egypt looks to you
Seven summers on the trot were perfect just as Joseph said
Joseph saw that food was gathered ready for the years ahead
Seven years of famine followed. Egypt did not mind a bit
The first recorded rationing in history was a hit
GIRLS
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 you and me
I was wise to have chosen you
You'll be wise to agree
We were in a jam
Would have baffled Abraham
But now we're a partnership it's just a piece of cake
ADORING GIRLS
Greatest man since Noah
Only goes to shoah
JOSEPH
Anyone from anywhere can make it if he gets a lucky break!
NARRATOR
This could be the happy ending, perfect place to stop the show
Joseph after all has got about as far as he can go
But I'm sure that Jacob and his other sons have crossed your mind
How had famine hit the family Joseph left behind?
CANAAN DAYS
REUBEN
Do you remember the good years in Canaan?
The summers were endlessly gold
The fields were a patchwork of clover
The winters were never too cold
We'd stroll down the boulevard together
No hint of this tragic decline
Now the fields are dead and bare
No joie de vivre anywhere
Et maintenant we drink a bitter wine
ALL
Those Canaan days we used to know
Where have they gone? Where did they go?
Eh bien, raise your berets
To those Canaan days
REUBEN
Do you remember those wonderful parties?
The splendour of Canaan's cuisine
Those extravagant, elegant soirees
The gayest the Bible has seen
It's funny but since we lost Joseph
We've gone to the other extreme
No-one comes to dinner now
We'd only eat them anyhow
I even find I'm missing Joseph's dreams
ALL
Those Canaan days we used to know
Where have they gone? Where did they go?
Eh bien, raise your berets
To those Canaan days
REUBEN
It's funny, but since we lost Joseph
We've gone to the other extreme
Perhaps we all misjudged the lad
Perhaps he wasn't quite that bad
And how we miss his entertaining dreams
ALL
Those Canaan days we used to know
Where have they gone? Where did they go?
Eh bien, raise your berets
To those Canaan days
THE BROTHERS IN EGYPT/GROVEL GROVEL
NARRATOR
So back in Canaan the future looked rough
Joseph's family were finding it tough
BROTHERS
For the famine has caught us unprepared
We are thin, we are ill, we are getting scared
It's enough to make anyone weep
We are down to our very last sheep
We will starve if we hang around here
And in Egypt there's food going spare
They've got corn, they've got meat, they've got food and drinks
And if we have the time we could see the Sphinx
NARRATOR
So they finally decided to go
Off to Egypt to see brother Jo
So they all lay before Joseph's feet
BROTHERS
Mighty prince, give us something to eat!
NARRATOR
Joseph found it a strain not to laugh because
Not a brother among them knew who he ws
JOSEPH
I shall now take them all for a ride
After all they have tried fratricide
I dreamed that in the fields one day, the corn gave me a sign
Your eleven sheaves of corn all turned and bowed to mine
I dreamed I saw eleven stars, the sun and moon and sky
Bowing down before my star -- and now I realize why
How do I know where you come from? You could be spies
Telling me that you are hungry -- that could be lies
How 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
Grovel, grovel, cringe, bow, stoop, fall
Worship, worship, beg, kneel, sponge, crawl
We are just eleven brothers, good men and true
Though we know we count for nothing when up next to you
Honesty's our middle name
Life is slowly ebbing from us, hope's almost gone
It's getting very hard to see us from sideways on
Grovel, grovel, cringe, bow, stoop, fall
Worship, worship, beg, kneel, sponge, crawl
JOSEPH
I rather like the way you're talking, astute and sincere
Suddenly your tragic story gets me right here
BROTHERS
This is what we hoped you'd say
JOSEPH
All this tugging at my heartstrings seems quite justified
I shall give you what you came for and lots more beside
BROTHERS
Thank you, thank you, cringe, bow, stoop, fall
Worship, worship, beg, kneel, sponge, crawl
NARRATOR
Joseph handed them sackloads of food
And they grovelled with base gratitude
Then, unseen, Joseph nipped out around the back
And planted a cup in young Benjamin's sack
When the brothers were ready to go
Joseph turned to them all with a terrible stare and said
No! No! No! No! No!
Stop! You robbers -- your little number's up!
One of you has stolen my precious golden cup!
NARRATOR
Joseph started searching through his brothers' sacks
Everyone was nervous, no-one could relax
Who's the thief? Who's the thief?
Is it Reuben? No!
Is it Simeon? No!
Is it Napthali? No!
Is it Dan? No!
Is it Asher? No!
Is it Isaachar? No!
Is it Levi? No!
Who's the man?
Is it Zebulun? No!
Is it Gad? No!
Is it Judah? No!
Is it him? Could it be, could it be, could it possibly be -- Benjamin?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
JOSEPH
Benjamin, you nasty youth, your crime has shocked me to the core
Never in my whole career have I encountered this before
Guards, seize him! Lock him in a cell!
Throw the key into the Nile as well!
HANDMAIDENS
Each of the brothers fell to his knees
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
BENJAMIN CALYPSO
ALL
Oh no -- not he
How you can accuse him is a mystery
Save him -- take me
Benjamin is straighter dan de tall palm tree
NAPHTHALI
I hear de steel drums sing dere song
Dey singing man you know you got it wrong
I hear de voice of de yellow bird
Singing in de tree dis is quite absurd
ALL
Oh yes -- it's true
Benjamin is straighter dan de big bamboo
No ifs, no buts
Benjamin is honest as coconuts
NAPHTHALI
Sure as de tide wash de golden sand
Benjamin is an innocent man
Sure as bananas need de sun
We are de criminal guilty ones
ALL
Oh no -- not he
How you can accuse him is a mystery
Save him -- take me
Benjamin is straighter dan de tall palm tree
CHORUS
Each of the brothers fell to his knees
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
JOSEPH ALL THE TIME
NARRATOR
And 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, is me?
BROTHERS
Joseph! Joseph! Is it really true?
Joseph! Joseph! Is it really you?
Joseph! Joseph!
NARRATOR
So Jacob came to Egypt, no longer feeling old
And Joseph went to meet him in his chariot of gold
FINALE/ANY DREAM WILL DO
JOSEPH
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
I wore my coat with golden lining
Bright colors shining, wonderful and new
And in the east, the dawn was breaking
And the world was waking
Any dream will do
A crash of drums, a flash of light
My golden coat flew out of sight
The colors faded into darkness
I was left alone
JOSEPH AND NARRATOR
May I return to the beginning
The light is dimming, and the dream is too
The world and I, we are still waiting
Still hesitating
Any dream will do
ALL
Give me my colored coat, my amazing colored coat!
Give me my colored coat, my amazing colored coat!
