Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Spring 1988

 

Music By: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by: Tim Rice

In 1968, a relatively unknown young composer named Andrew Lloyd Webber was commissioned by the head of music at a small prep school to write something for an end of term concert. Looking for ideas, he flipped through the Old Testament and came upon the story of Jacob and his many sons. The favorite son was Joseph, whom Jacob gave a coat of many colors. In their jealousy, the other brothers sought to dispose of the favorite. The trials and tribulations on both sides of the feud unfold, until it all ends in one big happy ending. The show went through many different versions, from the original 15-minute show to the 1991 London revival that was a two-act, two-hour version. The first big run of the show began in January 1982, and ran for 747 performances in the Royale Theater on Broadway.