Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Column for the week of March 17-23, 2002

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Andrew Lloyd Webber has had an illustrious career. His musical, Cats, was purr-fectly charming. Phantom of the Opera was phan-tastic. But if your whole family wants to have a-mighty good time, go see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It's playing at the Center for the Performing Arts with the American Musical Theater of San Jose. I fell in love with that show the first time I saw it about 10 years ago in London and it's still a delight! Whether I watch little kids, community theater companies, or professionals do it, I just love it!

Of course it takes creative license with the Biblical account in Genesis (Genesis 37 - 47), but it also breathes life into a Bible story, brings it into the twentieth century, and quite possibly peaks the interest of young people so they might want to learn more about these things that are written in the Bible. In fact, it was originally written as a fifteen-minute cantata for children to perform at a school in London in 1968. Eventually Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) expanded it into a full-blown musical. Now all ages enjoy the timeless tale.

I can hum the melodies for you but you won't be able to hear them so let me at least give you a synopsis of the story in Tim Rice's words.

Jacob had 12 sons but his favorite was Joseph. He loved Joseph so much that he had a coat of many colors made for him. Joseph liked to show it off in a sort of "I've got a coat and you don't" attitude.

This didn't set too well with his brothers.

To top it off, Joseph had these dreams that he could interpret. He kept telling his brothers that one day they would all bow down to him.

Joseph, not being the brightest bulb in the socket, just wouldn't shut up about these things.

The brothers plotted to get rid of Joseph.

So they sold Joseph to some Midianite traders. They took his coat of many colors, spread some goat's blood on it, took it back to Daddy Jacob and said he was killed by a wild beast. Meantime Joseph ended up in Egypt as a servant to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharoah.

Potiphar trusted Joseph and gave him much responsibility. However, Pothiphar's wife wanted Joseph, if you know what I mean. She tempted him day and night.

Joseph resisted her but she got mad and lied to her husband about him, so he ended up in prison.

While in jail, some inmates had some dreams that Joseph interpreted.

Then the king had some dreams about cows that troubled him, his butler suggested that prisoner, Joseph, might be able to help.

So the King called for Joseph. Joseph told him the dreams meant that there would be years of plenty and then years of famine. The King would need to store up during the good years to be ready for the bad years.

The King needed someone to organize this and be his second in command. Guess whom he chose?

Meanwhile, Joseph's old homestead, Canaan, has been hit hard by the famine. The brothers lament.

They heard that food was plentiful in Egypt so off they went. Joseph recognized his brothers but they didn't recognize him. They asked for food.

It seems Joseph's dreams about his brothers came true. Joseph held no grudges, though. This thing was God's will. He was happy to be reunited with his kin and be able to provide for them.

Amazing? You bet. And it's in the Bible right along side many other amazing stories. Sometimes we just need someone to see it in Technicolor and bring it alive!

©March 2002

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bydahlgren@aol.com.