How well do you know Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat? Test your knowledge of this iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, which has entertained audiences for decades with its vibrant storytelling and unforgettable songs. From its humble beginnings as a 15-minute pop cantata to becoming a global sensation, this musical has a fascinating history. Discover trivia about key performances, famous actors, and little-known facts that have shaped the legacy of Joseph around the world.
Adaptations
- On April 12, 2023, it was announced that Amazon MGM Studios acquired the film rights for a narrative feature film adaptation of 'Joseph' to be directed by Jon M. Chu, considered his passion project.
- The 1999 direct-to-video film adaptation of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' featured a cast including Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, and Richard Attenborough.
International Productions
- The 1992 Toronto production featured Donny Osmond as Joseph, who played the role for more than five years.
- An Irish production of Joseph began in 1974 in Dublin at the Olympia Theatre, featuring Tony Kenny in the title role.
- The 1973 West End production at the Albery Theatre ran for 243 performances.
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was first performed in the United States in May 1970 at Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in New York City.
- The world professional premiere of "Joseph" took place at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1972, in an ice rink.
Musical Composition
- Decca Records released the first recording of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' in 1969, credited to the Joseph Consortium.
- The musical originated as a 15-minute "pop cantata" initially performed in 1968 at Colet Court School in London.
- 'Any Dream Will Do' was added at the beginning of the show during the 1991 revival, changing the title of the closing version to distinguish it.
- The song 'Prologue' was first included in the 1982 Broadway production of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'.
- Lloyd Webber and Rice composed 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' with a diverse set of musical styles, parodying various genres like French ballads, Elvis-themed rock, Country/Western music, and 1970s go-go.
- In 1971, a 32-minute recording with 19 tracks was released in the US by Scepter Records, reissued from the 1969 Decca UK album.
Notable Tours
- A major revival in 1991 at the London Palladium starred Jason Donovan, and its cast album reached the #1 spot on the UK album charts for two weeks in September 1991.
- By 2008, more than 20,000 schools and amateur theatre groups had staged productions of the musical, according to the Really Useful Group.
- The 2007 West End revival and several UK tours featured the song 'King of My Heart', a new addition performed by Pharaoh.
- The UK touring production during 1983–87 included an additional song 'I Don't Think I'm Wanted Back at Home' which was not part of the original score.
- In 2024, Donny Osmond will be starring as Pharaoh in the 'Joseph' musical's limited Christmas season at the Edinburgh Playhouse, showcasing his continued involvement in musical theatre.
Production Facts
- Sheridan Smith, well known for her work in television and musical theatre, took on the role of Narrator for Joseph's 50th-anniversary production.
- A direct-to-video film version of the musical starred Donny Osmond and was released in 1999.
- The 1999 film version of 'Joseph' aired on PBS in the series 'Great Performances' and included Robert Torti reprising his role as Pharaoh from the 1993 Broadway production.
- The character of Pharaoh in the original musical recording was played by Tim Rice, who is also the lyricist of the show.
- "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" saw its Broadway debut in 1982.
- The 50th anniversary concert production of 'Joseph' at Lincoln Center in 2020 featured a high-profile cast with over 300 singers accompanied by the New York City Chamber Orchestra.
- The first full modern performance of the musical was held in 1974 at the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester.
- Jac Yarrow, who played Joseph in the 50th-anniversary production at the Palladium, was actually still a drama school student when cast in this prestigious role.
- The 2019 production of Joseph at the London Palladium to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary featured a star-studded cast with Sheridan Smith and Jac Yarrow.
- Steven Pimlott, who originally directed the production, had passed away by the time he was to direct Joseph again in 2007, although his original direction was used.
- In December 2002, a new production starring Stephen Gately previewed in Oxford before moving to the West End in March 2003.
- A revival of 'Joseph' was held at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway in 1993, featuring Michael Damian as Joseph, and ran for 231 performances.
- "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" was the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be performed publicly.
- The 1982 Broadway production received six Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
- 'Joseph' was presented at the Ediburgh Festival by the Young Vic Theatre in 1972, starring Gary Bond and directed by Frank Dunlop
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