Comparison of Two Joseph’s Stories in Genesis and Musical

Comparison of Two Joseph’s Stories in Genesis and Musical

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is a very famous musical. It is based on Joseph’s story in Genesis of the Hebrew Bible, so the stories are basically the same; however, actually, there are still some differences between the story in musical and in Bible. As far as I can see, there are three main differences between the two stories.

First of all, I think the two stories have two different purposes. As a commercial film, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”’s original purpose is benefit and entertainment. The author just wants to make up a fascinating story to attract audience. Based on a Bible story, it might attract many followers of religion; however, it is not totally similar to the Bible story, so many audience who are unfamiliar with Bible are also able to understand this story very well. Joseph’s story in the musical is about “dream”, it tries to encourage people to hold their dreams and do not give up. However, Joseph’s story in Bible has a totally different purpose: it is an authoritative revisionary narrative, and aimed to state Israel’s ancestors’ stories. In my opinion, the different purposes case other differences mentioned in the following contents.

Secondly, I think the most distinct difference is that the Joseph’s story in the musical does not mention the God at all; while in the Bible, God plays an important role. As we know, the primary figure of Joseph’s story in Genesis is God. In the whole Joseph account, “even the pettiness of human beings was used by God for a Providential plan” (Joseph, Pg 3). God is always with. He gives Joseph success; he knows everything and plans for Joseph; it is also God who interprets dreams for Joseph. For example, when Joseph was brought down to Egypt, and worked for Potiphar, the Genesis 39 explains the reason why Joseph became the overseer over the house is that it is Jehovah’s plan; but in the musical, it is because he worked harder and so the Potiphar noticed him (Potiphar Lyrics). God in Joseph’s story in Genesis is so important and indispensable, he makes any decision and anything is in his control. According to Lien-yueh Wei, “God's name and action appears about forty times, almost in every plot of the story, in the biblical narrative, but none in this musical” (Joseph in Andrew Webber’s Musical).

Another difference related to God is Joseph’s interpretation. In the Bible, it is not Joseph, but God who is able to interpret dreams. After Joseph was put into the prison, once the Butler and Baker asked the meanings of their dreams, Joseph said, “Don’t dream interpretations belong to God?”(Genesis 40:8). Similarly, God gave Pharaoh a favorable answer and blessed Joseph, so that Joseph could be a leader in Egypt (Genesis 41). In contrast, the Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams is described as