For well over 50 years the Putnam County Playhouse has offered residents and visitors the chance to experience and participate in live theatre. Feeding off of the DePauw University theatre program, Greencastle has always had an abundance of live performances to choose from. After a few renovations in the mid-90’s the Hazel Day Longden Barn Theatre is an updated, incredible space to visit and experience. Below is the synopsis of “Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”:
Joseph is the son of Jacob and one of twelve brothers. He is given a coat of many colors by his father, which is symbolic of his favor and an object of his brothers’ jealousy. The brothers decide to sell Joseph into slavery after initially plotting to have him killed. Convincing their father that his favorite son has died, they reveal his tattered coat and believe that they are rid of him once and for all. From his homeland of Canaan, Joseph is taken to Egypt where he becomes the slave of Egyptian millionaire Potiphar and earns his trust. Managing his household, he soon has to ward off the affections of Potiphar’s wife. Enraged and unwilling to assess the situation, Potiphar has Joseph thrown into jail where he interprets the dreams of his cellmates. The prisoners are awed by his hidden talents of interpretation and encourage Joseph to pursue dreams of his own.
Joseph’s fortunes take a turn for the better as the Pharaoh hears rumors of his talent. Having strange recurring dreams about cows and ears of corn, the Pharaoh asks Joseph what his mysterious dreams could mean. Joseph determines that they are omens of a famine that will swipe the land in seven years. This foresight allows actions to be made to prevent devastation and grants Joseph a position as the second most powerful man in Egypt. Back in Canaan, Joseph’s brothers are afflicted by starvation and regret their treatment of Joseph. Hearing of the prosperity of Egypt, they unknowingly ask for Joseph’s help. He devises a test to see if his brothers have changed their ways, and finally reveals himself donning his Technicolor dreamcoat once again.