Dead silence filled the room, then the stage erupted with music, actors, and a kaleidoscope of colors that shone down from the lights. Camels walked up the side aisles, looming over the audience. Tall spires, covered with hieroglyphics, tower over the singing cast on stage. An actor flies above everyone, his rainbow coat streamed behind him as the spotlight follows. Makeshift stars glow from the rafters, glittering like fireflies over the audience. The cast continued to belt out the closing song, when suddenly, the lights cut off. A deafening roar of applause fills the room, and it continued long after the lights turn back on.

On Tuesday, October 13, the freshman class went to the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA, to see Joseph, a retelling of the Old Testament story of Jacob’s favored son. Stunning light shows enhanced the performance of scenes depicting Joseph’s dreams as he flew above the gazing audience and through his times of power and pain in Egypt. Laughter echoed up to the rafters as a forgetful jester of a jailer made a fool of himself onstage. Gasps could be heard as various animals like alpacas, goats, horses, and camels trotted on stage and as the side curtains fell, revealing the the side wings.

During the intermission, it was evident that the freshmen enjoyed the show as they talked about their favorite scenes in line for concessions. One of the most favorite scenes was at the end, when Joseph is reunited with his father, Jacob, after being separated for decades, and the whole cast breaks into song.

“I liked how [Joseph] started flying at the end,” Audrey Lamb stated. “I found it really funny because it seemed so random. He just started flying up towards the ceiling in the middle of the song. I really enjoyed the show.”

Naja McCain agreed with Lamb, and also said that her favorite part of the show was when the entertainment that Joseph’s merchant-friend provided performed for the Pharaoh. “Dancers were twirling and waving ribbons around, which was really cool to watch, and some of the performers were dressed up in crocodile and fish costumes. The fish costume was my absolute favorite because the actor looked so funny hopping around on stage by himself.”

With memorable scenes, the occasional animal running up the aisles, catchy songs, ethereal dream scenes, and a rainbow coat, all of the freshmen eyes were on stage as the story of Joseph began to unfold.  It was a show that they would never forget.