I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and I left the theater feeling glad I came. Honestly, I’d watch it again.
Believe it or not, the first musical I ever watched was Joseph the Dreamer. It was a production staged in our church’s auditorium. I was a kid then, and while I couldn’t tell you what the set looked like or which songs were sung, I never forgot the story. Joseph has always been one of my favorite characters from the Bible.
Growing up in a Christian family, I was raised on Bible stories more than fairy tales. While other kids knew about Cinderella or Ariel, I was more familiar with Jonah, David, Samson, and of course, Joseph. His story was everywhere. In Sunday school, youth camps, devotionals, you name it.
Joseph’s story is found in the book of Genesis, and is one of the oldest and most well-known in the Bible. He was the favorite son of Jacob, known for his gift of interpreting dreams and that famous coat of many colors. Joseph grew up knowing he was special. But his brothers sold him into slavery and faked his death out of jealousy. Joseph then ended up in Egypt, where things went from bad to worse. He was falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. Still, he held on and kept his faith.
Years later, his ability to interpret dreams brought him before the Pharaoh, and he was suddenly put in charge of the entire kingdom. When a famine hit, his brothers came to Egypt looking for help not knowing the one they betrayed was now in power. And instead of getting even, Joseph forgave them.
It’s a story about waiting, grace, forgiveness, and how things can come full circle even when it doesn’t look like it at first.
Years later I got to revisit that story through Trumpets’ 2025 revival of Joseph the Dreamer at RCBC Plaza. It’s a refreshed version of the musical that’s been around for over three decades.
Over the years, well-known names have played Joseph. Before Sam Concepcion and Neo Rivera in 2020, it was Audie Gemora and Gary Valenciano who took on the role back in the ‘90s to early 2000s. In this 2025 run, the role is being shared once again with Sam returning for select shows, and Jordan Andrews stepping on the lead role too (he also plays Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers). What’s cool is that Gary who used to play Joseph is now playing his father, Jacob.
I was hoping to catch Sam in the lead (I missed him in One More Chance the Musical, so this felt like the perfect chance). But the night I went, it was Jordan Andrews who played Joseph. And funny enough, I actually know him. We crossed paths years ago through Kumu, where he used to stream regularly and eventually became one of the housemates on PBB Kumu-nity Edition. During our interview then, he mentioned in passing that he was also doing theater back in the UK. At the time, I didn’t realize how big that was—until later when I found out he played Tam in the West End production of Miss Saigon when he was a kid; he was also in West End’s The King and I. Since moving to Manila, he’s been in several local productions.
Watching him live on stage felt different as I used to watch him in a livestream where he used to sing Christian songs and viewers’ requests. Seeing him perform on stage and in a musical felt like he really understood the character, which made the performance more grounded.
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Another standout was, of course, Gary Valenciano, who plays Jacob. Seeing someone of his stature in a theater role was refreshing—at least for me. I watched his movies growing up, but this is the first time I’ve seen him in a theater role. His portrayal of Joseph’s father brings weight to the show, especially in the emotional scenes. Mr. Pure Energy still has the acting chops.
The direction by Paolo Valenciano made the story feel fresh too. There wasn’t a single slow or dragging moment. The transitions between scenes was quite smooth, considering the show we watched had a new cast. It didn’t feel like it was trying too hard either.
If I had to pick a favorite scene, it would be Mrs. Potiphar’s part. The dancing and the switches are some of the most entertaining parts of the show for me. I also really enjoyed the Pharaoh scene, especially the comedic timing. Veteran actor Lorenz Martinez played him that night, and the humor didn’t feel out of place and while the story is a serious one, that part fits perfectly in the story.
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Even if it’s a new set of cast performing onstage, the ensemble was strong. Their vocals were solid, and the heart of the story came through. At the end of the day, it’s still about Joseph. About everything he lost, everything he went through, and how it all made sense in the end. That message will always hit, no matter who’s on stage. It’s just that this time, it was delivered with a solid cast and beautiful songs.
“I think it’s time they get to experience JTD, and the powerful story it has to tell,” said Audie Gemora, Trumpets’ Artistic Director (and OG Joseph). “It reminds us that God has a plan for all our lives.”
I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, and I left the theater feeling glad I came. Honestly, I’d watch it again.
Joseph the Dreamer is only running for two weekends and you can still catch the July 18–20 shows at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza. Tickets range from ₱1,650 to ₱3,850, depending on your seat. You can get them through official show buyers, and find updates on @trumpetsph on Instagram.
