The Prince of Egypt is a stage musical adapted from the Biblical book of Exodus and the 1998 DreamWorks Animation film of the same name. The musical recounts Moses’ emotional journey to save his people from the oppressing grasp of his Pharaoh brother Ramses. Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Philip LaZebnik, the musical includes both original songs from the film and new compositions by Schwartz.
Synopsis
The story begins in Ancient Egypt, where the Hebrews are enslaved. Fearing the growing Hebrew population, Pharaoh Seti orders the infanticide of all newborn Hebrew boys.
Yocheved, a Hebrew mother, sets her newborn son adrift on the Nile to save him from this fate. The baby is found and adopted by Queen Tuya, who names him Moses.
Years later, Moses and his adoptive brother Ramses are high-spirited teenagers. After an incident where they accidentally destroy a temple, Seti names Ramses prince regent. Moses then discovers the truth about his heritage. Distraught, he learns about the genocide of Hebrew babies ordered by Seti.
One day, Moses intervenes when he sees a guard whipping a Hebrew slave, accidentally killing the guard. He flees into the desert to escape punishment.
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In the desert, Moses becomes a shepherd, falls in love with Tzipporah, and encounters a burning bush where God commands him to return to Egypt and free the Hebrews.
Moses returns to Egypt and confronts Ramses, now Pharaoh. He demands the Hebrews' release, demonstrating God's power. When Ramses refuses, Egypt is struck by a series of plagues.
The final plague results in the death of all firstborn sons in Egypt, including Ramses' own son. Grief-stricken, Ramses allows the Hebrews to leave.
Moses leads the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where he uses his staff to part the waters, allowing them to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. The sea then closes, drowning the army.
From Screen To Stage - The Prince Of Egypt Musical | The Shows Must Go On
Key Characters
- Moses: The protagonist, a Hebrew raised as an Egyptian prince who discovers his true heritage and leads his people to freedom.
- Ramses: Moses' adoptive brother and the Pharaoh of Egypt, who opposes Moses' demands to release the Hebrews.
- Tzipporah: A Midianite woman who becomes Moses' wife.
- Yocheved: Moses' biological mother, who saves him from infanticide.
- Miriam: Moses' sister, who plays a key role in revealing his true identity.
- Aaron: Moses' brother, who supports him in his mission to free the Hebrews.
Musical Numbers
The musical features a blend of songs from the original film and new compositions by Stephen Schwartz. Memorable musical numbers include:
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- "Faster"
- "One Weak Link"
- "Seti's Return"
- "Dance to the Day"
- "Make It Right"
- "Never in a Million Years"
- "Return to Egypt"
- "Always On Your Side"
- "Simcha"
- "The Plagues"
- "For the Rest of My Life"
- "Heartless"
- "When You Believe"
Productions
The musical premiered at TheatreWorks in Mountain View, California, in 2017. Its international premiere was in Denmark in 2018. A revised version opened in London's West End in 2020, receiving mixed reviews.
Critical Reception
The stage adaptation of The Prince of Egypt has received varied reviews. Some critics have praised the performances, score, and orchestrations, while others have criticized the costume design and script. Some reviews noted that the musical makes changes to its source material.
Despite mixed reviews, the musical has been lauded for its emotional depth, powerful storytelling, and the strength of its musical numbers. The diverse casting and inclusive message have also been highlighted as positive aspects of the production.
Cast and Crew
Notable members of the cast and crew for various productions include:
| Character | Performer |
|---|---|
| Moses | Jacob Dickey, Luke Brady |
| Ramses | Roderick Lawrence, Liam Tamne |
| Tzipporah | Alexix Sims, Christine Allado |
| Miriam | Gabriela Carrillo, Alexia Khadime |
| Jethro | Colin Alexander, Gary Wilmot |
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