|
|
 |
2928 West 13th St. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004
phone: 440-964-3396 |
 |
 |
"Godspell" Opens G.B. Theatre Season:
|
Posted: Monday, September 16, 2002
Hit musical a favorite for all ages
The life and teachings of Jesus Christ takes center stage this weekend, as the hit musical �Godspell� opens with two performances this Sunday at the Ashtabula Arts Center�s G.B. Community Theatre. The musical will run until September 29.
Billed as one of the biggest Broadway and off-Broadway successes of all time, �Godspell� is a musical for all ages. It was originally written by Stephen Schwartz in the 70s as a rock musical, and opened on Broadway in 1976, where it ran for 527 performances.
�Godspell� is the story of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, with Jesus preaching through contemporized parables and storytelling. The show is not built around a traditional plot, which is one of the reasons why it is such a popular play to produce.
�(The show) allows for great flexibility from the director�s standpoint and allows for much creativity from the cast,� says Darrell Lowe, Theatre Coordinator of the Ashtabula Arts Center and director of �Godspell.�
According to Lowe, G.B. Community Theatre�s version of the show will be a bit different from the way it may have been seen by audience members in other venues in the past.
�People who have seen �Godspell� in the past probably saw it with a bunch of clowning and the actors in rag-tag clothing,� says Lowe. �We�re putting a different spin on it. There are no chain-link fences or saw horses. What there is is a talented cast in a setting familiar to everyone.�
Lowe has also incorporated modern technology into the show to create what he calls a �contemporary piece of musical theater.�
The actors in this show are also unique, as Lowe has brought together a group ranging in age from 14 to 27. Each of these actors gets his or her own chance to have a moment in the spotlight throughout the course of the show, something not common to all musicals.
The role of Jesus will be played by Joe Best, a student at Mercyhurst College. Jim Hunter of Orwell will portray Judas. Perry High School junior Kimberly Godfrey will perform the song �Day By Day,� probably the most recognizable song from the show�s soundtrack. Josh Twining of Ashtabula will be putting a new spin on the upbeat song �We Beseech Thee.�
Other members of the cast include Dan Henning, Jacob Lowe, Eryn Murman, Connie Notter, Therese Scharf, Devon Shriver, Melinda Smith, Ryan Smith and Kristen Wojiekowski.
 According to Lowe, the best word to describe the aim of the presentation of this production is �fresh.�
�We�re trying to make sure the young people of today can identify with the style, as well as those who grew up with �Godspell,� and our regular theater patrons,� says Lowe. �And I hope the Faith communities came and enjoy the energy with which we present the stories from the Bible.�
�Godspell� will open with two performances on Sunday, September 15. Showtimes are 2 and 7:30 p.m. Additional performances will be September 21 at 7:30 p.m., September 22 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., September 28 at 7:30 p.m., and September 29 at 7:30 p.m.
|
|
|
