Metro Pulse/Backstage/Godspell

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What:
Godspell

Who:
The WordPlayers

When:
8 p.m. March 27, April 2 & 3, and 2 p.m. March 28 and April 4.

Where:
Bearden High School

Cost:
$12 for adults, $10 for students/seniors, $8 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets available at Cedar Springs Christian Store or by calling 531-2490.

Godspell serves as a reminder of the Good News

by Paige M. Travis

Jesus is getting a lot of coverage these days. Usually the religious icon’s time in the spotlight is limited to Sundays, but lately he’s been getting primetime attention thanks to Mel Gibson’s movie about the grisly final hours of his life. But as Christians and Bible scholars know well, Jesus also spent plenty of time not being tortured by Roman soldiers. When his life was less in jeopardy, Jesus hung out with the apostles, teaching them the benefits of God’s love and the tenets of patience, forgiveness and prayer. This is the part of the Bible, the gospels of Matthew, from which Godspell is taken.

The 1971 Broadway play written by Stephen Schwartz is incredibly popular even 33 years after its premiere. Terry Weber, artistic director of the WordPlayers, attributes this longevity to the heart of the play’s matter.

“We believe it’s popular because of the eternal truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ and his teachings,” says Weber, who helped establish the non-profit Christian theater company in 1995. The WordPlayers’ production of Godspell will be presented four nights beginning March 27 at Bearden High School. The musical’s songs, some of which hit the pop charts during the play’s peak in the early ‘70s, are still familiar and a big reason for the production’s timelessness in a secular context.

“Now Godspell is coming to the next generation,” Weber says. “People who were teenagers in the ‘70s like the songs because of the nostalgia. Now the music is catching on with and appealing to a whole new generation.”

With the throwback soaring guitars of ‘70s rock infiltrating contemporary music, the songs of Godspell may sound less dated than, say, dippy folk rock of the ‘60s. The WordPlayers’ show updates the costumes from the tie-dye and multi-color rags made visually memorable from the 1973 film version starring Victor Garber as Jesus. Weber says the show’s director Leann Dickson has cast the characters in modern duds that reveal their personalities.

“The idea ...is that all of the people are from different walks of life,” Weber says. One character is suited in a football jersey. Another wears overalls. Dressed like everyday mortals, these apostles will learn from the parables of Jesus, played by Andrew Whaley, a senior at Bearden High. Weber praises the skills and experience of the young actor who has performed locally with Actors Co-op, Tennessee Valley Players and the Oak Ridge Playhouse.

“He’s a wonderful young performer who I think has a great future in this business if he continues in it,” commends Weber.

But the role of Jesus can be intimidating for even the most seasoned actor. Weber says the energetic and fun-loving nature of Godspell can diffuse that kind of anxiety.

“Since it’s a contemporary view of the truth of the lessons, it’s much less intimidating in that the actors can work from their own personalities,” Weber says. The actor who steps into Jesus’ shoes should be convincing as a leader. “It’s important that person has a kind of magnetism that will draw people to them.”

The pace of the production is established during rehearsals through improvisation by the cast. Weber says this approach not only makes each company’s production of Godspell different, but it helps the actors feel even more invested in the show.

“It’s a real actor’s piece,” says Weber. “There’s a lot of creative input from everybody to be able to help figure out what the show will look like. Everyone has ownership in how the show comes together. That always creates excitement and fun on stage.”

That onstage togetherness relates to the theme and ultimate message of Godspell as Weber sees it. As John the Baptist preaches the Good News and gathers up the followers from their varied jobs—waiter, actress, businessman, etc.—they all learn Jesus’ lessons through dialogue and songs. Traditionally, the setting of Godspell is the urban center, a melting pot of cultures and influences; the film version is a lushly photographed postcard of the many sights of New York City. Weber hopes audiences will come away from the show thinking about their own community and forming their own answers to the questions the play presents.

“What forms community? What brings people together in a positive way to form a well-adjusted community? What can come into that to mess it up?”

On one level, Godspell is a simple confection of story and song. But its spiritual basis refers to a greater artistic and social responsibility. The WordPlayers’ mission is to present faith-based productions that are challenging, entertaining, and thought-provoking. In that spirit, Godspell fits the bill. Despite the very real elements of division and strife within our own cities, neighborhoods, and families, remembering there are ways to bridge those differences is a valuable benefit of the performing arts. And if we learn something about ourselves in the process, thank Jesus and the WordPlayers.

“Godspell is about coming together to build a community despite the walls and noise around us, that we’re able to come together and form a close knit community.”