GC students tell the story of Jesus in updated version of classic ‘Godspell’
Fall Mainstage: Godspell (2012 revised version)
Date and time: Nov. 13, 14 & 21 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 15 & 22 (ASL interpreted) at 3 p.m.
Location: Goshen College Umble Center
Cost: $12 general, $7 students/seniors/GC employees. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or through the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or welcomecenter@goshen.edu. Tickets can also be purchased at the Umble Center box office one hour before the show. Caution: This performance contains intense moments with flashing lights and loud sounds.
The Goshen College theater and music departments will collaborate to present an updated version of Godspell in Umble Center on Nov. 13, 14 and 21 at 8 p.m., and Nov. 15 and 22 at 3 p.m. The Nov. 22 performance will include ASL interpretation.
Conceived by John Michael Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the 2012 revised version includes contemporary cultural references, noticeably updated from the original 1971 production.
“Godspell’s music is infectious,” said Scott Hochstetler, associate professor of music. “The songs are catchy, they are heartfelt, and they are just plain fun. The new orchestrations add a whole new contemporary twist that makes them that much more accessible to our 2015 ears.”
In the story, a small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs ranging in style from pop to vaudeville is employed as the story of Jesus’s life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’s messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life.
“If you think you are already familiar with Godspell, you’re in for an inspiring surprise,” said Doug Liechty Caskey, professor of theater and director.
The cast of 13 students includes: Jacob Zehr, a sophomore from Carthage, New York, as Jesus; Ben Ganger, a junior from Goshen, as John the Baptist/Judas; Emily Evans, a sophomorefrom Lititz, Pennsylvania; Martin Flowers, a senior from Nappanee, Indiana; Sadie Gustafson-Zook, a junior from Goshen; Christina Hofer, a senior from Dolton, South Dakota; Galed Krisjayanta, a junior from Surakarta, Indonesia; Naomi Peters, a first-year from Winnipeg, Manitoba; Morgan Short, a junior from Goshen; Lukas Thompson, a first-year from Goshen; Maggie Weaver, a junior from Lititz, Pennsylvania; Simon Weaver, a sophomore from Madison, Wisconsin; and Paul Zehr, a senior from Carthage, New York.
The band is made up of community members, including Christine Sietz on piano, Dustin Lowe on guitar, Andrew Sellers on guitar, Rodolfo González Roa on guitar, Jeff Cooper on drums, and Garret Flowers, a first-year student from Nappanee, Indiana, on bass guitar.
The production team includes Professor of Theater Doug Liechty Caskey, director and producer; Associate Professor of Music Scott Hochstetler, music director; Christine Seitz, conductor; Andrew Moeggenborg, technical director and set designer; Paul Zehr, assistant technical director; Maggie Weaver, choreographer; Clara Beck, house manager; Adrienne Schmucker, house manager; Alexandria Hochstetler, stage manager; Rachel Buckley, assistant stage manager; Ben Meyer Reimer, assistant stage manager; Riley Woods, light designer and operator; Mary Seeck, costume designer; A’sean Street, assistant costumer; Anna Sherck, sound designer and operator; Lea Ramer, props designer; Ally Medellin, hair and makeup designer; Kasey Prentice, master carpenter; Ben Ganger, master electrician; Aidan Friesen, light board operator; Tabitha Immanuel, props team; Christi Sessa, props team; Diona Beck, costume crew. ASL interpreters are Adriene Hendricks, Danielle Kerschakkl, Lydia King and Aryana Nacker.
The cost is $12 general, $7 students/seniors/GC employees. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.goshen.edu/tickets or through the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or welcomecenter@goshen.edu. Tickets can also be purchased at the Umble Center box office one hour before the show. There will be a 10-minute intermission.
Godspell (2012 Revised Version) is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). Caution: This performance contains intense moments with flashing lights and loud sounds.