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One of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time comes to Western Carolina University when the hit musical �Godspell� takes the stage in Hoey Auditorium through Sunday, Nov. 20. The show is a collaboration between the University Players and the Black Theatre Ensemble, with Brad Martin, assistant professor of music, as musical director.
Written by Stephen Schwartz, �Godspell� is based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. In this modern-day version, John the Baptist calls a disparate group of young city dwellers from their workaday lives to follow and learn from Jesus. The nontraditional plot utilizes pantomime, charades, acrobatics and song to enact the parables. The show features a lively, seminal score by Schwartz that boasts a string of recognizable songs, led by the international hit �Day By Day.� Several of the songs receive new life through the latest orchestration by Alex Lacamoire, said director Claire Eye, assistant professor of communication, theatre and dance. �Our production returns to the vision originally conceived by Schwartz � an inner city setting � and sets it in the year 2005,� Eye said. �As a result, many of the dances incorporate hip-hop, step numbers and modern dance as audience members watch a reflection on the life of Jesus that is brought humanly and hearteningly to the stage.� Western�s production of �Godspell� stars Jamie Drye as Jesus, and Trevor Perry as Judas and John the Baptist. The cast includes Greg Kennedy as Jeffery, Nick Belli as Lamar, Trent Yoder as Herb, Lindsay Merritt as Joanne, Kendris Myers as Sonia, Janna Harris as Peggy, Christy Waymouth as Robin and Hannah Case as Gilmer.
�Godspell� will stage at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. There will be no performance on Friday, Nov. 18. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12.50 for senior citizens and Western faculty and staff; and $7.50 for Western students. For ticket information, call the box office at (828) 227-2479, or visit http://theatre.wcu.edu. (Image provided by WCU.)
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Members of the ensemble are Samantha Younce, Elena Pisano, Paul Hammer, Jennifer Fiddler, Whitney Stone, Zach Israel, Mark Hudson and Nathan Mason. The show is choreographed by Elena Pisano and Donia Paynes.
