Godspell consists of two acts, and each is a series of parables based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew interspersed with songs by Stephen Schwartz. Godspell features songs such as: “Day By Day,” “By My Side,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” and “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord.”
The first act of Godspell focuses on the building of a community between Jesus and his disciples. The second act essentially follows the passion of Christ.
Godspell was directed by Tracy Hagstrum-Durant, with Music Director Michael Walsh, and Choreographer Debra Bestland.
“We had a really, really, talented and creative group,” said HD. “One of the things that was neat is that everyone got a solo.”
“The musical [Godspell] was originally done to be hippies or clowns, we wanted to be different and so I came up with the idea of a traveling circus,” said HD. “A circus is like a little community, and it symbolizes the world as a whole.”
“The best thing anyone in the cast can get is a laugh from [Hagstrum Durant],” said junior Kaelie Lund, “it’s like a stamp of approval.”
Godspell included a total of over 70 students, including 16 cast members, 4 pit musicians, and over 50 members working behind the scenes in the tech crew.
For some students, this will be their last high school play ever. Senior Matt O’Leary, who plays John the Baptist and Judas, reflects on some of the challenges of Godspell.
“I haven’t done much acting before, I’m used to just singing. I’ve done a few musicals before, but this [Godspell] was definitely a lot harder for me. I feel like it just got better each time.”
Senior Pickle Hjelmberg, who plays Jesus, reflects on his last performance,
“Everyone in the cast came together and we had a great show. I’m really thankful we have such a amazing cast and crew, because no matter how well I do, it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t have such a fantastic cast and crew”
Senior Jessica Johnson shares her experience as a cast member of Godspell,
“[Godspell] was really nice, It was still a little iffy on the opening night, but this was by far our best performance to date as far as practices go. Everything was so different than anything I’ve ever been involved in, it’s kind of got an improv style. it doesn’t always happen exactly the same every night.”
