Godspell, the smash hit Broadway musical that staged the Biblical story of Jesus in the late 60’s peace-and-love setting, will be performed by the Merrymeeting Community Players at Kresge Auditorium in the Visual Arts Center at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. Show dates and times are Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 PM. Godspell will also be performed Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 PM.
Godspell followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ Superstar by setting the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection to modern music. However, the music of Godspell draws on not only the rock genre, but folk, gospel, jazz, blues, pop, and even hoedown to give the message of the Gospel of St. Matthew an upbeat, playful tone. The best-known song from the show, “Day By Day,” recorded by the original Broadway cast became a popular hit in the early 70’s.
Director Henry Eichman of Topsham has set Godspell in a gritty row house slum environment with the cast representing the diversity of the neighborhood. As director Eichman stated, “directing and staging Godspell in a row housing environment fulfills a long-standing dream of mine. This outstanding cast guided by exceptional music director Diane Sturgis of Minot and brilliant young choreographer Rachel Hanson, a senior at Morse High School in Bath,promises to provide a visual and musical Easter holiday treat appealing to the audience’s playful side, their sense of awe and hope.”
The role of the Jesus figure who brings the message of hope to the cynical urbanites is shared by Marc Rodriguez of Bath, Missy Mykyta of Topsham and 11-year-old Daniel Leaver of Topsham. The role of John the Baptist is played by Aaron Weinzetl, a USM music major from Topsham, and the role of Judas Iscariot by Steve Rodriguez of Bath. The rest of the 22-member multi-age cast act out the well known parables as well as sharing the music.
The remaining cast members are Krystle Aldrich, Sally Aldrich and Sarah Bloy of Brunswick, Amanda Atwood, Heidi Mackbach and Lennie Eichman of Topsham, Sean Drumm and Kirstin Hayward of Bath, Emily Edmondson of Winthrop, Jill Hanson of Freeport, Jim Hays and Gayle Metzger of Orr’s Island, Tracy Hill of Gray, Stacy Laflin of Augusta, Julia Littlefield of Yarmouth, Marie Stewart of Phippsburg and Beth Saufler of Georgetown.
Godspell is accompanied by Brad Howard of Farmingdale on piano, Carter Ruff of Brunswick on guitar and banjo, Kathy Downing of Alna on bass and Hal Ahlers of Bowdoinham on percussion.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, and are available through Macbean’s Music of 141 Maine Street in Brunswick, Village Candle Factory Store of Topsham Fair Mall in Topsham and Bow St. in Freeport, and Sunburst Guitars of Center St. in Bath. For information or reservations, call the Merrymeeting Community Players’ phone line at 721-9228 or Email at mcp@nqi.net. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
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