Entertainment Entertainment News Art 'Godspell' opens Friday at Peoria Players
'Godspell' opens Friday at Peoria Players
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- Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 16:15
- Written by Paul Gordon
For Cheryl Dawn Koenig, the package can change as long as the contents remain the same.
That's the attitude she took into directing "Godspell" at Peoria Players Theatre for the second time.
Gone is the trademark Superman shirt worn by Jesus and some of the other characterizations of the musical written by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. The hippies look may not be one completely but it is different, perhaps more subdued.
Different nationalities are brought in, as well, giving this story that knows no national bounds a more international look.
"It's a little different than most 'Godspell' productions, but I have always found the script to be pretty open-ended," Koenig said. "As long as the show stays true to the text, how you stage it is up to you."
The text to which she referred is the Gospel of St. Matthew, on which "Godspell" is based. "We stick to the text as written," she said.
'Godspell" opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. and will have a run of eight performances at the theatre at University and Lake streets. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on March 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 and at 2 p.m. on March 17 and 24.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for patrons 18 and under. All tickets are $12 for the Wedensday, March 20 performance. They can be purchased at the theatre or ordered by calling 688-4473 or online at www.peoriaplayers.org.
Koenig said the basic concept of her show is that people come from all over the world, from disparate parts of society. She cast the show to bring to the stage of broader cross section of society. "With this script that is very doable. It gives a lot of leeway. The rest if subtextual," she said.
She also wants to illustrate the political statements of the times. Part of that is in the costuming. As mentioned, the familiar Superman symbol used on the costume of Jesus in most "Godspell" productions has been changed for this show into a heart with a peace symbol in the middle of it.
"When you get right down to it this show is all about love and peace, love and community. We can update the symbols, the jokes, change character references to today, such as switching out the Mae West characterization to Lady Gaga, but the basic message doesn't change," she said.
Koenig said she knows from experience, having been involved with "Godspell" in the past, that it would be easy to sound preachy on stage. "So, we have been working very hard to make Jesus's speeches less preachy and more fun," she said.
Deric Kimler heads the cast of 14 in the role of Jesus. Said Koeing, "He has the charisma that Jesus needs. I knew pretty quickly in the auditions that he was my guy," she said.
David Brown portrays Judas and the rest of the cast includes many local community theatre veterans. They are Lyndsay Byers, Lindsey Cheney, Matt Stubbs, Megan Cipolla, Aaron Elwell, Seth Hannan, Lisa Warner Jeans, David Jordan, Megan Manley, Jessi Palkovic, Britian Pearl and Daniel Sutter. "The whole cast is fabulous and they all get along very well. That is important in a show like this," Koenig said.
The music is played by a six-piece band directed by Camilla Russell.
Koenig said audiences will note the changes in the attitude as the story unfolds on stage, particularly in costuming. It opens with most of the cast wearing stark, black and white clothes. As it moves along more and more color is added "until it becomes a celebration of color and joy."
Many of the songs from "Godspell" are well-known, including "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord," "Day by Day," "All for the Best," and "We Beseech Thee."
"Godspell" opened off Broadway in May 1971 and played in London and Toronto before reaching a Broadway stage in June, 1976, where it played 527 performances before closing. It was revived off-Broadway a couple times before a Broadway revival occurred in 2011.
"Godspell" will be the first show at Peoria Players Theatre to use the organization's new sound system.
CAPTIONS: (Photos by Blake Stubbs) Deric Kimler portrays Jesus in the Peoria Players Theatre production of "Godspell," which opens Friday.
Cast members of Peoria Players Theatre's production of "Godspell" sing praises to God during a recent rehearsal.
