Once again the story of Jesus has provided the script for a beautiful and thought-provoking musical, and Paris Community Theater will present Godspell as its first production of the 2013-2014 season.
The structure of this popular Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz is that of a series of parables, based on the Gospel of Matthew. Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the Gospel of St. Matthew, up-dated to New York City in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, re-enacting Biblical parables with great enthusiasm.
Image credits www.tenwestcenter.org.
Godspell celebrates the idea that the spiritual life is of paramount importance, and among the many parables enacted before us are several remembering that an obsession with material achievements will land you on the wrong side of the fence by the day of judgment. There is nothing impious about the comedy in Godspell, whose punch lines are all used to make theologically serious points.
The musical features an equivalent number of humanable hit songs, notably “Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord)”, “By My Side” and “Day by Day”. The second act, with the passion of Christ treated briefly near the end of the performance, portrays the Last Supper and crucification with a delicacy that approaches the poetic.
“Paris Community Theater was born in 1976 with its first production, Up the Down Staircase performed on the PJC stage,” said Hilda Mallory, a member of the PCT Board of Directors. “As it opens its 37th season at its home, the Plaza Theater on the Square, we continue to strive to present entertainment that will be enjoyed by our audiences”.
“Literally thousands of people from all walks of life have participated in bringing live theater to our stage over the years, including actors and actresses, technical and back stage crews,” she said. “We also have a very active Children’s Theater, which was begun under the direction of Dr. Jean B. Campbell, and now is headed by Jenny Wilson, Children’s Theater Coordinator, which offers drama and theater training for youngsters. Students participate in classes and workshops throughout the year, taught by theater qualified teachers, and produce fall and spring productions.”
The life blood of our theater, in addition to our audiences, are our sponsors, underwriters, and patrons, who provide funding to enable us to stage each production. The sponsors for Godspell are Kimberly Clark Corporation and Salas Minor Emergency Clinic, who again this year came to the forefront to furnish funding for royalties, costumes, scripts, set building and other costs of “putting on a show”. We are so grateful to them for being our partners in producing this show, Mrs. Mallory said.
Alan Jones is directing Godspell and he said earlier this week that rehearsals are going well and the cast and crew are looking forward to bringing this wonderful story to our audiences.
He announced the cast for “Godspell” includes Austen Naron, Michelle Jewett Hobbs, Brittani Spang-Klotz, Jonathan Lynch, Seth Sansom, Spencer Sansom, Jess Micah Halbert, Edward Kelley, Madison Scott, Callie Easley and Bobby Jorgenson.
The crew also includes Phillip Briggs, Musical Director; Tommy Stone, Costumes; Amy Burrows, Choreographer, assisted by Michelle Jewett Hobbs; Joshua Maxwell, Lighting and Sound Design; Steven Pyles, Sound/Music Board Operator; Lindsey Espinosa, Light Board Operator; Danny Whittle, Stage Manager; Randi Johnson, Spotlight; Mindy Maxwell and Seth Sansom, Artwork; and Lindsey and Juan Espinosa and Sydney Young, Photography. Special thanks to Tim Wood and William Walker for their invaluable help.
“What an energetic, hard-working cast and crew that I have been blessed with — they have truly made this a wonderful experience,” said Director Alan Jones. “The Music from Godspell has always captured my heart, and I was thrilled to be asked to direct it. The show itself is based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, and has been described as one of the biggest Broadway and Off-Broadway successes of all time. You may laugh, you may cry, but whatever you do, come join us and feel the “power” of this musical.”
Godspell performances will be August 8-11 and 15-18. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Season tickets can still be purchased, as well as tickets for individual performances. Tickets can be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling the theater at 903-784-0259 between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. weekdays or by e-mail at pct@1starnet.com.
The PCT Board of Directors is encouraging the people of Lamar County and surrounding areas to support PCT by purchasing season tickets. The other plays to be presented in the season include Doubt in October, Butterflies Are Free in January, Run For Your Wife in March, and The Miss Firecracker Contest in June. Additionally, Annie will be presented in December as an Off-Season play. For more information call 903-784-0259, or visit PCT’s Website.