Fusing God with technology is only one theme of the hit Broadway musical “Godspell,” which brings a spirited and technologically enhanced cast to the stage.
The show opens Tuesday at Wharton Center’s Great Hall.
“Godspell” first hit the stage in 1971. It made Broadway in 1976 and has been using unique and crazy ways to portray the Gospel of St. Matthew around the country ever since. Joining a cast of experienced actors and actresses playing high-spirited teenagers proved to be an easy task for company member Sharon Francis.
“Our personalities are our characters’ emotions,” Francis said.
“Godspell” sets itself apart from other musicals because of its music. The show features a score by Grammy-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who was responsible for the scores of Disney films “Pocahantas” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” as well as Dreamworks’ “Prince of Egypt.”
The upbeat and powerful play features many different techniques including games, vaudeville antics, pantomime and charades, to provide an intriguing and interesting musical.
“We have ‘South Park’ and ‘Godfather’ references in the Prodigal Son pantomime, and technology is used throughout the whole musical,” Francis said.
Although this is an adaptation of a play originally set in the 1970s, the cast plays an important role in helping relate the play to the problems and trends of the new millennium. It recreates ’70s values in 2000.
“Most of the ideas come from the cast and crew,” Francis said. “In 1971, it was more about the flower child revolution and now it’s the technology revolution.”
“Godspell” was conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak.
Taking place in the church of E-life, where confusion spreads because of cell phones and pagers, “Godspell” compares the technological revolution to the Tower of Babel, noting chaos and confusion.
“Because of us the play is constantly changing,” Francis said. “The cast has creatively updated music. It’s our baby.”
“Godspell” shows at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call the Wharton Center box office at 432-2000 or (800) WHARTON.
