On April 12th and 13th, 2024 the MRHS Drama Club performed this year’s spring musical, Godspell, directed by Mrs. Jennifer Mitchell and musically directed by Mr. Christopher Sabol.

The play was brought to the PAC three times, on Friday April 12th at 7PM and on Saturday the 13th at 2 PM and 7PM. Mr. Romano was paid to do the audio/visual for the play. This year the times were changed to include the 2PM matinee, to accommodate older members of the Falcon Family who do not want to be out late or drive in the dark, according to Mrs. Mitchell. Tickets were $5 for students and $10 for adults.

Background

Godspell follows a rag-tag group of ten biblical and non-biblical characters who help Jesus Christ teach different parables with unique storytelling, games, and comedy. There is a wide collection of songs performed that span from pop, to folk rock, to vaudeville, to help tell the story of Jesus and his life and teachings. Throughout the story, the group grows closer as they learn from Jesus, with a dramatic shift in the Second Act, ending in Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ crucifixion.

Godspell was originally conceived and directed by John-Micheal Tebelak for his master’s thesis at Carnegie Mellon University in 1970. The show was first named The Godspell, which uses the archaic English spelling for “gospel.” Before it opened off-Broadway, the “The” was dropped from the title.

The original script consisted of mostly Bible quotes and hymn lyrics solely from the text of  According to Carol de Giere’s book The Godspell Experience from 2014, “his plan was to re-approach the Biblical parables and texts with the innocence of a child, and to play with the material as if it was a school recess.” Tebelak wanted to complete the script by drawing on the actors in rehearsals, so the original cast, consisting of clowns 1-10, were encouraged to experiment and play with the text. Many of the lines in the script were developed by this original cast. Music was written by a fellow student at CMU, Duane Bolick, from pre-selected hymns, with a three-person band to perform.

The Godspell first premiered. After its first performance, it caught the attention of producers who brought it off-Broadway and to the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in the East Village of Manhattan, where it was then re-scored by Stephen Schwartz, a fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus. It has since been performed around the world, with several revivals over the years both on and off Broadway.

The MRHS Rendition

MRHS’ version of Godspell was performed by:

• Josie Wall ‘24 as Jesus

• Noah Smock ‘24 as Judas

• Elizabeth Matthews ‘24 as Robin

• Chella Mistretta ‘24 as Joanne

• Raelin Taustine ‘27 as Peggy

• Matthew Gottfried ‘24 as John the Baptist

• Genesis Pearson ‘24 as Lamar

• Sienna Hook ‘25 as Gilmer

• Addison Calandra ‘25 as Sonia

• Bakari Underwood ‘27 as Jeffery

• Izzy Whitley ‘24 as Herb

Featured ensemble members:

• Tessa D’emery Ward ‘25

• Justin Gonzalez ‘25

• Kate Hicks ‘24

• Kayla Patterson ‘25

• Isla Robertson ‘27

• Jalen Randolph ‘24

• Nevaeh E. Vazquez ‘24

• Nevaeh M. Vazquez ‘24

From the Cast and Crew

A lot of work goes beyond what the audience sees on stage, beginning from choosing the play itself. According to Director Mrs. Mitchell, deciding on what play to perform involves multiple people, including her, Mr. Sabol, Mr. Rosa, Mr. Romano, Bobbie Renee Fullerton (who does lighting), and their new dance coordinator Amy Skulekle. It is a collaborative process, but also factors in the students (both how many and their abilities) in the Drama Club at the time, logistics, and cost.

Godspell was chosen because of its message and music. Mrs. Mitchell said that “the big thing about this [play] is loving one another as yourself, and in this time period, we need more love around here.”