Look for lots of improvisation in the upcoming Hesston College production of Godspell. The Music and Theatre departments will present the musical in the Northlawn 109 Studio Theater at 7:30 p.m. February 19-21 and February 26-27, and 8:30 p.m. February 28.
Theatre director Megan Tyner says the script itself is open to interpretation. “I’ve seen it done in many different settings,” she explained. “It’s supposed to be timeless and not have a set place.
“The way we’ve built this production is much the same way the original was pieced together,” Tyner said. So when rehearsals began January 7, only Jesus and Judas had their scripts, so they could guide the rest of the cast in what needed to be shown.
“The rest of the cast was instructed to read the section of the script that was to be rehearsed, then come without the script,” Tyner explained. “What they do is largely improvisation, adding their own creativity, personality, and interpretation.”
“Doing the musical this way has been a frustrating process, but also exciting and exhilarating,” Tyner said. “At first, the cast found that playing their roles was difficult without the structure of the script. But as rehearsals have continued, they’ve gotten very strong with it.”
Tyner explained that the idea for Godspell came to John Michael Tebelak after attending an Easter service that he felt was lifeless and boring, and lacked the sense of community. He also felt Jesus was being held back as a character, and in fact, was left in the tomb.
So for a master’s thesis, Tebelak came up with Godspell, which is based on the gospel of Matthew. “Like we are doing, he told his original cast a parable and told them to act it out,” Tyner said. “That art of storytelling is what Jesus used with the parables and community was built through these common experiences. That’s why Godspell remains such a treasured piece of musical theatre today.”
“Our production is also a call to the churches to be community-based,” Tyner said. “This is a remainder that we need to build community in our churches, inspiring and invigorating each other.”
Matt Schloneger, voice faculty member at Hesston College, is musical director. Rachael Hebison, Newton, is choreographer, while Naomi Nussbaum, a freshman from Happy Valley, Ore., is stage manager.
Mitch Stutzman, a sophomore from Middlebury, Ind., plays the role of Jesus, while Carson Stutzman, a sophomore from Beaver Crossing, Neb., plays the roles of John the Baptist and also Judas.
Other cast members are sophomores Peter Garry, Pahoa, Hawaii; Kaitlin Schmucker, Sacramento, Calif.; Hannah Titus, Roland, Iowa; and Tessa Walters, Salina, Kan.; along with freshman Matt Lehman, Kidron, Ohio; Ana Loucks, Hesston, Kan.; John N. Murray, Hesston, Kan.; and Nathan Snyder, Fruita, Colo.
Tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for students and seniors. A $1 discount will be given to people who bring a canned food item.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Hesston College Bookstore in person or by calling 620-327-8105 locally or toll-free at 866-437-7866, Ext. 8105. Tickets are also available on-line at www.hesstonbooks.com. Tickets may also be purchased one hour before show time and are subject to availability. Seating is limited; advanced purchase is recommended.