“Godspell” opens today
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 17, 2005
After two long months of intense practice and repetition the Demopolis Middle School 21st Century After School Students will perform the musical production “Godspell” for the public.
The play will take place in the Demopolis High School auditorium tonight and tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
Arletha Perry, director of the play, said it is a tale of scripture that helps people to better understand how to treat their fellow man and conduct themselves.
“The play is based on scripture from the book of Matthew,” Perry said. “It is based on teaching people how to care for one another and it also teaches them character.”
Perry said she saw the pay performed at another school and felt it would be a good fit for her students.
“I had the pleasure of watching it at Hillcrest High School and I read over the play myself and felt it would be a good play for our students,” Perry said. “Once again the reason for that was it teaches good character.”
Tonight hours and hours of practice and work will be displayed on the stage. Perry said the work began in March and has not stopped since.
“We started working on it around the last of March,” Perry said. “We have really worked hard on it.”
Godspell is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time. The play is based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. In the Gospel, Jesus Christ preaches through parables and storytelling.
The show, which is not built on a traditional plot, utilizes clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics, and vaudeville to tell the story of Christ. A pageant that moves from moment to moment, Godspell is a reflection on the life of Jesus by ten performers who are dressed as clowns.
The play also features a sparkling, seminal score by Stephen Schwartz and boasts a string of recognizable songs, led by the international hit, “Day By Day.” As the cast of actors makes it way through “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord,” “Save The People,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “Bless The Lord,” “All For The Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side,” we, as audience members get to see the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life.
Godspell is a celebration of the life and teachings of Christ and can be performed virtually any where with the simplest of sets, costumes, lights and music, which made it a good choice for the students.
The play is suitable for all ages. Tickets for adults will be $3 and tickets for children from three years old to twelfth grade will be $1.