Okay -- I can't believe I left out GODSPELL from the June "calendar"! (It can happen when a show starts in one month and ends in another and I blindly "copy" only the month in question; I've chastised my nonexistent secretary.)
Of COURSE Godspell is high on my radar. I have to wait until the 31st to see it (since I'm attending the board reception event for our wonderful Major Donors on the Riverwalk roof project which is now done - yay!)
I have special memories of the 1975 version I was in, directed by Ken Beachler at the Okemos Barn -- and this one promises to be that - PLUS new songs, tweaked script... re-energized for the new century.
So anyway, GODSPELL OPENS TOMORROW at Riverwalk, Thursday at 7pm -- and I am 100% sure it will be amazing. I have seen a little video and gotten a "taste." There will be some surprising, creative set/lighting effects (Tim Fox) and this is a cast of exceptional voices and energies. I have seen six of the ten cast members in other shows and each of them has been a "star" in all previous roles. I have faith the new folks will rise to the inspiring performance levels of their "star" peers.
As Kathleen Lavey's interview said, "Delaney [the director] has been corresponding by email directly with [author] Schwartz, who has offered some input into Delaney's ideas for the production, which will be set in an abandoned theater.
"Delaney said the show will begin with a rarely-used prologue called the "Tower of Babel." In some numbers, an eight-voice choir will augment the cast.
"Another rarely-used number, "Beautiful City," that focuses on rebuilding from wreckage -- a song Delaney says took on a new poignancy after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
"In addition, Delaney's production will change up some of the dialogue, removing cultural references that younger audiences might not be able to relate to.
"John Dale Smith is the musical director, and he's coaching the singers through some reworked harmonies that are both beautiful and challenging, Delaney said."
Here's the "press release" :
The wildly successful Broadway musical, Godspell comes to Riverwwalk Theatre (May 29- June 8). Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s/early '70s, featuring Jesus Christ (Matt Eldred) as a wandering minstrel. This production is also a modern-day version of the gospels, opening with John the Baptist (Christian Wojtowicz) calling a group of characters from their workaday lives to follow and learn from Jesus. They form a lively and roving acting troupe that enacts the parables through song and dance, comedy, and mime. With a sparkling new score from Stephen Schwartz, each scene and number is done with great enthusiasm and flamboyance.
Director John Delaney has assembled a cast of stage veterans and newcomers, they include: Abigail Grill, Rachel Dalton, Benjamin English, Tigi Habtemariam, Zion Jackson, Stephanie Lee, Mary Maurer and Katelyn Curtis. The music director is John Dale-Smith.
Dates: May 29-June 8, 2014.
Times: Thurs at 7 p.m., Fri-Sat at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ticket Prices: $20 regular price, $18 for seniors 55+ or students
Location: Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing, MI 48933.
For additional information on Riverwalk Theatre productions and ticket information, please call 482-5700 or visit the website at www.riverwalk.com.
Of COURSE Godspell is high on my radar. I have to wait until the 31st to see it (since I'm attending the board reception event for our wonderful Major Donors on the Riverwalk roof project which is now done - yay!)
I have special memories of the 1975 version I was in, directed by Ken Beachler at the Okemos Barn -- and this one promises to be that - PLUS new songs, tweaked script... re-energized for the new century.
So anyway, GODSPELL OPENS TOMORROW at Riverwalk, Thursday at 7pm -- and I am 100% sure it will be amazing. I have seen a little video and gotten a "taste." There will be some surprising, creative set/lighting effects (Tim Fox) and this is a cast of exceptional voices and energies. I have seen six of the ten cast members in other shows and each of them has been a "star" in all previous roles. I have faith the new folks will rise to the inspiring performance levels of their "star" peers.
As Kathleen Lavey's interview said, "Delaney [the director] has been corresponding by email directly with [author] Schwartz, who has offered some input into Delaney's ideas for the production, which will be set in an abandoned theater.
"Delaney said the show will begin with a rarely-used prologue called the "Tower of Babel." In some numbers, an eight-voice choir will augment the cast.
"Another rarely-used number, "Beautiful City," that focuses on rebuilding from wreckage -- a song Delaney says took on a new poignancy after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
"In addition, Delaney's production will change up some of the dialogue, removing cultural references that younger audiences might not be able to relate to.
"John Dale Smith is the musical director, and he's coaching the singers through some reworked harmonies that are both beautiful and challenging, Delaney said."
Here's the "press release" :
The wildly successful Broadway musical, Godspell comes to Riverwwalk Theatre (May 29- June 8). Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s/early '70s, featuring Jesus Christ (Matt Eldred) as a wandering minstrel. This production is also a modern-day version of the gospels, opening with John the Baptist (Christian Wojtowicz) calling a group of characters from their workaday lives to follow and learn from Jesus. They form a lively and roving acting troupe that enacts the parables through song and dance, comedy, and mime. With a sparkling new score from Stephen Schwartz, each scene and number is done with great enthusiasm and flamboyance.
Director John Delaney has assembled a cast of stage veterans and newcomers, they include: Abigail Grill, Rachel Dalton, Benjamin English, Tigi Habtemariam, Zion Jackson, Stephanie Lee, Mary Maurer and Katelyn Curtis. The music director is John Dale-Smith.
Dates: May 29-June 8, 2014.
Times: Thurs at 7 p.m., Fri-Sat at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
Ticket Prices: $20 regular price, $18 for seniors 55+ or students
Location: Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing, MI 48933.
For additional information on Riverwalk Theatre productions and ticket information, please call 482-5700 or visit the website at www.riverwalk.com.
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