It's a far cry
Sunday Services!
Can a play based on the Gospel
according to St. Matthew, performed by 10
people with scraggly clown costumes and
few props survive in a world of slick
production numbers?
. "Godspell" has proven it can.
It first was presented in New York at a
small off-Broadway theater, but now is
playing in the Promenade theater on
Broadway. Other companies have sprung
up in Philadelphia, Toronto, Boston,
Chicago, London, Paris, Australia and on
many other American and foreign stages.
The Artist - Series will' present
"Godspell" at 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday
and Sunday in Schwab. Members of the
original New York cast and those from
other troupes will join in the Penn State
performances.
"Godspell", the old English word for
gospel, is a hodge-podge of pantomime,
song, choreography,. mugging and
slapstick, joyously tracing the life and
teachings of Jesus Christ without the
slightest bit of irreverance.
Created two years ago by JohnLMichael
Tebelak as a masters thesis at Carnegie-
Mellon University, the play first took form
when he attended Easter. Sunday services
at Pittsburgh's St. Paul's Cathedral. tipor,i
leaving the church, long-haired Tebelak
was stopped by a policethan and searched
for 'drugs. Shortly thereafter, the play
crystalized.
"Godspell" was born in the wake of a
surge of rock musicals such as "Hair" and
increased religious interest as exemplified
in "Jesus Christ, Superstar." Yet it is
'Godspell':
By Regina Andriolo
more simplistic in its approach. Songs are
warm, melodic and full of life. Stage props
include colorful boards, a couple of
sawhorses, bare lightbulbs and some wire
school-yard fencing.
Jesus, dressed in a Superman T-shirt,
striped pants and orange pom-pommed
sneakers leads his clown-costumed
disciples through lighthearted slapstick
interpretations of parables such as the
Prodigal Son, the Good Samaritan,
Lazarus, , and the Sower and His Seed.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and
lyrics for "Godspell", as well as the
Broadway hit, "Pippin." He explains,
"When the world is in such a mess, you
can't, take it too seriously; we make Jesus
Christ into a music hall act, clowning
about and doing a soft shoe dance with
Judas. You simply have to like the man.
Jesus amuses and delights you; he's the
kind of character anyone would want to
follow."
"Godspell's" popularity probably is due
not only to the performers' fantastic
talents and energy, colorful scenery and
costumes but mainly to the show's warm,
lovely lyrics. It won a Grammy. Award, in
the Best Musical category, for the original
cast album which has topped the $1 million
sales mark. The ballad "Day by Day" has
topped music charts across the country.
"Godspell" is advertised as a "joyous
experience." a comment backed up by
viewers and critics alike. Artist Series'
members expect a top notch performance
this weekend, and if past reactions are
sincere,. they will not be ,disappointed.
from
P.S. Friday, September 14, 1973-
"Look to the lilies of
the field," urges
Christ in a Superman
T-shirt. His devoted
listeners are members
of the "Godspell"
troupe performing this
weekend in Schwab. .
John the Baptist and a
disciple clown it up as
a lovely lady track
sneakers and all
tries to gain their
attention ' in the
production of
"Godspell."