Godspelt road fife
Is the life of an,actor in the
road production of
"Godspell" an enviable one?
How does one react after' a
month of one and two night
stops in places from
Connecticut to Slippery Rock
College, Pa.?
Roger Kozol, James C.
Vaughn and Bruce Connelly
took time off between shows
to discuss the pros and cons of
performing in such a
production.
Kozol, who portrays Jesus
Christ in the show, first was
cast in the role in San
Francisco. After performing
there, he joined the current
tour, whichrwas cast in New
York.
"We rehearsed a week less
than any other 'Godspell' cast
and then they threw us out
and said 'have a ball!' and we
are," he explained. "I sat in
San Francisco for a year and
I just enjoy this a lot more,
seeing different places and
faces. We usually don't get to
see that much though, just the
motel and theatre. Since
we've been here for two days,
we've been able to see more."
James Vaughn, who
attended New York
University, explained this is
the third play where he has
portrayed Judas. "This tour
has been a great experience
for me. And playing here at
Penn State was fun. You have
the right sized theater for
something like 'Godspell.' It
made it a lot easier to have
personal contact with the
audience, • which is so
important," he said.
Bruce Connelly was with
another cast of "Godspell"
for two years before he joined
this one. "I love being in this
play," he said. Is there
anything he has to- accept as
part of the job? "Yes, getting
hurt," he replied. "We wear
knee pads, but you wouldn't
believe the injuries bumps,
scratches, sprains and cuts
we get with all that running"t,.. k.
around. It's really a trick to
do all that physical activity
and then sing a song."
The three said they found
few people consider -
"Godspell's" interpretation
of the Bible in 'any way
irreverent. "When we played
before the priests and
students at St. Bonaventure,
they loved it," Kozol
explained. "In fact the more
Free U
Meeting
7:00 tonite
203 D HUB
religious a person is, the more
he or she seems to like it. We
had a few isolated incidents
where people have tried to
stop the show because they
considered'it sacrilegious."
The actors said they leave it
up to the audience to
experience i the emotion
contained in "Godspell."
"There are ino tears in
`Godspell,'
." one explained.
"We force each person to
draw what he can from the
scenes on stage. And when the
audience is into what's
happening, we can sense it
and don't think it doesn't help
us!"
There are 14 people in the
"Godspell" troupe. Each
takes turns performing the 10 "However, audience
different parts, to avoid participation . is - really
"complete physical important too," Kozol said.
breakdown" as they put it. "It's really true that the
How do 14 people get along audience gets what it asks
after months of traveling and for. If you have a really down
performing together? "Very audience, .you'll try to bring
well," Connelly answered. them' up, but you know you
"In some shows, it could be have to save your energy for
harder. But here you're able another performance. If
to relate person to' person. they're really into it, it / makes
And you can enjoy each other it that much easier for us,"he
on stage." said. " RA
Godspell cast bless
with new outlook
By REGINA ANDRIOLO
Collegian Staff Writer
It's a 'fresh, new outlook on something very old and
sometimes distant. It's funny and wild but its message comes
across in all sincerity. It's Godspell. -
This weekend's Artist Series program featured the road
company of this award-winning musical and Schwab has
rarely been blessed (excuse the pun) with such energy, joy
play review
and talent
John-Michael Tebelak's stage adaptation of St. Matthew's
Gospel and Stephen Schwartz' music and lyrics, together with
the outstanding vitality of 10 clown-costumed performers,
made for unbeatable entertainment. It's gratifying to see that
in times when that which glitters the most is usually the most
successful, something as relatively uncontrived as
ervices 215-885.1646
"We, all do wierd things to
each other on stage," Kozol
interjected. "Like Bruce is
terribly ticklish, so in the
middle of a number, I'll tickle
him and he sends out 'the call
of the wild.' It's great," he
said.
"It's the constant ad libs on
stage that keep the show from
becoming monotonous and
boring for us and the
audience," Vaughn
explained. "Like throwing in
a Laurel and Hardy routine
where' • there should be
something else. Or this
afternoon, I suddenly started
talking in a lisp, so I just kept
at it and let the others play
along.':
NEED AN APARTMENT?
—We are ready to make deals!!
1. Short Term and Semester Leases
2. EARN part of your rent
3. Need furniture? We have plenty.
4. Short of funds? Talk to manager.
Bed As low as Bedroom As low as
f)
er
Room $135 L. 1 -1 /2 Bath $5O Pper mrn:n.
including: heat, hot water, cooking & 1 0-channel cable
for more
info call
, i
The'
,
National
oaring
i Cd
of "
mpany
odspell"
s audience
n old story
"Gbdspell" can become internationally acclaimed.
Simple stage sets like sawhorses, fencing, planks of wood
and bare, lightbulbs are imaginatively employed throughout
the show). Outlandish outfits adorn Christ and his disciples.
And yet the real secret of this "experience" lies in the
people on stage. Each one of the 10 comes across so
appealingly and naturally they make everyone feel a part of
the happenings.
Jesus, played by Roger Kozol, and Judas-John the Baptist,
pe4formed by James G. Vaughn, led the , company as they
muggeddistntomimed and danced their way through various
parablesVich as their slightly unorthodox interpretation of
the Prodigal Son.
Music and lyrics are integral parts of "Godspell." Ballad
numbers such as "Day by Day" and "By My Side" contribute
as much as lighter tongs like "All for the Best" and "Turn
Back Old Man." •
The joy and warmth "Godspell"" generates is worth far
more than the price of admission.
238-1443
orj
238-1965
Park Forest
Apartments
West Aaron Drive
HELP LINE of the STUDENT ASSISTANCE CENTER
(Fornierl the Help ( enter)
•
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F 116 Old Main 863-0306
4 p.m. to 12 midnight M-F 102 A Boucke 863-0306 -
12 noon'to 8 p.m.- Sat & Sun 102 A Boucke 863-0306
Information, Referral & Peer Counseling Service
The Help Line is an organization of trained students ant/ stuff with the sole purpose of git ing the l'eatt
State I ommunity. especially students. a place to turn or information. ad: and HELP in tochlini.:
the big and little problems of unicersity life. If I' hare the. ansuers - to soth etersthts bothers as hat to
drop-add or where to borrou a movie screen. 'lt a ur prepared to HELP with real ,'rise..-ftsw 5' r aft
us with finance. sax. housing. Ira, el or troubles.
If a hope you will get into the habit of calling (IN first with problems or for information. If e t an sat e son
the time and trouble of making calls. dig,ging thrtmgh eutaingues. directories. or rulebuo6.. or rut hing
sour brain fur a name or Program You're sure et lsts somewhere. untamed In the l rtirer.itr. zee are
«mtralized. organized. professional and paraprofessional group of people u ith a real resin' to aid the
person feeling the depersonalized effects of the huge multirersity. Students mum the phones. gtt tug us it
unique peer-counseling function.
THE PATHFINDER
137 E. Beaier Ave. (in- the parking garage)
The Pathfinder has hiking boots for women, too.
The Cascade I and Gretchen II by Vasque (a
division of Red Wing) will take you anywhere you
want to go with or without a pack. Fine boots for
fine walking and hiking experiences for men and
women.
The Pathfinder can keep you warm this winter
with insulated boots, hiking boots, walking shoes,
oil treated Peter Storm sweaters, and goose and
duck down coats.
A backpacking speciality shop carrying the
finest names in lightweight equipment
The Daily Collegian Monday, September 17, 1973-3
CASCADE I
UPPER. 11.1),.1 , k
ally r paddedtontatr nilh Inatiter lined
•Ir, •krct• , ft ,r non, dpadded
ant,lt• wit not Int•als do, n
INSOLE: leather
SHANK: Temper. ti ...prong •tet
.MIDSOLE: ttatort !molter
SOLE: tam 1 otlv Was con.ttortton
HEEL: Luc
COUNTER: -.. -1(.11 leather board.
I mend , to hall 01 tool
GRETCHEN 11
Boys and Ladies
UPPER: 6 full-grain natural rough-out leather.
hinged and padded leather-lined tongue out
::de do flap, stretchn, %ere . ° top. leather-hoed
quarter, leather reintorred padded ankle --
not break dm. n
INSOLE: Leather
SHANK: Inch,. ale, 3-ebbed .pang 'tee,
MIDSOLE: 6-iron rubber.
SOLE: Vibrant lug.
COUNTER: Pre-molded