The Stephen Schwartz musical "Godspell" is written about the life, death and teachings of Christ, but its performance can't necessarily be tied to any time of the year or date on the Christian church calendar, said Gaye Burgess, who's directing the show at UND.
"As I work on the show, it just become more and more obvious this show says so much. It doesn't matter when you say it," Burgess said. "It's not necessarily focused on religion. To me, it's a love story and a celebration of life that sets out to claim the joy and hope in our lives which we desperately need right now in our country."
"Godspell" will open at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the UND Burtness Theatre and run through Oct. 31. Tickets, available in advance by calling (701) 777-2587, are $20 for adults and $10 for students with ID. There's a group discount of $2 per ticket for groups of 10 or more.
"Godspell" is the UND Theatre Department's first show of the season. First performed in 1971, it's famous for its beautiful score featuring songs such as "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord" and "Day by Day."
Burgess has set the story against a backdrop of present day urban blight, "although that doesn't make a huge difference in the show," she said. The cast took the 2001 recording of the show and used it as its inspiration for the music. A band led by Matt Strand will play for the show.
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Tyler Rood, who played a funny and pivotal role in the summer Crimson Creek production of "Hair," will play Jesus in Godspell with Eric Voigt as John the Baptist and Judas. Both have been performing in local and area theater since middle school. Cast members Michelle McCauley and Victoria Bertness also will be familiar to local theatergoers (their credits also include "Hair") as will Ryan King, a student at Central High School, who starred in a 2008 community theater production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs."
Other in the cast are Katie Bachmeier, Ellen Chindvall, Emily Hoganson, Philip Muehe and Damien Walsh. The chorus includes Victor Behrens, Amy Driscoll, Ken Granle, Skye Mauch and Abby Schoenborn.
The production team includes choreographer Lon Hurst, musical director Grace St. Pierre; Brad Reissig, scenic designer and lighting designer; costume designer Michelle Spencer Davidson; Loren Liepold, sound designer; Kevin Wallin Sobek, props master; Daphne Pankratz, stage manager; and Lukas Skjaret, assistant stage manager.
Reach Tobin at (701) 780-1134; (800) 477-6572, ext. 134; or send e-mail to ptobin@gfherald.com .
