PULLMAN, Wash.– Jesus and his disciples will have the audience swaying in their seats to “Day by Day,” “Light of the World” and other classics when “Godspell” opens in the Bryan Hall Theater during Mom’s Weekend April 13-14.
“The music is just wonderful,” said Julie Anne Wieck, director of the Washington State University Opera Workshop and associate professor of music. “There is folk, rock and gospel music. There really is something for everyone.”
“Godspell,” one of the longest-running Broadway musicals ever staged, was written by Stephen Schwartz, whose most recent musical is the critically acclaimed “Wicked.”
Each Mom’s Weekend, the Opera Workshop presents a full-length production, alternating between opera and musical theater. While many productions involve 30 to 40 students, “Godspell” is an ensemble cast featuring Jesus, John the Baptist (who also plays Judas) and eight disciples. Wieck said she chooses spring performances with careful attention to student strengths, as well as audience enjoyment. “Godspell” fit the bill perfectly on those scores, she said, with the added benefit that it has a timely theme.
“It has a religious theme, (telling the parables of the Gospel accord to St. Mathew through music and dance) but it really is all about building community,” she said.
“Godspell” will play at 8 p.m. Friday, April 13 and at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Bryan Hall Theater. Tickets are $5 Students/Seniors; $10 Adults. Tickets will be on sale in the Kimbrough Music Building Lobby on April 11- 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. They will also be available at the door in Bryan Hall Theatre 1 ½ hours before each performance. For more information call (509) 335-3898.
“Godspell” is one of the many events planned for April13-15. For more information about Mom’s Weekend activities, visit www.events.wsu.edu/moms-weekend/events/index.html.
Note to Editors: Media representatives are welcome at dress rehearsals Monday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 11 starting the run at 3:30, as well as Thursday, April 12 starting the run at 7:30 p.m. Contact Wieck at (509) 335-4331 or jwieck@wsu.edu if you wish to attend.
