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 WSU 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 30-40 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 according to St. Matthew through music and dance), but it really is all about building community,” she said.
“Godspell” is at 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at Bryan. Tickets are $5 students/seniors; $10 adults. For more information call 335-3898.
(Photo by Robert Hubner, WSU Photo Services)
