The Hawk

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Entertainment

The cast of "Godspell" was a cohesive unit.

On Oct. 16, members of the Saint Joseph's University Cap and Bells Dramatic Arts Society carried out their first performance of the hit musical "Godspell." Students, as well as members of the community, packed into Bluett Theatre with eager anticipation.

"Godspell" is known for its unique twist on the Gospel of Saint Matthew. John-Michael Tebelak wrote the play in hopes of reiterating the joy and hope found in that gospel. The material presented in the play is anything but conventional-which is probably why "Godspell" continues to captivate audiences to this day.

The members of the Cap and Bells Society exuded energy and verve throughout the entire performance, bringing the gospel to life in a different way than most of us are used to. The first half of the musical was filled with light-hearted dialogue and bits of humor. In between songs, the characters retold parables such as The Prodigal Son and The Good Samaritan in ways that made the stories come to life. The first act made obvious the subtext of the show: the formation of a loving community. The characters were initially coarse and unrefined, but came together as a family when they began to follow Jesus.

Tebelak witnessed his own church become dull and pessimistic - not exactly the environment in which he thought the gospel should be presented. Therefore, he wrote "Godspell" to be a celebration of Jesus' life. This intention is very clear in the first act when characters are clad in vibrant costumes and participate in entertaining song and dance. Throughout the entire musical, there is an undercurrent of love. Love is an intrinsic part of the gospel, and was the one of the many things that Jesus embodied.

The second half of the musical, however, took on a more serious tone as it portrayed the story of Jesus' last moments on earth. The entire atmosphere of the musical changed, giving us a clear picture of the sorrow felt by Jesus' followers when he was imprisoned and crucified. The scene in which Judas betrays Jesus still reaches out to audiences in a heart-wrenching manner; Jesus hugging Judas in that moment evokes a torrent of emotions. The musical ended with the desolate characters carrying Jesus' body from the theater. The way that "Godspell" intertwines humor and solemnity may be the reason that it continues to stir audiences. Even those who have repeatedly heard the gospel are forced to see it in a new way. Something very unique about "Godspell" that became increasingly apparent was its lack of a real main character. Although Jesus is essentially at the center of the play, each character is has a solo, and acts out a parable. Because one of the musical's messages "is to love thy neighbor," the cast must blend together well for the full effect. The members of Cap and Bells certainly conveyed a strong bond with one another, making the story all the more convincing.

The Cap and Bells Society put on an amazingly entertaining show that incorporated a wide range of emotions. Inspiring performances, a colorful cast, and engaging music make "Godspell" one performance you don't want to miss.

If you haven't already, come out to Bluett Theater, where the performance will continue until Oct. 27. This musical will leave you with a renewed understanding of the teachings of Jesus in a fun-filled, compelling way.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools