Modern staging gives 'Godspell' global perspective

By Melanie Barker Correspondent

VIRGINIA BEACH

"Godspell " has been around for almost 40 years, but Eric Harrell says audiences will see and hear a very different show when Regent University opens its production of the 1971 musical this weekend.

Harrell, who is chair of Regent's theatre department, is directing the show on what he calls a "global playscape."

Each member of the cast, except for the actor playing Jesus, will represent a different culture or nationality and be costumed accordingly.

The parables, which make up the play's scenes, will be performed in a variety of international and multicultural styles on a raked, curvilinear set that represents the Earth.

Harrell came up with the "global playscape" concept after viewing archival footage of the original Broadway production.

"I tried to understand what the show's creators were really attempting to do," Harrell said.

"First, there was this playful feeling about rediscovering the joy of the Gospel, and second, there was the idea of very separate individuals forming one community and functioning together based on the teachings of Christ.

"We decided to have these individuals represent different cultures and show how the Gospel transcends cultural barriers," Harrell said.

For example, the parable of the Good Samaritan is told in the style of classic Japanese Noh Theatre. Masks and fans are used, but no words are spoken.

The parable of the Unforgiving Servant is interpreted as an African Maasai tribal dance.

The opening number, which leads into "The Tower of Babel/Babble," is sung in seven languages.

All of the show's traditional musical numbers will have a different sound as well.

Thanks to a family connection, the production was able to license a new set of arrangements for the "Godspell" score created by Alex Lacamoire, who won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestration for the musical "In the Heights."

Actress Karen Olivo, who won the 2009 Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for "West Side Story," became friends with Lacamoire when she performed in "In the Heights." Olivo is married to fellow Broadway actor and Virginia Beach native Matt Caplan, whose mother is Regent University's music director, Kathi-Lee Wilson.

According to Wilson and Harrell, Lacamoire's arrangements give the songs a more contemporary rock sound than the pop-folk sound of the original.

"They're much more guitar-driven, as opposed to piano-driven," Wilson said.

The songs will be played live onstage by the seven-piece Praise Band from Beach Fellowship church under the direction of the Rev. Gary Spell, a staff pastor.

"We've got live music and dance, playground equipment, even some vaudeville and sketch comedy," said Harrell. "It's a very eclectic show."

Melanie Barker, melanbark@cox.net