The new production of the 1971 musical classic "Godspell" at Ephrata Performing Arts Center brings audiences plenty of good news. You'll leave the theater singing, possibly dancing, and definitely believing that we're all in this life together.
The 10-member cast fills the stage with character and comedy until, just for a moment, it seems as if this is one of Cecil B. DeMille's religious epics with a cast of thousands.
Written as a thesis by John-Michael Tebelak while he was a student at Carnegie Mellon University, "Godspell" had a new score by Stephen Swartz (another CMU alumnus and the creative force behind "Pippin") added when it hit New York. It opened off-Broadway in 1971 and moved to Broadway in 1976. Although its New York run began just a year after that other hugely successful religious-themed musical, "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Godspell" is a far more upbeat look at the life of Jesus, tracking his teachings through parables from the biblical books of Matthew and Luke.
The disciples in this cast take the actors' first names, and they are first-rate. They include Dave Brubaker, Shannon Christmann, Cara Ditzler, Eric Hassell, Erin Lampart, Karyn Reppert, Caleb Seip and Wendi Stoltzfus. Chris Cannon, a junior at Conestoga Valley High School, plays both John the Baptist and Judas. Nick Smith, a senior at Millersville University, provides a powerhouse portrait of the "Master."
Through musical numbers including "Day by Day," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side," the cast makes its way through a plethora of parables, including the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son and the Sower of Seeds. At EPAC, Jesus is a good-looking, spiky-haired guy in a white shirt and jeans, while John the Baptist wears a red-and-gold frock coat and baptizes people with a bucket and sponge.
Costumes designed by Jackie Johnson include a Charlie Brown T-shirt, a Santa hat, a pair of Renaissance Faire balloon pants, a half-dozen feather boas, a green Robin Hood felt hat, a tutu, a "Pink Ladies" satin jacket, ruby slippers and Converse sneakers. The Pharisees strut around in rolled tinfoil headpieces.
The cast turns to a rap beat at times, while referencing such timely subjects as Mad Cow Disease, PETA, trans fats, the Fulton Opera House, "The Lion King" and the previous EPAC production, "Little Shop of Horrors."
The action, directed by Jody Reppert and choreographed by David Ogden, opens with the ringing of a cell phone as the whole cast rushes onstage, each talking on a cell.
The set, designed by Christopher Smith, is a construction site, complete with steel girders, ladders, cement blocks and lumber.
Yes, "Godspell" has played everywhere from the White House to the Vatican, and once contained references to Nixon and Vietnam, but this is not your father's "Godspell."
Yea, verily, I say unto you: This one feels both timely and inspired.
"Godspell" runs at Ephrata Performing Arts Center in Tom Grater Memorial Park through Nov. 25. For tickets and showtimes, call 733-7966.
Marty Crisp is staff writer for the Sunday News. Her e-mail address is mcrisp@lnpnews.com.
