'Godspell' will look different at Stephen Sondheim Center in Fairfield

BY SCOTT NILES, Courier Staff Writer

April 21, 2008 01:16 pm

— FAIRFIELD — Come witness a “Godspell” like you have never seen it before.
“Godspell” will be performed at 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 18–20, 24–27 and May 1-4 at the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts.
The popular 1970s musical has received a major makeover, according to director Randy West and music director Justin Hill.
“We have taken some of the parables and songs from the 1970s musical and modernized them with themes and politics from today,” West said. “Everything we reference to in the show has to do with today’s culture as opposed to the 60s.”
Hill said he got inspiration from a lot of today’s top hip hop, jazz and swing artists to modernize the songs.
“‘Godspell’ is a musical that has been updated everytime it has been done, but I think we have updated it even more than the 2001 theater version and the Broadway version,” he said. “We have some styles of Regina Splendor and Timbaland [for example].”
“‘Godspell’ is a modern telling of the story of Jesus Christ based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew,” said lead actor Ryan Gaffney, who will play Jesus.
“This story has something for everyone,” he added. “Whether you’re religious or not, you can find some kind of joy in it.”
Mason Davis, who plays Judas, said he also thinks it has a very appealing message.
“It’s a fairly deep show. I’m not a real religious person, but this show gives you a better understanding for different religions and the cast has come together like a family here and we have all had a wonderful time doing this show,” Davis said.
The music is based on Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote the music and lyrics to the musical “Pippin,” “The Baker’s Wife,” “The Magic Show” and the current mega-hit, “Wicked.”
West has directed many successful productions of “Godspell,” but the Sondheim Center’s revival promises to be a version unlike any other, he said.
“My first experience with ‘Godspell’ was in 1977,” he said. “Since then I have played Jesus, Judas and many other of the characters for a number of years.”
West said that he has comprised around 3,000 performances of “Godspell” for a number of different theater across the country.
“It’s just a wonderful show,” he said.
Fairfield artist Robert Hoerlein created the scenic design which incorporates elements of impressionist art and even a touch of Doug Henning-style magic.
“He wanted to do a two-dimensional look, in three-dimension,” West said. “It has worked out great.”
“We have great scenes, a great cast and it’s bound to be a great performance,” he said.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the box office at (641) 472-2787. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 12 noon to 6 p.m.
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Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.

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