Nederland H.S. theatre presents 'Godspell'

NEDERLAND - “Prepare ye the way of the Lord…” Jaime Tran, the junior playing John the Baptist in Godspell, sings while practicing his solo.

A group of 30-40 students gather after school each day to begin rehearsing for Godspell, this year’s musical that will be preformed by the NHS Theatre Department.

Popular for its music in the 70s, Godspell is a modern retelling of the Gospel of the Matthew set in a park in an urban area. In the musical, a group of actors begin putting on a play and end up taking on the roles of Jesus and the apostles.

The department has about five weeks to get its production onstage and is crunched for time. Rehearsals are everyday after school from 3:30 – 6:00. Starting in January, the cast will begin practices as well.

“Time is our biggest enemy right now, but our students are very committed to this and always make it work,” Brook Doss, assistant director and theatre teacher, said.

Some students and teachers are questioning Brad Durio, director and theatre teacher, and Doss’s decision to open a religious show to the public.

“To me, it’s just another musical over a historical book and that book just so happens to be the Bible,” Doss said.

However, there is talk and rumors about the show being blasphemous. Curious parents have looked up the show and have found clips of Jesus wearing clown make-up and a Superman shirt.

“In reality, the make-up resembles that Jesus was mocked by people and the superhero shirt resembles his humanity. This controversy lies in peoples’ ignorance of the show. The same controversy went on back then [when the show first came out in 1971] is going on now,” Doss said.

Despite the rumors spreading, the district is still supporting the directors’ decision and will continue to financially support the musical.

“I can’t really say [how big the budget is], but it’s a very generous amount. Our district is very supportive of our theatre endeavors and sees the importance of producing a musical,” Doss said.

Godspell is a show that requires actors to be on their toes at all times while onstage.  Some of the lines are improvisation and may change throughout the show. The interpretation of each scene is left up to the actors to portray is as they see fit.

“I like how everyone has to work together and that it’s a high energy show. You will learn something you didn’t know- the true meaning of community and you’ll have a lot to think about,” Doss said.

The show is about two hours long and no school performances will be held. Performances for Godspell will be February 4, 5, 7, and 8.