AMAZING “GODSPELL” AT IVORYTON
4/2/09

    Ten amazing young actors, ages twenty two to twenty nine, create a colorful three ring circus, equal parts Sunday School lesson, church service and revival meeting, as they bring to life the Gospel of St. Matthew.  Whether or not you’re in need of redemption, you’ll feel the spirit and the exuberance of this astonishing theatrical experience.
    The Ivoryton Playhouse will be serving up hearty helpings of John Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz’s glorious musical “Godspell” until Sunday, April 5.  What a wonderful way to prepare your soul for Easter that the whole family can enjoy!
    The show began in 1970 as a master’s thesis for Tebelak at Carnegie-Mellon University and one year later it was opening off-Broadway, with musical help from Schwartz, another Carnegie-Mellon alum.  The title is based on an old spelling of gospel and combines pop, rock ‘n roll, gospel and vaudeville as it relates the parables of the first book of the New Testament.
    First the voice of God declares his majesty and then a who’s who in the world of philosophy from Socrates to Sartre state some truths. From then on, the troupe of ten Joshua Isaacs (Jesus), Chris Gleim (John/Judas), Tiana Checchia, Patrick H. Dunn, Elizabeth Cernadas, Jorie Janeway, Robert W. Schultz Jr., Hillary Ekwall, Brent Barker and Nicole Heriot take a ragtag and motley crew, dressed in rainbow hues, and create a community of love and compassion.
    With puppets, charades, choreography and song, this merry minyan (group of ten) performs stories such as the master and the slave, the Good Samaritan, separating the sheep from the goats, casting the first stone, ending with the betrayal by Judas and the crucifixion.  A dozen inspiring songs like “Day by Day,” “We Beseech Thee,” and “All for the Best” punctuate the action in this high energy musical directed lovingly by Lawrence Thelen.
     For tickets ($35, seniors $30, students $20, children $15), call the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton (exit 3 or 4 off route 9) at 860-767-7318 or online at www.ivorytonplayhouse.com.  Performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday.
    Take a leap of faith and experience the religious revitalization that you’ll feel when you commune with this spirited ensemble gloriously bringing you the word of the Lord. Amen.