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published: Friday, May 04, 2012
Godspell
Moonlight Players perform hit musical through May 13
CLERMONT
Godspell
Moonlight Players perform hit musical through May 13
Roxanne brown | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
For the fifth time in his theater career, Orlan-do's Dan Martin will direct a Moonlight Players' cast in the production of "Godspell," a musical celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 1972 debut on Broadway.
"I've had a long history with this musical. I first directed it as part of my senior theater project in college," Martin said. "I like what it says and even if you're not religious, or whether you believe Jesus is a deity or God, the things he said are still good and are a good way to base your life."
Based on a book by John Michael Tebelak "Godspell" is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time. The musical gives life to the Gospel according to St. Matthew and the parables of Jesus Christ, and features a musical score by Stephen Schwartz, including a string of well-loved songs, led by the international hit, "Day By Day."
Other musical numbers in-clude "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All For The Best," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side."
Drawing from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, "Godspell" reflects on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love.
Martin said Tebelak wrote the musical after being turned away from Easter services one Sunday in the years of the flower child, for his long hair and torn jeans.
Since then, the production has turned into a way to make the lessons of Jesus more accessible to every person, he said.
"It was an important thing to do in that era," Martin said, adding that currently, a professional revival of the musical is running in New York. That, he said is a rarity, since usually, the rights are not granted to outside theater companies when a production is being presented on a professional stage.
The musical in Clermont is being performed with permission of Music Theatre Interna-tional. Sandy Williams is the assistant director and Denise Glicker is the stage manager and cultural consultant, an important part of the production since Glicker has been a huge help in unraveling and presenting the references to Hebrew culture through out it, Martin said.
A five-piece live band plays the music, written by Stephen Schwartz and Glen Howard is starring in the role of Jesus.
Tad Kincade plays John the Baptist and Judas, but besides that, Martin said the musical is an ensemble piece, so the 10 characters featured all play a combined role in the success of the story.
In addition, Martin said a big part of the storyline's presentation relies on the creativity of the cast in interpreting it.
"There's a lot of improv to this musical. It's kind of up to us how much we want to act it out and depends on the creativity of the cast," he said. "I've stuck to basic structure of the musical but since the cast is extremely creative, there is something new every night."
"So, I tell everybody come and be uplifted. You will leave the show feeling good," Martin said.
Godspell is running through May 13 at the Moonlight Players Theatre, located at 732B West Montrose St.
