Concord High students will sing, dance and perhaps teach a lesson or two with their winter performance. Godspell opens tonight in the high school auditorium.
The musical features a series of parables and teachings of Jesus in the new testament of the Bible set to contemporary music. It was composed by Stephen Schwartz and was written by John-Michael Tebelak in the 1970s. In 2011, Schwartz updated the arrangements for a revival of the show on Broadway.
It was this revival version that caught the attention of Concord High director Clint Klose, who saw it in 2012. He loved the updated music and thought it would be a good fit for the students.
“It’s a new interpretation of an old classic,” he said.
The show includes parables such as the stories of John the Baptist, the master who forgives his servant’s debt, the good Samaritan, Lazarus and the rich man, the prodigal son, the last supper and others.
Klose said the students had a mix of knowledge of the stories. Some had been to church before and knew the stories well; some students heard the stories, but didn’t know them well; and some had no familiarity with them and had to ask lots of questions.
Klose said that even if not familiar with the show, people might know some of the songs. “Day by Day” is one those popular songs, reaching No. 13 on Billboard’s top hits.
“You’ll fall in love with the show again instantly,” Klose said.
The students received lots of support from Godspell professionals.
Schwartz – who won Tony and Grammy awards for compositions in Pippin, Wicked and several Disney movies – wrote the students a personal letter. He offered them encouragement and wished their production well, Klose said.
George Salazar, who made his Broadway debut as a soloist in the Godspell revival, came to Concord to work with students. On a school holiday, he held a workshop with students, watched and critiqued their show, and offered insight, Klose said.
“This is not an easy show,” he said.
The opening number, “Tower of Babble,” which is omitted in some versions of the show, features the cast as philosophers signing their own viewpoints, overlapping each other. Klose said it has a Glee-like quality, with the other voices being the only accompaniment.
In addition to the characters of Jesus, played by junior Daniel Desmond, and John the Baptist/Judas, played by sophomore Daniel Gaby, most of the 13-member cast have a scene with a solo.
In Godspell, the whole cast stays on stage for most of the show. This makes the cast very bonded, Klose said. “They make great friends for life.”
Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and there is also a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. They will be sold at the door or by calling 717-7670.
Klose warned that the Friday shows sold out quickly for past performances and to reserve early to ensure availability.