CYT offers modern take on 'Godspell'
“Godspell,” the hit pop rock musical usually invoking the hippie era, is 40 years old next week, and the story it's based on — the biblical gospel of Matthew — is quite a bit older than that.
But thanks to its timeless simplicity, the John-Michael Tebelak/Stephen Schwartz creation staged in countless settings since its off-Broadway debut in 1971, is a production that will always look fresh.
Kerry Cox was happy to be asked to direct the classic for Christian Youth Theater of McHenry County, which opens “Godspell” Friday, May 13, in the Huntley High School Performing Arts Center, 13719 Harmony Road.
“I said yes because it's a show with a great creative landscape,” Cox said. “The show is very simplified as far as tech and lights and sets. It's kind of like a blank canvas for ideas.
“There's not a defined set or costuming requirements or exact casting to fit a character mold,” she said.
With no setting specified by its originators, Cox chose to present “Godspell” in a modern-day high school.
“The story revolves around students who meet a really impactful leader in their time,” she said. “We modernize the story to be what would it be like if Jesus came today in a high school setting? How would the students react; how would the staff react?”
In this version, Jesus is a caring teacher who helps students learn life lessons and brings community to segregated groups in the school — the honor roll, the athletes, the artists. The role of Jesus is filled by Jon Tlapek, and Colin Miller plays a janitor corresponding to John the Baptist.
In developing the concept and script for this show, Cox said she borrowed from the 2001 Broadway remount of “Godspell” as well as previous CYT versions, but “I loved being able to think of something fresh,” she said.
With nine locations across Chicagoland and many more around the nation, CYT is an after school theater arts program for 4- to 18-year-olds. Students who age 8 and older and enrolled in classes may audition for musicals three to four times a year.
A cast of 82 was chosen for this show. Cox and her directing team — music director Andrew Trotter, choreographer Anna Greeno and assistant director Kat McKeown — were overwhelmed with the talent that turned up.
“I was just so blessed with talented kids that auditioned,” Cox said. “From ‘Jesus' all the way down to someone who just has a small solo, we have so many talented vocalists. When we did auditions, some of the 8-year-olds were the ones that were blowing us away with their voices.
“And to top it off, they're great kids,” she said. “‘Godspell' is about kids that come together and walk together, and that's exactly what's happening in our cast.”
The actors are dedicating this show to a beloved cast member, Christian Stilwell, who died unexpectedly on April 15. Stilwell, a longtime CYT performer, was playing one of Jesus' teacher colleagues.
“We really still mourn the loss of Christian, and we really miss him,” Cox said. “He was just such a great example of God's love. He would come and help me set up early for rehearsals, and he helped make the new kids feel welcome. We always said he was aptly named.”
On the day Stilwell died, the cast met as scheduled, but Cox gave up most of the rehearsal time for kids to express their feelings.
The CYT community, including parents and children who had known Stilwell over his many years of participation, packed the cafeteria at Trinity Oaks Christian Academy in Cary the following day to share more stories of how Stilwell, junior class president at Dundee-Crown High School, had touched their lives.
Cast members performed “All Good Gifts” from “Godspell” for the funeral service at Willow Creek Community Church, Barrington.
“That was meaningful, because the kids wanted to do something with their grief,” Cox said.
She decided to honor Stilwell by not recasting his acting role, instead divvying up his lines among other actors.
“He's not replaceable,” she said. But, as a “really great vocalist,” Stilwell did have a solo that had to be filled.
“Nick Holmer was so honored to sing the part for his friend,” Cox said.
The upbeat music is one of the reasons “Godspell” has been successful for such a long time.
“Most of the songs are just really catchy, and some are just beautiful,” she said. Her favorites are “By My Side” and “We Beseech Thee.”
“Day by Day” was a popular tune in the summer of 1972.
One nod to contemporary culture in this production is a student club modeled after one in the popular television show “Glee.”
“Our show has a glee club in the high school, and they perform a little show for the disciples at one point,” Cox said. “It's very current. That's what the platform for ‘Godspell' is supposed to be. That's why in the '70s it was hippies.”
The glee club will be telling the parable of the Good Samaritan through pop songs in solos and trios. Other stories that Jesus told will also be acted out — another of the many charms of “Godspell.”
“It's one thing to read the parables that Jesus taught and learn from them as a lesson, but it's totally different to sit down and watch them acted out,” Cox said.
“This show is not serious and sad, but fun and upbeat, and it shows how a community that loves each other can be. I think it's really vibrant, and I like that about it.”
The show opens at 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, and continues through Sunday, May 22. Ticket prices range from $9 to $14. For details, visit cytchicago.org or call (847) 516-2298.
Cast of ‘Godspell'
Algonquin: Allison Anstead, Jonathan Gibbs, Danielle Klein, Philip Klein, Kaitlyn Lic, Megan Shulfer, Kennedy Smith, Kevin Stoffel, Rachael Yonamine
Barrington: Colin Miller
Barrington Hills: Kitty Hoffmann
Cary: Kaelin Agar, Kelsey Blodgett, Lauren Blodgett, Zoey Boudart, Elizabeth Considine, Brian Freeman, Trey Krause, Stephanie Marin, Julia Pearson, River Sheridan, Trinity Sheridan, Ella Spoelstra, Amber Willis
Crystal Lake: Lauren Cottrell, Chloe Eskoff, Claire Hartman, Emma Hartman, Garrett Hershey, Emily Holman, Emme Jones, Reagan Kennedy, Amie Ledermann, Audrey Ledermann, Jed Ledermann, Briana Marsalla, Annie Mihm, Tina Mihm, Aimee Oliver, Jessica Oliver, Kelsey Palmquist, Ross Relic, Jessica Santos, Brendan Shaffer, Peyton Shaffer, Maddie Spoden, Trevor Squires, Alyssa St. John, Jordyn St. John, Jessica Stengel, Adrianna Viegas, Lexi Viegas, Jeremiah Zhungu
Hampshire: Nicholas Holmer
Huntley: Deanna Golema, Molly Murk, Sophie Murk, Jon Tlapek
Ingleside: Serena Birkhoff
Island Lake: Chris O'Brien
Johnsburg: Nicole Spears
Lake in the Hills: Joshua Feltman, Harry Forman, Olivia Forman, Emma McKeown, Tim McKeown, Kristen Mills, Morgan Pritchard, Allie Wellnitz, Rachel Zeimetz
Lakewood: Henry Yentsch
McHenry: Devin Auld, Trent Noor, Samantha Stevens
Rockford: Sydney Trotter
Sleepy Hollow: Abbey Björk
Spring Grove: Aaron Brown, Molly Brown
Tower Lakes: Sean Fitzgibbons
Wonder Lake: Gina Bianchi, Kailey Bianchi
Woodstock: Kasey Theil
If you go
What: Christian Youth Theater McHenry County production of “Godspell”
When: 7 p.m. Fridays, May 13 and 20; 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14; 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21; 2 p.m. Sundays, May 15 and 22
Where: Huntley High School Performing Arts Center, 13719 Harmony Road, Huntley
Tickets: Advance sales are $12 for adults and $9 for children 2 to 17, seniors and group members. For admission at the door, add $2 per ticket. A special Family Day performance will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 14. Tickets are $9 in advance and $11 at the door.
Details: cytchicago.org or (847) 516-2298