"Godspell" comes to DuPage County
One of the biggest Broadway and off-Broadway shows of all times is coming to a church near you in DuPage County.
A free performance of the musical "Godspell" will be presented by a traveling company at 7 p.m. Thursday at Faith Evangelical Covenant Church, 2001 Lakeview Drive, Wheaton.
Playing the lead role of Jesus is Matthias Austin of Wheaton, graduate of Wheaton North High School and sophomore theater performance major at Huntington University, Ind.
The team producing the show is composed of students and alumni from Huntington. They travel together throughout the summer performing more than 40 shows at churches in the United States.
"This is a first-time event for us, to host this group, and they're touring in the home churches of students in the production," said the Rev. Rick Allnut, the church's pastor.
Church members will house the cast members and crew while they're in Wheaton. The traveling team includes actors and vocalists from the university, along with instrumentalists playing guitar, piano, keyboards and drums.
"One of the purposes of their tour is to do outreach for the university, so potential students and their parents can attend the event and learn more about the school," said Allnut. "And it's also a way to share an evangelical message."
"Godspell" tells the story of Jesus' time on earth and the majority of the show is based on the Book of Matthew in the Bible. The word Godspell is actually Old English for the word gospel. Also, the 14 songs in "Godspell" are words to hymns found in the Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
The Huntington University interpretation of the show has Christ cast as the director/producer of the ultimate variety show. Jesus comes to help his followers find their talent and voice, not to praise themselves, but to help spread his message.
This is the second year that the university has presented a tour with "Godspell" because of it's popularity, said Heather Barkley assistant director of public relations for the university.
"It's a new cast and crew and the theme, which is based on American Idol, is also new," she added.
Anyone who wants to learn more about the show can visit the Web site www.huntington.edu/godspell, which includes devotions, a blog from the travels of the cast and other resources. For details, call the church at (630) 653-4140.
If you go ...
What:Faith Evangelical Covenant Church will present a free performance of the musical "Godspell' with a cast from Huntington University, Ind. The musical is a Broadway classic based on the book of Matthew and life of Christ with a new twist.
When:7:30 p.m. Friday
Where:Faith Evangelical Covenant Church, 2001 Lakeview Drive, Wheaton.
Call:(630) 653-4140.