Director's cut: The message behind 'Godspell'

Heather Hutchison, who directs Summer Place Theatre's production of "Godspell," writes about what the play means to her - and what she hopes it will mean to audiences this weekend and next in the auditorium at Naperville Central High School.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the modern technology at our disposal, the pressure to utilize and max out its worth and the rush to, at times, go nowhere?

Having time to yourself to "breathe," meditate and pray is a luxury many can't seem to afford these days.

What you will witness during "Godspell" is God's clear, simple voice cutting through the cacophony of technology and "babble" and teaching you to listen.

We begin as tense, unfriendly and hurried modern-day actors going through the motions who are then suddenly overpowered and transformed by the "baptism" and teachings of Jesus. This band of players find themselves transported from a stark, urban theater to a beautiful ornate Vaudeville house in the 1920s, a time when life was simpler, slower and more gentle.

Was what they experienced a dream or for a brief moment in time, was this unlikely band of players enriched by the presence of God for a higher purpose? Perhaps to learn from the teachings and go forth, when all is said and done, and become teachers themselves and help form that "Beautiful City - a city of man?"

Our hope is you will allow the songs and stories you hear to penetrate through to your heart ... we are so thankful that God's Spell has seen us through this process.

It has truly been a pleasure to work with such talented players and Production Team and crew.

On behalf of all involved in "Godspell" ... Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!