iBerkshires.com Columnist SectionSue Bush
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"Godspell" Cast Primed To PerformBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Wednesday, October 11, 2006
 | | Chris Eggsware as "Jesus" and six-year-old singer and "fairy princess" Naomi Parsons during an Oct. 11 "Godspell" dress rehearsal. |
North Adams - Trevor Ciempa, 10, is ready for Friday night's opening of the St. John's Player's presentation of "Godspell."
"I already know all my lines and I'm good at dancing," said the young actor. "My favorite song in the play is 'We Beseech Thee.' I like to practice my line 'it's not that kind of circle, stupid.'"
Thomas "T.J." Slater, 11, has worked very hard to get his performance just right, he said.
Thomas "T.J." Slater delivered a powerful dress rehearsal performance. |
"Sometimes you get to have fun with it," he said of the two-act show.
The community theater group began rehearsals in August and held a dress rehearsal during Oct. 11. Another dress rehearsal is scheduled for Oct. 12, and a 43-member cast will perform the play at the St. John's Parish Hall on Oct. 13 ,Oct. 14, Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.. Performances scheduled for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 are set to begin at 3 p.m.. Tickets may be reserved by calling 413-663-7879.
"Godspell" is a musical based on the Gospel of Matthew. The play opened as an off-Broadway production in 1970 and opened on Broadway in 1976. A "Godspell" movie was released in 1973. Among the best known show tunes is the song "Day By Day."
Madie Morrill, 14, unleashes "wrath" on T.J. Slater as part of the play. |
That Was Then...
The St. John Players actors range in age from six years old to adult. Theater music Director Lee Rutan is also the church choir director and has worked with multi-age groups for many years.
"I love it," he said. "I always have. The older, more experienced people help out the younger ones.'
Sarah Simon and Mary Ann Santelli share co-director responsibilities. Simon was an actor in a "Godspell" play Santelli directed 10 years ago. Simon was 11 years old when she first performed in the musical, she said.
Play Co-director Sarah Simon and in background, Music Director Lee Rutan |
"It's different because I'm directing now, and I understand the play now much better than I did at 11 years old," she said.
Simon will sing the same solo she sang a decade ago, "Oh Bless The Lord My Soul," she said.
Marissa Parker, 21, was also an actor during the previous Santelli-directed production.
"I did this play about 10 years ago with Mary Ann," Marissa said. "It can be hard because some of the younger children don't have the focus. But I do think having the different ages is good for the play. It makes it richer. And I was younger when I did it , so I see it from two perspectives."
At First, You Are Really Nervous
Gabrielle "Breezy" Poirot, 13, termed the acting and camaraderie "amazing."
"Working together makes people closer and you make so many friends," she said,
"At first, you are really nervous because you don't want to mess up," said 11-year-old Tay Santelli. "But everybody helps everybody with their part and once you get used to it, once you see that everyone messes up, then it's fun and everyone helps."
Dylan Waterhouse was cast as "Judas" for the play. |
For Emma Gregory, 12, the catalysts for her on-stage presence are simple.
"The people are fun, and I like to dance."
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberlshires.com or at 802-823-9367. |
Hey Everybody, Its Breezy From Godspell And I Just Wanted To Tell Everybody That Reads This That You've Just Gotta Have Fun With What Your Doing, Like Everybody Was Scared At The First Show/Performance. And We Did It So MANY TIMES That We Laughed About After, Like we Make Fun Of Our Mistakes Becaus Everybody Did Mess Up So Just laugh:]
<3Breezy | | from: Breezy Poirot | on: 02-08 00:00:00-2007 |
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Hey My cousin and I loved the play. We love dylan and all of the rest. Well this is my third time dointhis so im goin to go now
<3 Maria | | from: Maria | on: 10-26 00:00:00-2006 |
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| Hey, My name is Maria I am 12 years old. And iwish i could of been in this play more than you no. I went twice I loved it so much. If you no Matt who played the gutair in the play well thats my uncle. I loved all the songs but the best were prepare ye, dat by day, save the people, we beseech thee, turn back,oh man ,All for the best, final, prologue, Learn your lessons well, and by my side. Great Job Dylan, Chris,Mollie,Josh,Matt,and the rest of the BAND, Naomi,and the rest that i didnt but. I am goin to try to be in the next musicial that plays maybe some of you will be in that one two.Well Great job. I wish i went to all of the one you did. <3 Maria Denault | | from: Maria Denault | on: 10-24 00:00:00-2006 |
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hey i am 12 years old i loved the show so i went twice
i wish i could of been in it i love the song prepare ye and day by day and all for the best
good job dylan, chris, mollie, matt, naomi, and the rest off them | | from: Maria | on: 10-23 00:00:00-2006 |
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