By John-Michael Tebelak
Directed by Chuck McCollum
Produced by Joseph P. Stachura

June 6 through July 12, 2009
Saturdays @ 8:00 PM / Sundays @ 3:00 PM
No performance July 4 / Special performance Friday, July 10 @ 8:00 p.m.

The Knightsbridge Theatre is about to breathe new life into a family-friendly musical that's been winning over audiences since 1971. Godspell fans will delight in this playful and raucous retelling of the gospel according to St. Matthew that employs vaudeville, story theater, and improv comedy as its media. The resurrection begins June 6!

John-Michael Tebelak conceived and directed the original Godspell 38 years ago, and since then the show has evolved into countless creative productions set in all possible periods of time and locations. Tebelak's script, which spawned the 1973 film set in New York City, tells the story of a visit from Jesus to a group of everyday people. With the help of John the Baptist (played by the same actor who portrays Judas), Jesus takes these eight impressionable "disciples" under his wing to teach them the moral lessons of the bible. This is accomplished through the re-enacting of parables with song and movement, resulting in a spirited musical that has remained accessible to theatergoers throughout the decades.

During the first act, the disciples of Jesus are each encouraged to embrace a sense of community with one another, a bond that is then tested in the second act. The attraction of this play lies not in Christian propaganda, but in a message of love and compassion: basic human truths we strive for as a society. Distinguishing this Godspell from most interpretations, according to director Chuck McCollum, is the inclusion of the Resurrection. "The creators framed it not merely as a celebration of Jesus's teachings, but of the community he left behind," explains McCollum. "That same community splintered and scattered - terrified, after Jesus's execution. It was only after his resurrection that they came back together with greater faith, and fellowship, than ever before." He hopes to inspire that same sense of fellowship in Knightsbridge patrons this summer.

McCollum has sought to maintain the mischievous innocence of the original text, while remembering that the audiences of today can be grittier and "more suspicious." The songs of Godspell, which have become requisite to any musical-theater lover's repertoire, add playfulness to what could otherwise be mistaken for preachiness. While holding true to Steven Schwartz's original music, musical director Jan Roper's aim is to keep the pop-rock score fresh for discerning theatergoers of all ages. Allison Bibicoff choreographs.

$20 general admission, $18 students/seniors. Please contact us at 323-667-0955 to inquire about group discounts!