‘Godspell’ opens Nov. 4 at WSCC.

November 2, 2016

wscc_godspell‘Godspell’ opens Nov. 4 at WSCC. 

#MasonCountyArts

VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The 40th anniversary production of Stephen Schwartz’s rock musical “Godspell” will open to local audiences on November 4, in West Shore Community College’s Center Stage Theater.

“Godspell” is the story of Jesus and the formation of a community, told through a series of lessons and parables, and by a retelling of the Passion story, all set to music.

“Godspell,” which debuted in 1971, was the first major musical theatre offering from three-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz and it took the world by storm.

Led by the international hit, “Day By Day,” “Godspell” features a parade of beloved songs including “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All For The Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side.”

The production is part of the college’s 50th anniversary celebration and it is the third time the show has been a part of the Performing Arts Series. The college first staged the show in the spring of 1974 and was reprised in 1987.

Adam Knudsen will play one of the two identified roles as Jesus and Judas will be portrayed by Elliot Plummer. The remainder of the ensemble are Erin Webb, Sean Gilbert, Lorrell Pepple, Joey Mankus, Kaedin Plummer, Chloe Pepera, Donisha Brewer, Marcelina Shriver and Ashley Andrews.

The cast will be supported with an orchestra comprised of Char Betka, rehearsal pianist/ pit keyboardist, Tom Parks, drums/percussion, Dave Kosla, guitar 1, Stephen Plummer, guitar 2, and Jason Hargreaves, bass. The orchestra will be under the musical direction of Co-Producer Ted Malt, who is the director of Performing Arts Series and professor of music at the college.

“The cast is a great mix of community members and college students and I am thrilled to be directing this musical production of ‘Godspell,'” said Michelle Kiessel, director of the production.

Kiessel is well known on the WSCC stage and is back directing after her acclaimed success last year with “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” a collaboration with the Ludington Area Center for the Arts.

The remainder of the production staff includes Michael “Mik” Mikula, co-producer and scenic designer, Elliott Plummer, vocal coach, Adam Knudsen, resident audio engineer, Matt Crescenzi, resident audio engineer, Amanda Colleen, resident lighting designer, Susan Barnard, costume designer, Marty Cupp, charge painter/scenic decorator, and Emily Hartrum, stage manager.

Joey Mankus, Kaedin Plummer, Marcelina Shriver, and Emily Hartrum are WSCC theater scholarship students.

Show dates are Nov. 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 6 and 13, at 2 p.m., in the college’s Center Stage Theater, located in the Arts & Science Center.

Tickets can be purchased in advance either by phone at 231-843-5507, or in person at the Schoenherr Campus Center Book Store. Box office hours are MondayFriday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tickets are also available online at www.westshore.edu.

Tickets are available on the day of the show, one hour prior to show time, from the theater box office across from the Center Stage Theater.

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