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Godspell
Date and Time
Thursday May 8, 2014 Sunday May 11, 2014
GodspellDescription
Westerly High School Theatre Scrapbook Company
Godspell, May 8 – 1, 2014
Westerly High School Theatre Scrapbook Company is proud to announce it’s Spring
2014 Musical “Godspell”! May 8th-11th at Westerly High School’s Ward Auditorium.
Godspell is a fun filled, rock and roll infused retelling of the gospel of Matthew with music and lyrics by three time Oscar winning composer of “Wicked” Stephen Schwartz. The show stars Harrison Svihla as Jesus, Jacob Dowdal as John the Baptist/Judas, Erica Johnson, Erica Terranova Samantha Reed, Hannah Ornburn, Jillian DePerry, Michael Oliver, Ricky Sherry, Jesse Winters, Mary Hurley, Joshlyn Rinaldi, Katherine Rosivach, and Jalisa Burdick. Godspell will be Directed by Benjamin Barber 26, of Richmond, RI.
Barber is the co-owner and creative director of the Westerly based New Shore Productions and has been directing for 9 years, this his is his sixth show at Westerly High School. Musical Director Antonella Marie DeAngelis 22, is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she received a bachelors degree in Music History with a minor in Theatre and was the Musical Director for the Weekapaug Children’s Theatre Camp for 7 years. Choreographer Alexandrea Collins 23, recently graduated from Rhode Island College where she studied Dance and the Performing Arts. Allie Woodard who is also 23 years old is the Assistant Director for the production, Woodard starred in New Shore Productions “Talk Radio” this past December. Zachary Prescott, a Junior at WHS will be the Stage Manager for a second straight year.
David L. DeAngelis Jr. who started WHS Theatre Scrapbook Company 33 years ago will helm the production as Artistic Director and Executive Producer. DeAngelis who is a music teacher at Westerly High School makes his triumphant return after receiving a kidney transplant last April. With a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education/Voice concentration from Rhode Island College (1979) and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Theatre from New York University (1984), “Mr. D” has been spreading the love of theatre in Westerly for over three decades. He has produced Godspell twice, once in Attleboro, MA 1979 and the 1st time in 1983 as the second show ever for WHS Theatre Scrapbook. Last year, in his absence Theatre Scrapbook produced a Cabaret Musical Revue that was a culmination of every show done by the program over it’s long history in honor of the legacy that Mr. DeAngelis has made in Westerly. Now back, healthy, and energized Mr. DeAngelis, the production crew, and this cast of incredibly talented young students are hard at work brining to life the most well known story in the world with a fun new twist. As with every show it is Mr. DeAngelis’ goal to provide the students with the experience of being a part of a professional quality show including live musicians, costumes, lighting and sound. Making Godspell a show that is not to be missed!
GODSPELL, with book and original concept by John-Michael Tebelak and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, originated in 1970 as a play and Tebelak's master thesis project at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He took the show with much of the original student cast to New York for a two-week run at the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in 1971. This production caught the attention of several producers who wanted to open it off-Broadway. In the transition, they hired Stephen Schwartz to write the music. It subsequently opened off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre on May 17, 1971. It transferred to the Promenade Theatre only three months later and closed on June 13, 1976 after 2,124 performances.
Godspell is based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. In the Gospel, Jesus Christ preaches through the parables and storytelling. The show, which is not built on a traditional plot, utilizes clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics, and vaudeville to tell the story of Christ. A pageant that moves from moment to moment, Godspell is a reflection on the life of Jesus by performers who are dressed as clowns.
WHS Theatre Scrapbook Company presents “Godspell” Thursday May 8th at 7pm, Friday May 9th at 7pm, Saturday May 10th at 7pm, and Sunday May 11th at 2pm. Tickets are $20
Adults and $10 for Students and Seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Box Office at 401-315-1610 or by email at: Ddeangelis@westerly.k12.ri.usTell a Friend
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