Godspell - 2011
Godspell marked St. Andrew's Amateur Theatre Companies third production, being performed in early December of 2011.
Synopsis:
Act 1:
John the Baptist enters and brings order as he sings "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord". John the Baptist baptises the company who quickly exit. When Jests wishes to be baptised, John kneels and wishes to be baptised by him instead. Jesus brings John back to his feet and tells him that he is here to save mankind with the song, "Save the People".
Jesus preaches the law of offering gifts at the altar before God as the company acts make offerings. The company performs the story of Lazarus and the rich man. One of the company members sings "Learn your lessons well" in which she wards of eternal doom if one does not learn the laws of God.
Jesus tells the company that no one can be devoted to two masters, and that no man can can serve God and money. One of the company members tells a story of a man, who spends his life accumulating things and then dies before he can enjoy it. She then sings "O Bless the Lord, My Soul". The company recites the beatitudes and Jesus answers them however, Judas recites the final beatitude about persecuting and directs it at Jesus. The company freezes with fear about events to come. However, Jesus quickly changes the subject and sings "All for the Best" through which he assures everyone that even if life is bad, their is a reward in heaven.
The company pretends to be soldiers in the military, and Jesus pretends to be their drill sergeant. The company then acts about the story of the prodigal son. They sing "Light of the World", a song which encourages everyone to be shining beacons in the world. Jesus announces that they are taking a 10 minute break and thanks the audience for coming.
Act 2:
While one of the company members sings a reprise of "Learn your Lessons Well", the company sets up the stage for Act 2. When the song is over, another company comes through the audience and sings "Turn Back, O Man" in which she encourages mankind to give up its foolish ways and turn to God.
Company members become Pharisees who question Jesus's authority. Jesus questions their questions with a story and tells them that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love thy neighbour as thyself. He remembers the time of Noah when the flood swept over the land and drowned mankind. He predicts that when he comes again, only one man and one woman will be taken with him.
Of of the woman company members is thrown down onto the stage and called an adulteress. Jesus tells the company that the one who is faultless can throw the first stone at her. When no one condemns her, Jesus tells her that he will not condemn her but that she must not sin again. The woman sings "By my Side" in which she asks Jesus to travel with her.
As Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, Jesus tells of a time when he will sit in glory and divide men into two groups like a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. His righteous sheep will enter into heaven while the cursed goats will far eternal fire. The goats beg for mercy and sing "We Beseech Thee". Then, in a recreation of the last supper, Jesus gives the company bread and wine and announces that it is his body and blood. They will all eat and drink together again in the kingdom of God. Jesus bids farewell to his followers and prays in the garden. In a moment of uncertainty, he begs for the burden to be lifted from him and is tempted by the devil, but he orders the devil to be gone.
Judas returns to embrace Jesus. In the "Finale", Jesus sings as he dies. The company removes Jesus and carry him off as they sing "Long Live God" in harmony with "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord".
John the Baptist enters and brings order as he sings "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord". John the Baptist baptises the company who quickly exit. When Jests wishes to be baptised, John kneels and wishes to be baptised by him instead. Jesus brings John back to his feet and tells him that he is here to save mankind with the song, "Save the People".
Jesus preaches the law of offering gifts at the altar before God as the company acts make offerings. The company performs the story of Lazarus and the rich man. One of the company members sings "Learn your lessons well" in which she wards of eternal doom if one does not learn the laws of God.
Jesus tells the company that no one can be devoted to two masters, and that no man can can serve God and money. One of the company members tells a story of a man, who spends his life accumulating things and then dies before he can enjoy it. She then sings "O Bless the Lord, My Soul". The company recites the beatitudes and Jesus answers them however, Judas recites the final beatitude about persecuting and directs it at Jesus. The company freezes with fear about events to come. However, Jesus quickly changes the subject and sings "All for the Best" through which he assures everyone that even if life is bad, their is a reward in heaven.
The company pretends to be soldiers in the military, and Jesus pretends to be their drill sergeant. The company then acts about the story of the prodigal son. They sing "Light of the World", a song which encourages everyone to be shining beacons in the world. Jesus announces that they are taking a 10 minute break and thanks the audience for coming.
Act 2:
While one of the company members sings a reprise of "Learn your Lessons Well", the company sets up the stage for Act 2. When the song is over, another company comes through the audience and sings "Turn Back, O Man" in which she encourages mankind to give up its foolish ways and turn to God.
Company members become Pharisees who question Jesus's authority. Jesus questions their questions with a story and tells them that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love thy neighbour as thyself. He remembers the time of Noah when the flood swept over the land and drowned mankind. He predicts that when he comes again, only one man and one woman will be taken with him.
Of of the woman company members is thrown down onto the stage and called an adulteress. Jesus tells the company that the one who is faultless can throw the first stone at her. When no one condemns her, Jesus tells her that he will not condemn her but that she must not sin again. The woman sings "By my Side" in which she asks Jesus to travel with her.
As Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, Jesus tells of a time when he will sit in glory and divide men into two groups like a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. His righteous sheep will enter into heaven while the cursed goats will far eternal fire. The goats beg for mercy and sing "We Beseech Thee". Then, in a recreation of the last supper, Jesus gives the company bread and wine and announces that it is his body and blood. They will all eat and drink together again in the kingdom of God. Jesus bids farewell to his followers and prays in the garden. In a moment of uncertainty, he begs for the burden to be lifted from him and is tempted by the devil, but he orders the devil to be gone.
Judas returns to embrace Jesus. In the "Finale", Jesus sings as he dies. The company removes Jesus and carry him off as they sing "Long Live God" in harmony with "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord".
Cast:
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Lead Roles:
Jesus - James Galubitz Judas - Dylan Mazurek John the Baptist - Alex Rosso Jeffery - Kate Noonan Lamar - Kate Smith Herb - Luke Robinson "Light of the World" - Emma Lay "Light of the World" - Lisa Parker Robin - Rachel Freeman Joanne - Micarle Callea Peggy - Dee Horkings Sonia - Bianca Giorgetti Gilmer 1 - Erin Duan Gilmer 2 - Emily Imber Bob - Alei Calusin "On the Willows" - Elle Murphy Ali Dowling Jade Curtain Zenya Carmellotti Sheridan Adams Somer Smith |
Ensemble:
Tayla Rigo Becc Spiteri David Jelbart Samantha Hockley Cassandra Hockley Isabella Exton Ashlee Brown Jessica Rippon Marcus O'Malley Lara Brido Ebony Barker Emma Mullins Gretta Doell Chrystal D'hcuna Sheandra Da Silva Felicity Duke Lachlan Rizzoli James O'Malley Dancers: Tayla Rogan Maddy Bryne Claire O'Malley Felicity Duke James O'Malley Shani Rogan Thilinie Coyne Tegan Mower Jessica Rippon |
Crew:
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Director - Marion Bergo
Associate Director - Sarah Blight Music Director - Chris O'Malley Producer - Andrea Toohey Choreographer - Felicity Duke Main Cast Choreographer - Dee Horkings Vocal Coaches - Margot O'Malley Andrea Toohey Lighting Design - Liam Colla Lighting Operation - Liam Colla Marcus Bertino Max Gundy Cameron Terrill Sound Engineers - Stuart Willett Brendan Tannahill Stage Manager - Sarah Blight Assistant Stage Manager - Alex Giroud Backstage Crew - Marcus Colla Ashley Muraca Brendan Hubble Cassandra Hills Make Up Artists - Ris Goegan Cathy Carmellotti-Smith |
Marketing Design - Kate Noonan
Photographer - Paul Orfali Set Construction - Dylan Mazurek Travis Gorlin Sarah Blight Liam Colla Alex Giroud Kate Noonan Cassandra Hills Chris O'Malley Car Park Crew - Terry Kennedy Paul Kennedy Ian Milledge Snack Manager - Julie Mullins Canteen - The Sullivans Mara Heyland Set Art - Peter Malley Theatre Manager - Travis Gorlin Concrete Pumper - Lou Goegan |
Band:Conductor - Chris O'Malley
Keyboard 1 - Joseph Beckitt Keyboard 2 - Fr Cameron Forbes Cello - Daniel Mizgala Drums - Denis 'Doc' O'Connor Bass Guitar - Alan Kirkman Guitar 1 - Gerard Assi Guitar 2 - Mark George Tambourine - Ris Goegan |
Core Team:Marion Bergo
Chris O'Malley Margot O'Malley Andrea Toohey Denis 'DOC' O'Connor Sean O'Mahoney Ris Goegan Julie Mullins Dee Horkings Felicity Duke Micarle Callea Andrea Ryan Liam Colla Sarah Blight "Barney" |
St. Andrew's Amateur Theatre Company is a youth group of the St. Andrew's Parish, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
