Singing, dancing and clowning around – it’s not often parables of Jesus are so creatively extracted from the bible as in Godspell.
The famed Broadway musical was launched decades before the players behind Epiphany Productions were born, but an emerging generation of Victoria artists with the new theatre company will launch Godspell this spring, and in a church no less.
The stained glass-lit hall at St. Matthias Church provides a backdrop to a script that borrows heavily from the Gospel of St. Matthew, but also doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Jesus, played by 24-year-old Griffin Lea, for one, will be recognizable with the Superman logo across his chest.
“It’s a modern take on (Godspell),” said co-director Joseph Goble. “Why not make Jesus Superman? He is the Bible’s Superman.”
Goble, 21, and 20-year-old Noelle Antonsen, both busy performers and December 2012 graduates of the Canadian Centre for the Performing Arts (CCPA) in Oak Bay, are the driving force behind the offbeat musical and Epiphany Productions theatre company.
Godspell didn’t make it to the stage at the CCPA, but Goble and Antonsen were eager to launch it anyway, so why not on their own?
“We already knew people perfect for the roles. And it’s important to create stepping stones for emerging artists,” Antonsen said. “We see so much talent here in Victoria but it’s hard to break into the theatre world.”
Antonsen and Goble are wedging in duties of directing, production and possibly musical accompaniment in Godspell with regular jobs – he is a lifeguard and swim coach, and she works for the Out of Ireland store. Goble, Antonsen and Lea are also performing in Kaleidoscope theatre’s Singin’ in the Rain at the McPherson Playhouse this month.
“We already have six days per week of rehearsals on top of our jobs and on top of Godspell,” Antonsen said. “Being at CCPA teaches you to function well in crazy-busy situations.”
They launched Epiphany Productions as a Christian-based theatre company, although both remain uneasy with that branding. Gobel is keen on big musicals and Antonsen enjoys edgier modern drama, both say Victoria has room for productions safe for kids, parents and grandparents.
“In general we want to appeal to anyone of any age and background and belief,” Antonsen said. “It’s not so much a church brand as family-friendly plays. Parents can know our plays will be good for anyone.”
Victoria has no shortage of theatre groups, but Goble and Antonsen have found broad support in the local arts community.
They’ve surpassed their $1,000 fundraising target for Godspell through the crowd-sourcing website Indiegogo. St. Matthias donated the church hall in return for a tithe (yes, 10 per cent) from ticket sales going to the Rainbow Kitchen Society. Remaining profit from ticket sales from five performances will go to pay the seven actors.
Godspell itself lacks a distinct plot, but is a series of vignettes where Jesus teaches parables to a small group of followers, and those followers act those lessons out as frenetic, overjoyed clowns.
“The cast will play instruments while singing and dancing. I was nervous at our first rehearsal, but it sounds awesome so far,” Antonsen said. “It is going to be different for Victoria theatre.”
“It’s lighthearted. It’s lots of laughs. Even with the crucifixion he’s not nailed to the cross,” Gobels points out. “It’s a beautiful play. You can do anything as long as you stay true to the intent of high energy and fun.”
Godspell runs May 30, 31, June 1, 2 at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on June 2 at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 600 Richmond Rd. See epiphanyproductionstheatre.wordpress.com for ticket information or to donate to its Indiegogo campaign.