Center for the Arts Brings Biblical Stories to Life in Godspell Jr.

The Center for the Arts presents Godspell Jr. through April 8. In the musical, a group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. The “junior” version, designed for younger performers, lasts one hour and is appropriate for all ages.

The production is presented as story theater, the dramatic presentation of one or more stories told by a group of actors who play multiple roles and provide narration. It is characterized by the use of simple scenery, props and costume pieces that can be used in different ways in more than one story. The 1971 hit Godspell was the first musical written by Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin) and John-Michael Tebelak.

When asked what was most challenging about bringing this show to life, Godspell Jr. director Denise Parton explained, “Story theater is very difficult to do. Take that element and add youth who have varying knowledge of the Bible or the character of Jesus. Then try to communicate to an audience what His secret message was, and you have a challenge!”

Parton, who is also CFTA’s Director of Education shares, “The old way of doing Godspell was more hippie and clowns. I take a dystopian view of a world that needs hope. The song ‘Beautiful City’ says it best. Out of the ruins and rubble, out of the smoke, out of our night of struggle, we can see a ray of hope. The rest of the song says, We can build a beautiful city, yes we can,” Parton said. “Despite hate and chaos in the world, I encourage the cast to be the ones who make changes in this world and be the beautiful city builders.”