By Yasmeena Sharif ’23, News Writer

The spring musical at Newark Academy is always highly anticipated by members of the community. This year’s production of “Godspell” is no different. “Godspell” focuses on a group of people in an urban setting who learn about and carry on the teachings of Jesus.  Through interpretations of parables in scenes and songs, “Godspell” reimagines some of the teachings of the Bible. 

“Godspell’s” music helped launch Grammy, Academy, and Golden Globe Award winner Steven Schwartz’s career. The song “Day by Day” reached #13 on Billboard’s pop chart in 1972.  In fact, “Godspell’s” original cast album peaked at #50 on Billboard’s Top 200 on June 9, 1973, and stayed on the chart for 51 weeks. “Godspell” played in theaters around the world, with tours in Australia, London, Washington D.C., Toronto, and South Africa.  

In an initial production Off-Broadway in 1971, “Godspell” quickly gathered acclaim, becoming a movie in 1973, and moving to Broadway in 1976. At the time of the first production of the musical, America’s churches were quickly changing. Youth no longer felt as though pews were where they belonged, and the idea of Jesus was evolving. “Godspell” had its finger on the pulse of the times, portraying Jesus in a Superman costume, making his character more down to earth. The new approach to Jesus in the musical made the idea of Christianity more acceptable to young people, along with the play’s pop/folk/rock style music which appealed to younger audiences.  

On asked about why “Godspell” was chosen for Newark Academy’s musical this year, director Rachel Shapiro Cooper explained that the musical has a message that she thinks is important for the Newark Academy community to hear. “‘Godspell’ is a musical about being found: About self actualization and stepping into your power as an individual, despite how you ‘fit in’ the normative of the world that surrounds you. In this time where we as a country, and a community can be impacted by the notion of keeping ourselves small and even assimilating to the dominant culture, ‘Godspell’ is all too relevant.” She also commented on the fact that the music of “Godspell” is stunning, and something that she believes the Newark Academy community and the company would love. Claire Waskow ‘23, who is a cast member in the production, thinks that “definitely at the beginning [of the production}, there was some controversy when I said Godspell would be this year’s musical to some friends. The way that we’re putting on the show– we’re making it about love and community and a lot of what NA is about is love and community. Especially because the show is not set in biblical times, but instead in the 90s, I think people will be able to see past the religious aspects of the show.” Another cast member, Evan Bulan ’23, who plays Jesus in the production, commented, “[Godspell is] centered towards a single religion, and it’s really religion-oriented. I’m half Christian, half atheist, so it’s really awkward. Newark Academy is a diverse school– [the musical is] relatable to some people, but to other people not so relatable.”

The production team of “Godspell” includes director Rachel Shapiro Cooper, musical directors Viraj Lal and Jack Bender, choreographer Megan Ferentinos, assistant director Jim Coe, technical director Joey Yow, and producer Debra Ronan.  

The sixteen members of the cast are Evan Bulan as Jesus, Brian Dion as Judas, Justin Gawron as Nick, Evan Samaro as George, Claire Waskow as Lindsay, Haniya Cheema as Uzo, Margery Leit as Celisse, Zoe Fleysher as Morgan, Maddie Wolf as Telly, Yasmeena Sharif as Anna Maria, Yavan Vyas, Ashna Shah, Meredith Janay, Ben Glickman, Elena Koestel, and Andrew Kapferer as members of the ensemble.  

Be sure to support your classmates in Newark Academy’s production of “Godspell.”  “Godspell” will be performed on February 27, 28, and 29, at the Bickford Theater in Morristown.