Prepare ye the way of the Lord'

Interested in seeing an original and captivating musical about Jesus that involves finger puppets, mime, and cartwheels? Then Godspell is the show for you. One of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time is being brought to life in Tuft's Balch Arena Theater by Torn Ticket II. Godspell is based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew.

In the Gospel, Jesus Christ preaches through parables and storytelling. Godspell reproduces the gospel in a fun and light tone that makes the musical appeal to believers and non-believers alike.

You may ask yourself why you'd want to see Godspell. Isn't it like any other musical production? What makes Godspell different from other current productions is its overall mood of joy and levity, as well as the sense of community projected by the cast. These elements combine to create an entertaining production about the parables and morals of Jesus. The message transcends its religious origins, and the audience can relate to it despite its spiritual orientation.

Fun and whimsical elements are found in numerous aspects of Godspell. What other musical has Jesus sporting a Superman t-shirt? Or uses pompons and signs to illustrate a parable?

One of the most important elements of any musical is the music. In Godspell, the music is instrumental and often upbeat rock; standout numbers include the popular "Day by Day." The dance numbers are playful and energetic, and the cast is talented and lively. "We have an amazingly talented cast," said senior Dan Fink, who plays Jesus.

The storyline of Godspell follows Jesus as he instructs a group of followers about the message of God. Godspell transitions between the different stories and parables smoothly. Despite a few production setbacks, including a singer with a ruptured eardrum and very limited rehearsal time in the actual set, Godspell hasn't suffered from major production problems. Sophomore cast member Bonnie Lury affirmed that in comparison to other Tufts productions she had participated in, Godspell has been "pretty smooth."

One of the more telling themes within the musical is community, and more specifically, the importance of people coming together in order to learn important lessons. Fink explained that portraying this is one of the main challenges for any production of Godspell. "It's really important to convey that sense of community," he said.

This is precisely what Godspell does so well. From the beginning warm-up to the closing number, the cast exudes such a sense of real community and friendship. At the particular rehearsal that I attended, it began with a fun warm-up that included jumping jacks. During breaks, the cast members hung out together, talked, laughed and looked a lot like a real family.

Senior Amanda Raymond, who makes her directoral debut in Godspell, recalled the wonderful sense of community among the cast members. "The casting worked so well," Raymond said. In fact, the cast shared such a dynamic that several cast members would often hang out after rehearsals, host parties and bond.

Despite the religious themes, Raymond assures that the musical appeals to everyone. She said the main appeal of Godspell is that "it is possible to not be religious and still be moved." Fun musical numbers and great performances aside, what makes Godspell special is its overall theme of community and friendship, which the cast portrays convincingly.



'Godspell'directed by Amanda Raymond will be performed Nov. 14 at 8 p.m., Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Balch Arena Theater. Tickets are $7 for the evening shows and $6 for the matinee, on sale in the Box Office (617.627.3493).