[NEohioPAL]"Youth Captivating in 'Godspell' production

Fri Jul 12 14:58:14 PDT 2002

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YOUTH CAPTIVATING IN 'GODSPELL' PRODUCTION
by Deborah Guziak

         Charades.  The Blues Brothers.  A cell phone commercial.  Two rival 
gangs - the Sharks and Jets.  Believe it or not, these are just a few of the 
unique features of Streetsboro Community Theater's production of "Godspell".  

         Set on a litter-strewn playground, Jesus comes to the playground 
where two gangs are fighting amongst themselves.  Amid the jeers, Jesus tells 
many stories and parables of the Bible to the gangs, who eventually settle 
down and help Jesus dramatize the stories he is telling with humor, such as 
in the story of the Good Samaritan, who flashers her Master Card at the inn.
         According tot he program, the show is no presented as a religious 
statement, or as a proponent for religion, or for on religion, or even as a 
testimonial of belief in a supreme being, but as a story of entertainment 
with a powerful message for all people, of all beliefs.
         "We offer you a story of hope the we really do have the power to 
change the world - and it need not be, nor can it begin, on a world-wide 
scale.  We only need to take care of our little corner.  The rest will 
follow," an excerpt from the program stated.
         This production is the theater's youth show, which is entirely 
double cast.  But don't let the idea of a youth performance deter you from 
seeing this wonderful show.  An older-aged group couldn't have pulled off a 
show of this caliber.
         I've seen many productions at various theaters, including 
professional theaters, in Northeast Ohio, but I am truly amazed at how great 
Streetsboro Community Theater productions are.  Not only is this production 
funny with well-known songs, such as "Day by Day", "Save the People", "By My 
Side", "Turn Back, O Man", and "Prepare Ye", among numerous others, but I am 
amazed at the synchronization of the dancers, the high-quality singing, the 
musicianship of the band, and the ability of the cast and creativity of the 
show.      
         The performers are at ease with their parts and not "stiff", like so 
many community theaters can be.  The movements of SCT's performers were 
natural.  They did things people do in everyday life, such as rub their head 
with their fingers when someone was talking to them, move around and stretch 
their legs when they sit and use their hands to make a point, among many 
other movements that people do normally.
         Directors Lyle M. Hennicke and Rebecca Summers and assistant 
directors Oliver Corrigan, Sally Morris,Lucinda Springston, and Toby D'Amore 
deserve a lot of credit for their achievements in putting together a 
class-act performance, as well as handling two casts with a total of 87 
performers, about 40 of who are under the age of 12.  The cast did what they 
were supposed to do and were weel-behaved.  There was no squirming, talking 
amongst themselves or anything else that would have distracted from the show.
         The show will run at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, July 19, 20, 25, 
26, and 27 and at 4 p.m. on Sunday and July 21.  The theatre is located in 
the Streetsboro Municipal Building, 9184 S. R. 43.  Tickets are $7 for 
students, $8 for senior citizens and $10 for adults.  For reservations, call 
(330) 626-9427.  


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<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT  COLOR="#004080" SIZE=5 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Book Antiqua" LANG="0"><B><U>YOUTH CAPTIVATING IN 'GODSPELL' PRODUCTION<BR>
</FONT><FONT  COLOR="#004080" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Book Antiqua" LANG="0"></B></U>by Deborah Guziak<BR>
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<P ALIGN=LEFT></FONT><FONT  COLOR="#004080" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Book Antiqua" LANG="0"><B>         Charades.  The Blues Brothers.  A cell phone commercial.  Two rival gangs - the Sharks and Jets.  Believe it or not, these are just a few of the unique features of Streetsboro Community Theater's production of "Godspell".  <BR>
         Set on a litter-strewn playground, Jesus comes to the playground where two gangs are fighting amongst themselves.  Amid the jeers, Jesus tells many stories and parables of the Bible to the gangs, who eventually settle down and help Jesus dramatize the stories he is telling with humor, such as in the story of the Good Samaritan, who flashers her Master Card at the inn.<BR>
         According tot he program, the show is no presented as a religious statement, or as a proponent for religion, or for on religion, or even as a testimonial of belief in a supreme being, but as a story of entertainment with a powerful message for all people, of all beliefs.<BR>
         "We offer you a story of hope the we really do have the power to change the world - and it need not be, nor can it begin, on a world-wide scale.  We only need to take care of our little corner.  The rest will follow," an excerpt from the program stated.<BR>
         This production is the theater's youth show, which is entirely double cast.  But don't let the idea of a youth performance deter you from seeing this wonderful show.  An older-aged group couldn't have pulled off a show of this caliber.<BR>
         I've seen many productions at various theaters, including professional theaters, in Northeast Ohio, but I am truly amazed at how great Streetsboro Community Theater productions are.  Not only is this production funny with well-known songs, such as "Day by Day", "Save the People", "By My Side", "Turn Back, O Man", and "Prepare Ye", among numerous others, but I am amazed at the synchronization of the dancers, the high-quality singing, the musicianship of the band, and the ability of the cast and creativity of the show.      <BR>
         The performers are at ease with their parts and not "stiff", like so many community theaters can be.  The movements of SCT's performers were natural.  They did things people do in everyday life, such as rub their head with their fingers when someone was talking to them, move around and stretch their legs when they sit and use their hands to make a point, among many other movements that people do normally.<BR>
         Directors Lyle M. Hennicke and Rebecca Summers and assistant directors Oliver Corrigan, Sally Morris,Lucinda Springston, and Toby D'Amore deserve a lot of credit for their achievements in putting together a class-act performance, as well as handling two casts with a total of 87 performers, about 40 of who are under the age of 12.  The cast did what they were supposed to do and were weel-behaved.  There was no squirming, talking amongst themselves or anything else that would have distracted from the show.<BR>
         The show will run at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, July 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 and at 4 p.m. on Sunday and July 21.  The theatre is located in the Streetsboro Municipal Building, 9184 S. R. 43.  Tickets are $7 for students, $8 for senior citizens and $10 for adults.  For reservations, call (330) 626-9427.  </FONT><FONT  COLOR="#004080" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=5 FAMILY="SERIF" FACE="Book Antiqua" LANG="0"><U><BR>
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