SLIDESHOW: Opening Night for Walsh's Godspell Friday

With modern touches, Walsh Middle School will debut its version of Godspell Friday night, Dec. 18 at 7.

In black and white costumes, the cast of more than 75 students brings the biblical tale of Jesus’ life and death to the Framingham middle school’s stage.

Godspell, first debut on Broadway in 1971. It was written Stephen Schwartz.

In the musical, a group of people help tell different parables by using a wide variety of storytelling techniques, with a sprinkling of comic timing.

Led by hit song Day By Day, Godspell the musical also includes Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord, Learn Your Lessons Well, All Good Gifts, Turn Back, and By My Side.

While the musical tells a biblical tale, Godspell also spreads messages of kindness, tolerance, and love.

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In September, the Framingham middle school held a community forum on its choice of musical for 2015.

“Forty-five years ago there was a need for the creation of a musical to teach acceptance and kindness as a way to build and strengthen community,” said director Sheron Doucette. “The reality is, 45 years later, the need for lessons of acceptance and kindness are still needed. Godspell today may look and in some cases sound updated but the message is the same.”

Doucette said “Chaos can break down the walls of society. Teaching lessons of kindness, love, friendship and acceptance toward your fellow man can rebuild those walls. Theatre is storytelling. Music is storytelling. Dance is storytelling. Our troop of young actors discover the remains of an abandon theater and are guided to use what they know and what they can find to enact various life lessons and eventually are on their own to go off and retell these stories with the hope of building beautiful cities.”

Max Connor has the role of Jesus/teacher. Madilyn Spear portrays John the Baptist / Judas.

The followers include:

• Suzanne Julakis
• Caitlyn Doucette
• Caitlin Davan
• Laryssa Gazda
• Brian Fintonis
• Hadley Connor
• Shannon Walker
• Diego Castrillo-Vilches
• Jacqie Luria
• Jake Benoit
• Maya Puffer
• JoJo Garcia
• Marley DeSimone
• Maddie Walsh

Walsh Middle School Theatre Arts was last year’s recipient of the MET Award for Best Middle School Musical in Massachusetts for their production of Shrek.

Shows are tonight, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19, at 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets are available in advance online only at www.showtix4u.com.

Tickets are $12 online in advance and $15 at the door.

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Photos provided by Petroni Media Company. A second slideshow will publish after the three performances are concluded.