Walsh Resurrects Godspell; 3 Performances This Weekend

Prepare ye for the timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love.

Godspell was the first major musical theatre offering from 3-time Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Children Of Eden); and it took the world by storm.

Led by the international hit, Day By Day, Godspell features a parade of beloved songs including Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord, Learn Your Lessons Well, All For The Best, All Good Gifts, Turn Back, O Man and By My Side.

The musical first debut on Broadway in 1971. In the musical, a group of people help tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques, and hefty dose of comic timing.

The story tells the Biblical tale of Jesus’ life, ending with the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. But Godspell spreads messages of kindness, tolerance, and love.

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, forty-five 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.”

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.

This production features 80 Walsh students in the cast, 20 students on crew.

Shows are Friday, 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.

• Godspell Book by John Michael Tebelak
• Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
• Conceived and Originally Directed by John Michael Tebelak
• Produced through special arrangements with Music Theatre International.
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• Directed by Sheron Doucette
• Choreographed by Kristen Dykeman
• Produced by Chris Brindley
• Music Direction by Mary McDermott
• Assistant Music Direction by Dan Moore
• Technical Direction by Peter Doucette
• Lighting Design by Chris Fournier
• Costume Design by Vicky VieBrooks
• Conducted by John Dassoni