Godspell Junior Begins Rehearsals July 31 in TD
From The Dalles United Church of Christ Congregational:
The Broadway Junior version of the hit musical Godspell will begin rehearsals with a script read-through on Sunday, July 31, at 5:00 p.m. at The Dalles United Church of Christ Congregational, 111 E. 5th St. Singers and readers of all ages are welcome to show up, and casting will be discussed then.
Preference for leads will go to teens.
Times for further rehearsals will be discussed on the 31st, but all participants will need to be available for the dress rehearsal on Thursday, August 25 at 7:00 PM, and for both performances on Friday and Saturday evenings, August 26 and 27, coinciding with the Wall Dogs in The Dalles.
There is no charge to participate, and the event is also free.
The show is a joyous presentation of the Gospel of Matthew, including hit songs such as “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye,” and “Beautiful City” and well-known passages such as the Good Samaritan, the Beatitudes, and the Prodigal Son.
The junior version is just under an hour long, and the original Broadway songs have been simplified and shortened by the composer, Stephen Schwartz.
Director Lea Mathieu is a former high school drama coach and children’s choir director, and is now the church’s minister. Before moving to The Dalles two years ago, she performed with Opera Bend; she is now a member of Cascade Singers, whose director, Garry Estep, is a consultant for this show.
The church is donating the performance space, and performance rights and materials were secured through a grant from the Wasco County Cultural Trust Coalition with funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust to support Oregon’s arts, heritage, and humanities. Godspell Jr is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Anyone with questions may contact Reverend Mathieu at the church, 541-296-2909, or at revleamathieu@gmail.com.
