How would people living on the fringe of society in New York react if Jesus walked among them today preaching his values and welcoming them into his fold?

Nolan Staysko, left, portraying Jesus, scolds Danny Nyguyen and Julie Prah in a scene from the musical Godspell. Holy Trinity Academy is presenting four performances of the production on March 25, 26 and 27. photo by Don Patterson

That is the question Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) performing arts students have been working on since September.

On March 25, 26 and 27 HTA presents the musical theatre production Godspell, a high-energy, current look at how people might connect with Jesus Christ if he was around today.

For lead actor Julie Prah, playing a character who interacts with Jesus Christ has changed her perception of Him.

“It’s made Jesus so much more real,” said Prah, a Grade 12 student. “When you experience it, it’s so much easier to connect and relate to what the people at the time (when Jesus Christ lived) were thinking. In the bible there are so many stories that you read and think, ‘What are they talking about?’ When you put it into context you can relate to it.”

During Godspell, Jesus Christ, who is played by Grade 11 student Nolan Stysko, interacts with nine unique characters. The musical portrays these individual personalities through music and colourful costumes.

Prah said every character has an opportunity to connect with Jesus through the two-hour musical, their true nature bubbling to the surface as they engage him.

“My character is sultry, playful, and there is one scene where Jesus and I have our little moment together,” said Prah. “Everyone has a moment where they connect with him and everyone does it in their own say. Some are sad, some are happy. Me, I’m sultry about it.”

The playful, energetic vibe of the musical dates back to the era when it was written. Godspell hit the Broadway stage in 1970, a time when rock musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, hit the secular theatre scene.

Godspell director Wendy Doerksen invited the students to transform the 1970s elements of the show into present day. The students’ input led the troupe down a path to a back alley in New York City. The students were also given creative rein to choose their own costumes.

“We’re all homeless and very depressed, living on the street in downtown New York, but it could be anywhere,” said Prah. “We meet this leader and it’s very optimistic.”

The characters learn a new way of looking at life through the stories Jesus tells.

Grade 12 student Matt Massinon, who plays Judas, said the play incorporates a series of stories and parables from the gospel according to Matthew.

“All of our scenes are based on different problems in the bible and they’re all things you can relate to in your life, like forgiving people when they hurt you instead of holding a grudge,” said Massinon.

The series of parables flow through the story, delivered through 1970s-era rock music with the cast belting out the tunes, backed by a chorus of 32 students and a seven piece band.

The performance will be an intense experience for the actors — physically and emotionally. The characters experience highs and lows as they try and make sense of their lives with help from Jesus Christ.

Even when a character has completed a scene, they don’t get to retreat backstage and take a breather. Rather, they retreat to a corner of the stage where they must remain in character even as fellow cast members step into the center stage for their turn in the spotlight.

“I like that, because you never lose the energy,” said Massinon. “You don’t go offstage and talk to your buddies. You have to stay in character the whole time.”

Doerksen has been working with the cast to remember all eyes could be on them at any time, so even after their scene is done they can’t relax during the two-hour show.

It’s demanding for an actor, but Massinon said he is up for the challenge.

“I feel really confident,” said Massinon. “We’ve gone through the whole thing and it’s a blast.”

Students from all corners of HTA are in on the event.

For starters, at the high point there will be 49 students on stage including 10 lead actors, 32 chorus members and seven musicians. In addition, students in construction helped build the stage, students in art painted the graffiti to evoke a downtown New York scene and students in new media designed the posters.

“For our school, this is probably the biggest musical we’ve produced,” said Doerksen, who is working with vocal director Siobhan Leyne and band director Martin Kennedy to bring Godspell to life.

“It’s been a huge collaboration with the school. That’s important, because the theme of Godspell, of coming together, has enveloped our whole school. I feel like it’s gone beyond the boundaries of the stage.”

HTA presents Godspell on March 25, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. There is also a matinee showing at 2 p.m. on March 27.

Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for adults.

For more information call the school at 403-938-2477.

tneely@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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