Faith And Frivolity Intertwine As Morristown Pastor Leads “Godspell”

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A North Jersey-based theatre company promises a bold and captivating take on the beloved musical “Godspell,” with the production beginning this Thursday in Morristown.

Pioneer Productions Company, Inc. has never produced this show before, though director and co-founder Shanna Levine Phelps said a “good number” among the cast and crew had been in the show when they were younger.

“It's the kind of show that most musical theater kids do at least once in their lifetime,” she told Patch.

For those who haven’t seen “Godspell” or need a refresher: The show draws from the Biblical Gospels to depict Jesus’ life and teachings, leading up to his public execution. The musical, composed by Stephen Schwartz with book by John-Michael Tebelak, debuted off-Broadway in 1971 and was quickly followed by a film adaptation in 1973.

The show runs June 14-16 and June 21-23 at the Fellowship Hall in Morristown United Methodist Church, where Pioneer Productions rents space for performances. And the church’s Senior Pastor, Luana Cook Scott, makes her debut performance with the company in the role of Jesus Christ.

She told Patch that she “just wanted to be part of the show” and did not specifically audition for the role of Jesus – whom she, in her words, has “done 25 years of character study” on.

“Every Christian is called to espouse the virtues of Jesus Christ, so in theory, all Christians are method actors,” she noted.

Scott said she has not performed in a musical for a while, but noted that she enjoys community theater groups “because it’s about the love of the show and its characters, not about the individual actors.”

“Godspell” uses various storytelling techniques and musical styles to convey the moral and spiritual lessons Jesus taught through parables, or simple stories. It includes some of what Cook said she refers to as “Gospel Gold Nuggets” or “Gospel Greatest Hits,” including the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, and the stories of the Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son.

Eight non-Biblical characters sing and act out the parables as they begin to form a community of believers, while the Biblical roles of John the Baptist and the betrayer Judas are typically played by a singular person.

Through the years, “Godspell” has been staged in many different ways, putting Christ and his followers in settings which include the streets of New York City, a beach, a playground, a construction site, and a school. All 10 actors are on stage throughout the show.

Phelps said the fluidity and openness of the musical can make it challenging to produce.

“There were many times during the rehearsal process we had to stop and really think ‘What are we doing here in this scene? What are we trying to say?’” she said. “But with a cast as magnificent as this one, it has been a joy to create and we hope we have done the show proud.”

Though generally a joyful and uplifting musical, “Godspell” has an intense climax and deals with deeper themes including hypocrisy, forgiveness, doubting your faith, and feeling without community.

Phelps, who was raised in the Jewish faith, said the crucifixion scene was a particular challenge for her to connect with and bring to life.

“I never really had that sort of religious connection to the show,” she said, “Which is a difficult connection to make (or not to make in this instance) and bring to fruition being that it is based on Matthew's Gospel.”

Pioneer Productions is using an updated script from the 2011 Broadway revival, which Phelps said “adds a bit of an edge to its interpretation of the original.”

The update “makes sense since the world has only gotten bigger and more eccentric over the years,” Phelps continued, adding that the music score is “above and beyond” with more harmonies, added key changes, and different time signatures throughout.

Scott said that she connects with the “caricature”-liked characterization of Christ in this musical, as she is “animated, genuine, and often giddy” as both a pastor and a person.

“He is meant to be played with exaggeration, but more so, with frivolity,” she said.

“Just like the characterization of Jesus in Godspell, I want people to find joy in their faith.”

Scott said the first parable depicted in the show, that of the Persistent Widow, is her favorite and reminds people to be persistent in their devotion and prayers.

“(The widow) believes there has been an injustice and continually goes to a judge demanding vindication,” she said. “The judge is portrayed as apathetic and only concedes to her demands due to her persistence.”

Phelps said that at its heart, the musical is about the community which forms from eight once-disparate souls, to carry Jesus’ teachings on.

“We wanted to do something that would bring this wonderful new community in Morristown and more specifically, Morristown United Methodist Church, that we are a part of, together,” she said. “And ‘Godspell’ seemed to be the perfect way to do that.”

"Godspell" runs June 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 South Park Place in Morristown. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm., and Sunday Matinees at 3 pm. Tickets are $30.

Pioneer Productions was incorporated in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company by founding members Dan Vissers, Shanna Levine-Phelps, and Jon Mantes. Visit them online at www.pioneerproductionscompany.org.