First Church to stage Godspell this March

Date: 2/27/2015

LONGMEADOW – This March, the First Church of Christ in Longmeadow is presenting the musical Godspell written by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

It has been over 20 years since First Church has held a theatrical production and director Tim Plankey is excited to bring the show to life in the unique space that is First Church’s historic New England sanctuary. Godspell is one of the lead-in events to the upcoming 300th Anniversary Celebration of First Church that will begin in October.

Godspell is one of the most popular rock musicals of all time. Messages of love, generosity, joy, and faith are presented in song, dance, and all forms of theatrical play in this exuberant, rocking, rolling, and riveting production.  The playful and poignant score by Stephen Schwartz includes such songs as “God Save the People,” “All Good Gifts” and the international hit “Day By Day.”

Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, a small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques, and hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs ranging in style from pop to vaudeville are employed as the story of Jesus’s life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’s messages of kindness, tolerance, and love come vibrantly to life.

The First Church production of Godspell has a cast of 11 ensemble actors who work together to bring the parables to life.  They need to become one entity with many individualized moving parts and personalities.  Most of the cast remains on-stage for the entire show.

Heading up the cast are Matthew Garrity as Jesus and Rev. Dr. Jay Terbush as John the Baptist and Judas. Garrity is a freshman music major at the University of Massassachusetts Amherst, and Terbush is the senior pastor at First Church. The rest of the ensemble includes Shannon Plankey, Shelby Carman, Liz Woolsey, Tassie Plankey, Jessica Terbush, Benjamin Buck, Connor Plankey and Noelle and Ryan Peluso.

The production will also feature a live band led by Musical Directors Mark Todd (Vocal Music Department head at Holyoke High School) and John Gerry-Karajanes (Director of Music at First Church).

Director Tim Plankey said, “I have been very impressed with the talent and generosity of the cast and community.  Our show has a great family feel - probably because of the many families involved in cast and crew.”  

Four families are well represented in this show. Garrity is in the cast and is joined by his sister Lisa as stage manager and mom Deb as co-producer, Terbush and his daughter Jessica are both in the cast, as are siblings Ryan and Noelle Peluso, and the entire Plankey family is taking part.

Godspell runs March 27 to 29 at the First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, 763 Longmeadow St.

Evening performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and matinee performances are at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available in the First Church office. Admission for premium seating is $20, for general seating is $15 and $12 seniors and students. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.

For ticket sales and more information, call 567-6287 or email deb@firstchurchlongmeadow.org. First Church is handicap accessible.

Parking is available along Williams Street and Longmeadow Street in front of the church as well as in the nearby lots behind the Longmeadow Community House and Center School. Godspell is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International.