The Steitz City Players (SCP) are holding their summer production of the classic musical and movie “Godspell” later this week at Coleman Memorial Park.
Two shows will run this week, the first on Friday, August 16, and the second the following Saturday, August 17. On both days, the show begins at 6:30pm, though gates will open at 5:30pm. Both will be held at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in the park at 1400 West Maple Street in Lebanon, and admission is by donation. Rain dates for the event are August 23 and 24.
Eliot Sash, a member of the original Godspell Road Tour, will attend the show and a question-and-answer session with the ensemble cast following the performance.
“Godspell,” originally penned by John-Michael Tebelak (story) and Stephen Schwartz (music), began as an off-Broadway production in 1971 and became a runaway success, spurring a movie several years later and a Broadway revival in 2011. The show follows an ensemble of characters spreading the message of love and acceptance throughout New York City in a series of parables based on Biblical gospel.
Nine featured players will star in the ensemble cast: Brooke Halinar, Mariano Santiago, Alex Garcia, Paige Hall, Maliah Mercado, Alec Reich, Gloria Tice, Karly Zimmerman, and Nick Stueckroth.
Auditions for roles in the production were held earlier this year, and SCP Founding Artistic Director Steffan Bomberger has been enthusiastic about the community’s involvement with the production, saying in a press statement that the organization has been “blown away by the traction we’ve seen in the engagement we’ve had with our community and audience[…].”
Bomberger, in an phone conversation with LebTown, stated that SCP chose this story for its “themes of community building, looking to the future and creating a better tomorrow.” He hopes it will be an “inspiration to the community.”
The production has been funded partially by grants from Lebanon County Commissioners as well as the Bishop Foundation. SCP also partnered with Friends of Coleman Memorial Park to make the show a reality.
For more information, check out the Steitz City Players’ webpage or visit them on Facebook.
This post has been updated with an additional cast member.