Looking Forward to “Godspell”

The Fall semester is in full swing right about now, and it will be a few weeks before things wind down before the Winter holidays. For many of us in the panhandle, the recovery from Hurricane Michael is still a priority with seemingly years of planning still ahead of us before things return to normal. 

What if I told you that even now, there is a message of hope lingering in the air? One that is not far away and coming as soon as this upcoming Friday (November 1st, 2019)?

Gulf Coast State College is proud to announce that the upcoming musical, Godspell will be premiering very soon at the Amelia Center at the Gulf Coast Campus in Panama City, FL. The musical will be directed by Hank Rion, with choreography led by Lauren Kolmetz, and musical direction by John Divinge and Carissa Hosea.

In preparation for the upcoming event, I posed a few questions for Hank Rion, whom I felt would have the best insight into what the musical would be about and what the audience could expect on opening night.

What is Godspell?

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

Who is part of the cast?

The cast includes:  Cullen Heuman, Christian Sullivan, Morgan Hamby, Susannah Lloyd, Drew Rowell, Tyler Kent, Suzanne Nelson, Michael Anthony Butler, Mia Salaveria and Amy Tinch.  

What are the central themes of the play/musical?

The central theme of the play is faith, not just Christianity, but faith in the world.  In community, in spreading love.

Biggest challenge in preparing for the play?

The biggest challenge for me as a Director is that there is no setting in the script.  It is just a guideline. So all the parable and morals can be performed any way you want.  So we have written a rap, added movie parodies and even using audience members to tell the stories.  I decided to set the show in an abandoned warehouse where a group of kids come in to have a party. Then they meet an unexpected guest who teaches them all lessons.   

What’s going to make this performance special?

The show is very funny and ultimately very moving.  The cast has really bonded and have become a tribe of sorts. I think the audience will see that and become part of the tribe themselves.  

When is it happening?

Godspell:
Fri Nov 1 @ 7:30pm
Sat Nov 2 @7:30pm
Sun Nov 3 @ 2:30pm
Fri Nov 8 @ 7:30pm
Sat Nov 9 @ 7:30pm
Sun Nov 10 @ 2:30pm

Tickets at gulfcoast.edu/arts

Tickets are free to GCSC/FSU students, faculty and staff.  

When I first listened to a brief description, I thought to myself that there is definitely something significant about the timing of this play. One year after Hurricane Michael, it’s no secret that many of us are still shaken, still recovering a little bit at a time after the storm. Starting November 1st, we will all have an opportunity to experience a different message.

It may be something you have heard more than once, but there is no harm in hearing one more time – the message of hope and love that is still prevalent in the world despite these dark times.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR