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At South Puget Sound Community College, rehearsals are underway for an upcoming production of Godspell, the 1971 Stephen Schwartz musical inspired by popular parables from the biblical Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Schwartz went on to compose the smash hit Wicked, and Godspell is considered one of the most successful modern rock operas, alongside shows like Hair, Rent and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

hawks prairie casinoNow a vibrant group at SPSCC, a combination of students and community members, is staging the hit.

The show, while lighthearted and often very funny, focuses on Jesus Christ’s teachings of tolerance and love. The stories, songs and even the staging emphasize the theme of community. Most productions keep the entire company onstage throughout both acts of the show. At the show’s start, God speaks and declares his power, and John the Baptist baptizes the members of the company, who become followers of Jesus. A variety of musical numbers move the parable retellings along, referencing popular musical genres and maintaining a fun, upbeat energy.

spscc drama
Director Stephanie Ybarra-Rotelli (middle, in blue) poses with the cast and crew of Godspell at SPSCC.

The show’s director, Stephanie Ybarra-Rotelli, has been working in theatre for 27 years. She began acting at age ten and directing at age 20, and Godspell is her third production at SPSCC. She’s very excited about the show, cast and crew, and hopes to bring in big audiences for this weekend’s performances.

Leading the cast as Jesus is Guy Simpson III, 23. This is his first SPSCC show, but he’s been acting since he was five. Having mostly played ensemble roles before, he’s excited to step into the spotlight as Jesus.

spscc drama
The show is a family affair for Guy Simpson III (Jesus) and his mother, Rae.

His mother, Rae Simpson, is also in the cast. She’s the soloist in the “Day by Day” number. Rae was in a previous Godspell production when Guy was a child, so he remembers hearing the show’s songs as lullabies, making this production even more special for him. His favorite number is “Turn Back, O Man.”

Nykiah Smith-Hardin, 31, is the “O Bless the Lord” soloist, and her appearance in Godspell will be her very first theatrical performance. She wasn’t very familiar with the show before taking the plunge and auditioning, though she knew how popular it was. She also loves “Turn Back, O Man,” and is looking forward to her stage debut.

Sam Davis, the production’s assistant director, is a SPSCC student. She’s earning class credit while working on the show. This is her third stage production, all of which have been at the college.

spscc drama
Nykiah Smith-Hardin is making her stage debut in Godspell.

Sam has experience in acting and stage management, and she used to do television work, sometimes appearing on her grandmother’s TCTV show “Living Solutions.” She describes herself as “very dramatic,” a term that can easily be applied to the whole cast. Her favorite song in the show is “Tower of Babble,” the opening number.

Tickets for Godspell are available through The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Performances will take place May 26, 27 and 28 at 7:00pm and May 29 at 2:00pm on the main stage at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts.

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