RAQ (Recently Asked Questions)

Here are some questions that I've been asked recently regarding our production of Godspell:

• Will the Jesus character still be addressed as "Jesus" in the show?
  I like the traditional approach of referring to characters by the first name of the actor performing them, but in regards to the Jesus character (White in our script), it can be confusing. I've seen productions where, say, Bill Smith is playing Jesus, and they call him "Bill" by name. Likewise, I've seen productions where he is called "Jesus" specifically when being addressed. The short answer for me lays within the context of the spoken lines: there are only two or three places in the script where a proper name is called for. I prefer to have NO proper names mentioned, even that of Jesus. I replace them with a "you" or "she" or "he", and when addressing Jesus directly, I have them call him "master" or "rabbi" or "teacher" which I think serves the piece better. The program will list only the actor names. The original character names and the color names will never be seen or heard by the audience.
• What's up with the color names, do they symbolize anything?
  Kinda. If you were to pick a color for Christ, white would certainly be the first one that would come to mind. Red certainly applies to Sonia. Grey certainly applies to John/Judas. But we're using them to simplify the script and make the show easier to manage. Again, the audience will never see these color names, so they're just there to make things easier for me to block and direct, honestly.
• So Blue (Herb) has no solo songs?
  Correct. But I also reserve the right to reassign songs and parts as needed to better serve the production. This gives me the ability to include performers who are not necessarily as vocally strong as their castmates, but who still bring a needed dimension to the show. Pink (Gilmer) and Blue (Herb) were both originally included for that very reason.
• I have a conflict with the rehearsal on _____, or I have a conflict with the performance on _____. Can I still participate?
  Yes to a few rehearsal conflicts, so long as they are prearranged. No to performance conflicts. Sorry. While we will likely have understudies, I need performers who can commit to the whole production schedule.
• Speaking of understudies, how will you make it worth their while to participate?
  Well, there's two approaches to casting with understudies: replacement casting and trickle-down casting. The first involves a complete duplicate set of actors, each mirroring the rehearsal work of the main castmember. While I'd love to have that many talented performers auditioning for this show, typically we'll get JUST ENOUGH great talent to fill the cast. Trickle-down casting is what's typically done in professional shows, where the leads are understudied by the second tier castmembers, and the seconds are understudied by the third tier, who are in turn understudied by the ensemble. I will try to work in at least two performances so that the understudies get a chance to perform, but I'm not sure exactly how that will all work out. It depends entirely on who auditions and who is cast.
• How big will the band be? Where are you going to put them? The Petit Playhouse is kinda small!
  We'll have a four-piece band: keyboards, guitar, drums, bass. They will be positioned up stage center, in full view of the audience. This will give the show a bit of a rock concert feel. I may have some sort of a scrim masking them, but that still remains to be unseen (bwah ha ha!).
• How are you planning to start the show?
  I won't give away the beginning, but suffice it to say that it will have a similar feel to that of the movie, underscoring that these people are "awoken" from their real lives to participate in this event, and that they each bring a different perspective to the community that they build.
• How are you planning to end the show?
  Fairly traditionally, but with some thoughtful rework of the music. No more hints than that.
• What about costumes? Are you doing the 60's/70's flower-child hippy thing?
  Nope. In the Godspell, Jr. production we did in 2003, we did the total flower-child hippy thing, and it worked great, but that was with teenagers, and they looked cute. With adults, it just doesn't play well, in my opinion. See previous posts here to see where my brain is currently regarding costumes.
• How are you handling the sets & props?
  Minimalist. I'll have only what is absolutely necessary. There will be four to six rolling "things" on stage, and ideally they will all fit together to form a single unit. They will contain props, costume pieces, musical instruments, etc. and will serve as scenic components for everything from the baptisms to the crucifixion. Other than that, I can't give you specifics yet, because I haven't started designing them.

That should tide you over.

- Sean