Free Stage Tour Examines New Slant on the 1970s Production of GODSPELL

What happens when the biggest story in history meets the musical talent of award-winning Broadway and Disney composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, whose 40+ year career has included writing wildly popular music and lyrics for Wicked, Enchanted and Pocahontas?

Godspell, a musical telling of many of the parables of Jesus from the book of Matthew, was the result of a collaboration by newly graduated Carnegie Mellon alum Schwartz and fellow grad John-Michael Tebelak, and delighted audiences long before Schwartz's profuse string of accolades. Their show, Godspell, opened in May of 1971, went on to perform for cheering audiences for 2,124 performances and continues to be one of the most frequently produced musicals on the American stage.

The Gainesville Theatre Alliance, a 37-year collaboration between the University of North Georgia and Brenau University, will offer a free Godspell Stage Tour at 6pm, January 31, in Brenau University's Hosch Theatre (429 Academy Street, Gainesville, GA 30501). The Gainesville Theatre Alliance is a nationally acclaimed collaboration of the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, theatre professionals and the North Georgia community.

Patrons will out how GTA gust director Alan Kilpatrick, Associate Artistic Director with Atlanta's Lyric Theatre, is working to make the production fresh while showcasing its beloved score, and get a sneak peek at Cirque-inspired choreography being added to the production by Atlanta professional Jen MacQueen. MacQueen's most recent work with GTA was the choreography for CHICAGO, which brought audiences to their feet at every performance.

Godspell is part of GTA's February Festival of Theatre being performed Feb. 14-25, simultaneously with a production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing on the UNG-Gainesville stage. While the Stage Tour is free, tickets for each production range from $12 to $6 depending on seat location and can be purchased on the website, www.gainesvilleTHEATREalliance.org, or by calling the GTA Box Office at 678-717-3624, Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Patrons are advised not to dally, as GTA's most recent musical production of Beauty and the Beast sold out every performance weeks before opening day.

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