BWW Preview: GODSPELL to be Produced by Egads! Theatre Company

Godspell, produced by Egads! Theatre Company comes to the Off Center Theatre located in Crown Center in Kanas City, Mo. Steven Eubank, Artistic Director of Egads! Theatre Company directs with Associate Director Tyler Parsons the musical by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John-Michael Tabelak. Various touring companies have performed the play that opened Off-Broadway on May 17, 1971. A Broadway revival ran from October 13, 2011 through June 24, 2012.

The Wall Street Journal claimed of Godspell, "A family-friendly show that deserves to run forever." Loosely based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew it features witty songs such as "Day By Day" that reached number 13 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the summer of 1972. Godspell began as a college project by students at Carnegie Mellon University and moved to Greenwich Village in the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.

The tales of Jesus spring to life on the Off Center stage, drawing on theatrical styles of pantomime, vaudeville, and tomfoolery. The Egads! Theatre Company production stars Matthew King as Jesus, Sam Wright as John the Baptist, and Judas. Joining the two are Chelsea Anglemyer, Josh Atkins, Christopher Carlson, Kenna Hall, Ryan Hruza, Kelsea McLean, Sara Morrissey, and Stefanie Stephens.

Joining Eubanks are Musical Directors Julie Danielson and Kevin Bogan, Choreographer Tiffany Powell with Amy Hurrielbrink, Sound Designer Jeff Eubank, Costume Designer Aaron Chvatal, and lights and sets by Alex Perry.

Godspell runs from February 27 through March 23, with opening night on Saturday March 1. Egads! Theatre Company is offering two matinee performances, Saturday March 15 at 2 p.m. and Sunday March 23 at 2 p.m. All evening performances begin at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $12.50 for students to $25 for premium seats. Purchase tickets at the Egads! Theatre Company website or by call the box office at 816-545-6000.

Photo courtesy of Egads! Theatre Company.