‘Godspell’ makes most of intimate setting of Geneva Underground Playhouse
“Godspell” was a big off-Broadway hit in the early 1970s and made just as big of a splash when it debuted on Broadway in June 1976 at the Broadhurst Theater.
The use of the term “big” would describe the popular musical based on the Gospel of St. Matthew when referring to its Broadway setting, especially with the musical score written by Stephen Schwartz, most recently of “Wicked” fame.
But those involved in producing the show for a Friday opening at the Geneva Underground Playhouse have to envision it in much smaller terms in a much smaller setting.
“Actually, ‘Godspell’ is really good for that small of a space because it is a really intimate play,” said Susan Able Barry, who will direct a troupe of local actors in the musical at the not-for-profit community theater located in the basement of 524 W. State St. in downtown Geneva.
Barry, a resident of Carol Stream, will be directing a play for the first time — and it will be the first time a musical of any kind has been staged at Geneva Underground Playhouse.
“The first thing was to make sure that everyone can see everything happening on the stage, and we are trying to utilize the space as best we can,” Barry said. “The band, with four members, will be in the southeast corner of theater, close to the stage.”
The band and cast will treat the audience to all of the popular tunes in the musical, including the signature song, “Day by Day,” which was near the top 10 of the Billboard pop music charts in 1972.
Polly Ludena of North Aurora, vice president of the theater’s board of directors, will be appearing in her first show at the theater as a member of the “Godspell” cast.
“This is an ensemble show and very interactive show with the audience,” Ludena said. “The smaller theater is perfect for that and, of course, everyone should be able to relate to these stories.”
Those stories are a series of parables that are the core of “Godspell,” which Schwartz based on the Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, and also has some parables from the Book of Luke.
“It does follow the life of Jesus, and it is a great show for kids,” Ludena added.
Zach Gibson of Lisle plays the role of Jesus in the play, which he says presents an interesting challenge.
“You have to make the character personable and approachable, rather than overly Biblical,” said Gibson, a 24-year-old graduate of the University of Illinois. “It is a challenge to get the points of the stories across, but they pertain to a lot of people, and no one in particular.”
Gibson agrees that “Godspell” lends itself to a small setting.
“The people being so close gives it an all-encompassing atmosphere and a fun environment for everyone,” Gibson said.
The cast, ranging in age from their 20s to 50s, includes Charlie Rucker of South Elgin in the roles of John the Baptist and Judas. The rest of the ensemble appearing in the various parables includes Ludena, Millie Schwartz of Aurora, Brenda Scharlau of Batavia, Alex Adams of St. Charles, and Harmony Barry of Carol Stream.
With her daughter, Harmony, as part of the ensemble, director Barry views “Godspell” as an ongoing family affair.
“I’ve seen the play a number of times when my brother was in it,” said Barry. “And I was in it back in high school at Addison Trail, and also as part of a theater group in Oak Park.”
The play opens at 8 p.m. today and Saturday, March 25-26, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27, then continues at 8 p.m. April 1, 2, 8 and 9, and at 3 p.m. April 3 and 10.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors older than 65 and students, and are available at guptheatre.org or (630) 677-1725. Tickets ordered through the box office phone number will be picked up at the theater the night of the performance, and must be paid for with cash or check.