Godspell is a show that was written with the express purpose of exciting an audience (I'll get to that bit later) and when I heard that, I just had to be involved with this new production.

I hadn't heard much about the show before joining the team, other than that it occupied a special place in the heart of our Director, Will Popplewell, and that it may have had something to do (vaguely) with God. The second part was actually true, but not in the way I'd thought! Following a non-traditional structure, the show is based on the parables of the Gospel of Matthew, but is definitely not about the figure of Christ. If the show does have an explicit theme, it does not reside with Jesus or his message; in fact, the resurrection is not featured at all. Rather, the show explores our own response to religion and the role of community in our lives.

The writer of Godspell, John-Michael Telebak, upon graduating from university faced the choice of either a life in the theatre or becoming an Episcopal (Anglican) priest. What a dilemma... Before he had made up his mind, he was rejected from an Easter Sunday service because of his 'eccentric' dress sense. With that, he created this show to explore the joy, humour and excitement of what he felt had been missing from the Church. (See, I told you, written to excite!). As if that wasn't enough, interspersed between Tebelak's self-proclaimed 'exciting' scenes is the yet more exciting music of Wicked composer, Stephen Schwartz. He's adapted words from some Anglican hymns and has made them seriously awesome. Particular shout out to 'Bless the Lord' which gives Hercules' 'Zero to Hero' a run for its money with its sassy gospel groove.

Fittingly for this 'exciting' show, we have a incredibly energy-filled, talent-brimmed and soulful cast (our cup, it overfloweth). Godspell is not a museum piece; every production brings out a completely different interpretation. The exceptional talent of the cast, both musical and comedic, and their improvisational prowess have shaped this show into something unique. Will and his directorial team's vision for the show heavily features bold costumes, bright lights and amazing technicolour visual bliss and is complemented by the explosive choreography of the ever effervescent Maddie Wong. I cannot wait to add to that the music of the 2012 Broadway revival of the show; it's going to be a real treat to accompany this show each night with our fantastic live band. For those of you who do know Godspell, all of this means you ain't seen nothing yet!

So what are you waiting for? 'Let's make some miracles'.

Magdalene College, Cripps Auditorium. 1st-5th March, 7.30pm, 2.30 matinee on the 5th.

Free wine 1st/2nd