The Riverhead Faculty and Community Theater’s production of the musical “Godspell” opens at the Jamesport Meeting House Friday night for a two-weekend run.
The musical comedy by Stephen Schwartz (“Pippin,” “Wicked”) is a series of parables from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke told with original lyrics as well as lyrics from traditional hymns set to modern music. It’s based on the book by John-Michael Tebelak, who wrote “Godspell” as his master’s thesis project in 1970.
“Godspell” opened off-Broadway, first in Greenwich Village and then on upper West Side, in 1971. Schwartz’s score — which incorporated pop, rock, folk, gospel and vaudeville — produced a top 40 hit single, “Day by Day,” in 1972. The original production closed in 1976 after 2,124 shows.
RFCT’s 10-member ensemble cast, featuring Patrick O’Brien as Jesus, is on stage throughout the two-act musical: Linda Aydinian, Heather Cusack, Julie Crowley, Manning Dandridge, Nancy DiGirolamo, Patti Hautsch, John Hudson, Peter Nolan, Fred Nydegger, Patrick O’Brien with a cameo by Glenn Abramowitz. The show is produced by Abramowitz and Jan McGoey.
Show dates and times:
Friday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.
Sunday Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
To purchase tickets call 631-987-7209 or visit Brown Paper Tickets
Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified one of the Gospels on which “Godspell” is based.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
