SMCHS Talon Theatre's
production of Godspell opens on
November 2nd in the Eagle Dome and runs through November 5th. The show is set
in a fictitious homeless encampment and is being done in partnership with the
Campus Ministry to raise awareness and support for the homeless community of
Orange County. The cast and crew have undertaken a service project in
conjunction with the production that includes a back pack and hygiene drive.
The goal is to fill 650 backpacks with necessities to be donated at the end of
the run. $1.00 of every ticket sale is being donated to the Illumination Foundation for first and last months
rent for a needy family. Junior and senior students visited the Children's
Resource Center of the Illumination Foundation in Santa Ana on a rehearsal day
to play theatre games with the children and to learn more about the important
work being done through the Illumination Foundation. The students also visited
the Isaiah House at the OC Catholic Worker where they performed the song "All
Good Gifts" from Godspell for
the residents. The set, lights, costumes, projections, and makeup for the show
are being designed entirely by Talon Theatre students. They have researched and
studied the issue of homelessness in Orange County over the course of the
production process and have been awakened to the shocking statistics and
misinformation about many in the homeless community. Godspell,
a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak, based on the Gospel of
St. Matthew, provides a context to explore social justice issues through the
parables and the story of the Passion of Jesus Christ. The musical score,
composed by Schwartz, includes such familiar hits as "Day by Day,"
and "Beautiful City." The Talon Theatre production of Godspell
is another example of how the arts can be used to make the
world a better place. Together, we can "build a beautiful city -
yes we can." This is Theatre on Purpose.
Godspell is directed
by Amy Luskey-Barth, Choreographed by Casey Garritano with Musical Direction by
W. Chris Winn and Technical Direction by Mark Robertson. For ticket information
contact www.smhs.org
