BC Theatre Students Display Talents in ‘Godspell’
Students in Bluefield College’s Theatre Department presented their talents in a play called Godspell, performed in early November inside BC’s Harman Chapel.
Godspell is a musical that features stories from the Bible. The play is a modern setting of the Gospel of Matthew and follows the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ from his baptism through his teachings and parables, and finally to his death and resurrection.
Godspell first opened off Broadway in New York in 1971. In the succeeding 48 years, the show had become a staple of the American stage, performed on Broadway, on college campuses, and regional and community theatres again and again. Songs like “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” and “We Beseech Thee” have become audience favorites.
Christina Robinson, a theatre major at Bluefield College, was an actress for the play. Robinson has been involved in theatre since she was in the sixth grade.
“I enjoyed theatre because it was a different experience from everything else others were doing,” Robinson said about her lifelong love of theatre.
She also spoke about her experience with the BC version of Godspell and what she enjoyed about it.
“I enjoyed hanging out like a family and being ourselves and having fun spreading around the Word of Jesus,” she said. “I was also very nervous because it was my first time being on stage.”
The BC Theatre cast for Godspell also included students Brian Fisher as Jesus and Luke Saferight as John the Baptist and Judas. Other cast members included Ashley Burton, Claire Fisher, Nina Hairston, Mary Jones, Staley Lyle, Sarah Minnix, Carleek Owens, General Smith, Darian Spaulding, Aaron Sudderth, Madeline Surles, Andrew Viskup, and Robert Walls.
The production was directed by Bluefield College Theatre faculty members Charles M. Reese and Rebecca McCoy-Reese with music directed by alumna Alandra Blume Hinkle and choreography by Ashley Burton. The production also featured a live band with Blume Hinkle on keyboards, Surles on rhythm guitar and ukulele, Billy Burton on lead guitar, Matt Morehead on bass, and Skip Harding on drums and percussion.
“’Godspell is a very special show,” said Charles Reese. “It is so open to personal interpretation. For 48 years, casts have been presenting this beautiful, life affirming play, and every cast makes it uniquely their own. In many ways, it becomes a testament of faith for every cast that performs it.”
The BC Theatre students displayed a lot of talent presenting Godspell, and spectators are already anticipating the next play so they can observe Bluefield College’s talent once again.