Up In Lights Productions Presents a modern-day musical with a message of kindness, tolerance and love. Based on the Gospel according to Matthew and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, GODSPELL boasts a string of well-loved and contemporary songs, along side show stopping choreography. One of the biggest Off-Broadway successes of all time, with Grammy Award winning music and a powerhouse cast, this production is a groundbreaking reflex ion of community. 

GODSPELL is largely a Story Theatre-like retelling of Christian biblical parables punctuated and amplified by a simple, melodic score by Stephen Schwartz. For the new production opening March 14, 2008 at the Rialto Theater, director Britni Girard has stripped away the images of flower children in clown make-up and taken an updated approach to the traditional story.  After receiving rights to perform music from the 2001 Broadway Tour of GODSPELL, the production has gone from a 1970's approach to 2008. So with updated music and a clever mix of pop-culture and contemporary language to help engage audiences, Up In Lights Production of GODSPELL will be like none you've ever seen before.

GODSPELL begins with Jesus, played by Mikeal Macbeth, declaring himself as God and King in whom there is no beginning and no end.  From here the stage is set as philosophers debate the existence of God turning their frustrations into a babble of ideas and concepts singing, "Tower of Babble."  

Soon, the ensemble of philosophers, portrayed by common every day people, is forced by a storm to leave their comfortable and separate lives to seek shelter in an old run-down theater.  As they each find refuge from the storm their distress is calmed by the warmth and kindness of John the Baptist, played by Tyler Rhodes, as he welcomes the wanderers singing "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord."  Baptizing each person as they enter, John the Baptist and the entire ensemble finish the song with an overwhelming sense of acceptance and sovereignty.  Jesus soon enters and desires to also be baptized, to which John kneels before him asking Jesus baptize him instead.  The song "Save the People" is then sung by Jesus as a declaration to bring unity and salvation to all mankind.  The compassion expressed by Jesus through this song inspires the rest of the company to join with him on his mission.  Needing to find something dry to wear, they find a rack of old costumes and clothes to keep them warm.  Changing into bright and colorful costumes the cast attempts to put the vintage pieces of clothing together to create something they each feel comfortable in.

For the remainder of the First Act, Jesus attempts to spend their time together teaching them powerful messages of life and challenges each of them to follow the laws of God if they hope to earn the highest place in heaven.  Stories (parables) of the widow and the judge, the Pharisee and the tax collector, the master and the indebted servant, the Good Samaritan, Lazarus and the rich man, and the sower and the seed are all performed by the company, coming to life with exuberant, comic style.  Songs like, "All For the Best," performed as a soft-shoe number by Jesus and Judas, played by Brinn McCormick and "Light of the World," will entertain and delight audiences to the climax of the First Act.  Other important songs to include are; Elizabeth Velasquez singing "Day By Day" as she decides to follow Jesus and prays for clear vision, the rest of the cast follows in her footsteps and also decide to follow Jesus. Victoria McGrath then sings "Oh Bless the Lord, My Soul" in which she praises a patient and wise God. Jesus bids the company to put away thoughts of material things and anxieties about tomorrow to which a powerful ballad of "All Good Gifts," is performed by Dan Carey.  "Learn Your Lessons Well" has become a show stopping number, performed by Claire Doughman. 

 The song "Beautiful City" opens the second act followed by, Cassandra Powell performing "Turn Back O Man" in which she encourages mankind to give up its foolish ways and turn to God.  In a quick mood change the company members become Pharisees who question Jesus' authority. Jesus questions their questions with the song, "Alas for You", in which he scorns the Pharisees and calls them hypocrites.  All affected so deeply by the powerful words Jesus has spoken they humbly fall to their knees at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.   Jesus predicts that he will not be seen again until a future time and remembers the time of Noah when the flood swept over the land and drowned mankind.

This news saddens everyone and it is up to Jesus and Josh Nelson to bring everyone's spirits back up.  However, just as the company comes back around one of the women is thrown down onto the stage before Jesus and called an adulteress. Jesus turns to the company and proclaims that whoever is faultless can throw the first stone at her. When no one condemns her, Jesus tells her that neither will he condemn her, but that she must not sin again. The adulteress played by Jessica Dorcey turns to Jesus and sings "By My Side" in which she asks Jesus to travel with her, while off to the side, Judas is seen betraying Jesus.  

"We Beseech Thee" is sung by Steffan Scrogan and just when the song is over a large crash of thunder is heard from the storm outside which causes the electricity in the theater to go out.  So everyone joins together on the ground and in a recreation of the last supper, Jesus announces that one of the company members will betray him.  As he gives everyone bread and wine he announces that it is his body and blood.  As Jesus bids farewell to each of the members in "On the Willows" he tells them they will all eat and drink together again in the kingdom of God.   

The production concludes with a dramatic climax that will grip the audience's hearts.  Never have you seen a crucifixion and resurrection like this. 

Directed and Choreographed by Britni Girard, Music Direction by Jeremy Girard, Costume Design by Debbie Russell, Stage Managed by Jessica Hitch, Lighting Design by Cole Emarine and Technically Directed by Tyler Rhodes.

Cast members include, Mikeal Macbeth, Tyler Rhodes, Brinn McCormick, Josh Nelson, Dan Carey, Steffan Scrogan, Travis Fry, Elizabeth Velasquez, Claire Doughman, Cassandra Powell, Jessica Dorcey, Victoria McGrath, Kelsey Amick, Jennifer Wowries, and Samantha Cooley. 

The live band includes musicians from all across the front range.