September 9, 2015 - Panola College Drama presents Godspell as their dinner theatre production on September 25 and 26 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m., and featuring a dessert matinee on September 27 with doors opening at 1:15 p.m. and the show beginning at 2 p.m.
Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and book by John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival which played on Broadway from October 13, 2011, to June 24, 2012. Several cast albums have been released over the years and one of its songs, "Day by Day" from the original cast album, reached #13 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the summer of 1972.
Godspell is old English for the Gospel. The structure of the musical is that of a series of parables, mostly based on the Gospel of Matthew). The parables are interspersed with a variety of modern music set primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ near the end of the performance. Starting as a college project, it was re-scored for an off-Broadway production ,which became a long-running success.
Starring in Godspell are Jesus, Wyatt Windham, Shelbyville; John the Baptist, Julian Johnson, Shelbyville; Judas, Dewey Brannan, Hillsboro; and the company is composed of Tracer Lynch, Blue Ridge; Madilyn Sanford, Timpson; Mckensie Piar, Hillsboro; Alex Dutton, Shelbyville; Ericka McBurney, Houston; Laura Lindsay, Center; Caleb Wilson, Leon; Isabella Flesher, Carlisle; Sara Trahan, Hudson; Jaramie Martin, Martinsville; Mackensie Dockens, Center; Chris Caudle, Center; and Emily Jolly, Shelbyville.
Crewing the show is Keelan Moses, Designer/Costumer; Kade Lindsey, Lighting Design; Allen Avanado, Sound, Alfy Lindsey, Publicity, Megan Reynolds, Box office/House Manager, Nicole Lawhorn, Props and Makeup.
Dinner theatre tickets are $25 for Adults; $20 for Senior Citizens, Students, and Panola Family, and $15 for children 12 and under. The dinner features a full course meal with salad, dessert, and coffee, tea, or water. Dessert matinee tickets are $15.00 for Adults; $12.00 for Senior Citizens, Students, and Panola Family, and $10 for children 12 and under.The dessert matinee features a choice from a delectable selection of sweets, plus coffee, tea, or water.
For reservations, call 903-693-2064, email: tickets@panola.edu, or visit the drama webpage where a live link to the new reservation system, allowing one to reserve online and pay with a credit card will be up by September 18. Seating is limited, so reservations are highly recommended for this often sold-out event. Godspell is produced by special permission from Music Theatre International, NY, NY.
