The fall musical performed by the Colorado Mesa University (CMU) theater department, tells of God’s teaching through Jesus in a whimsical comedy.
Imagine that Jesus, played by Donovan Kriskowski, is reborn on earth in the year 1970 and lets out his inner wild child with his free spirit friends to learn about parables as taught in the gospel of Matthew in this uplifting show.
But this is no ordinary take on the “Godspell” as Cate Castelli, who plays Mary Ann, describes the show as “everything is going to be staged and presently super differently each time because this show is so open-ended!” She enjoyed the cast’s creative interpretation of their characters as she was cast as Mary Ann, who some might play as a tad dramatic. She gives the character new light with a sense of childish behavior in the presenting of her lines.
The creativity does not stop there as Castelli told of how not just the cast but the crew worked hard on making this take of “Godspell” their own.
“The writer and composer talk about how this show is really for the people who are putting them on to express themselves. The point of Godspell is to give anyone from any background access to these stories that are commonly made so inaccessible in our society,” Castelli said.
The department was excited to have its stage back for the 2021 fall season.
Donavan was filled with excitement, learning he got the leading role of Jesus Crist. Telling that it wasn’t hard playing such a dynamic character with the show itself full of “playful writing and fun and upbeat songs helped [him] maintain that sense of positivity.” But positivity wasn’t the hard part of the role, as Kriskowisk stated, there were several challenges with the role.
“Making sure he is humanized enough, and not representing him as much the son of God, but as another man living his life with a mission,” Kriskowisk said.
Kriskowisk wants those coming to the show to look out for the number “All for the Best” for not only being his favorite to perform but the best one to dance to.
“It’s a super fun, upbeat, a sorta vaudeville-style number, anyone can enjoy,” Kriskowisk said.
Tickets for CMU students are free, $22 for adults, $18 for seniors, $8 for youth. The show premieres on September 23 at 7:30 in the Moss Performing Arts Center.
