“Godspell 2012”! in public high school
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Anonymous
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My child's HS is putting on a musical:
In just three weeks, XXXX High School will present its fall musical, “Godspell 2012”! Tickets are available right now at www.xxxx.com for this very limited engagement. This classic Broadway Musical is a modern day retelling of the Gospel of Matthew. While it was rewritten in 2012 for a more contemporary audience and issues, the musical maintains its main message of hope, love and tolerance for our modern society. A small group of student actors help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from rock to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus' life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus' universal messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life. Purchase your tickets right now for best seating options. “Godspell” will only have three shows, Saturday, November 23 at 2pm and 7pm; and Sunday, November 24 at 2pm. I'm Christian and I think the gospel is wonderful. However, our school has a huge number of immigrants, and I'm a little shocked that they decided to put this on instead of a million other plays. Can we really not talk about kindness, tolerance and love outside of how they are preached in the gospels? Our area is full of churches and I don't think any of the kids who attend the school and want to learn about the gospel will not have a chance to do so. Some of those churches are very staunchly against gay and transgender kids so another reason I would have chosen to not do this. Has anyone seen this? I'm thinking of emailing the principal and the school board. |
Anonymous
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Former theater kid here. I'm usually on the side of feeling like any school should perform any show. And I love Godspell.
That being said, in recent years, I have only heard of it being performed in Catholic high schools. I do find it a little weird for a big, diverse public district -- not because of my thoughts, but because it will surely be protested. I would not protest if I were you. Someone else probably already has. |
Anonymous
| I remember seeing this at my catholic school. Cannot even entertain the thought process about it being at a public school. Unless the 2012 rewrite took out all the religion? har har |
Anonymous
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Prepare ye, the way of the Lord…prepare ye the way of the lord.
That song is going to be stuck in my head all day now, thanks. |
Anonymous
OP here. That's my thinking too. Why chance alienating so many kids and parents? I never complain (to a fault) and will probably not this time either, but it does bother me that they would do this. |
Anonymous
Exactly!!! Kind of insane in this day and age. |
Anonymous
| Honestly, and I say this as an atheist and former theater nerd, if you are going to complain, wait until after the performances have happened. The show has been already been cast and rehearsed and is nearly ready for an audience. Maybe even see the show to see if it's as insensitive to other religions as you assume. I was in Godspell in high school and the religious parts were toned way down for a broader audience (and our Jesus really was Jewish!) If you still think it was a terrible idea, then you can complain to the administration about avoiding religious productions in the future. |
Anonymous
| Godspell is blasphemy so people of all religions can be mad at it while atheists enjoy the historical fantasy. |
Anonymous
| Everything offends someone OP. |
Anonymous
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My public high school performed Godspell in the 1990s. I’ve seen it several times since then.
I’m a bit surprised this is being performed in a public school in 2024, but I’ve thought that about other shows, too. The most recent high school play I saw had a ton of suggestive humor, which I found offensive and embarrassing since I brought my younger child. I enjoyed the show anyway. |
Anonymous
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It's also a classic - just enjoy the talented kids and the music
~past and current theatre nerd |
Anonymous
| My very diverse public HS also did Godspell in the 90s. It’s a great show for high schools because there are a lot of robust singing parts that give a lot of kids a chance to solo. No one was offended, but people were more open-minded back then. |
Anonymous
We did it at my public high school in the 1980s. I haven't seen the 2012 version. I am culturally Christian but do not practice. I worked on the crew so I've seen it over and over again. It's an affordable and easy show to put on - minimal set and only a rock band to accompany. We did it the year our choir teacher had a baby and couldn't be the director. As far as immigrants, I don't think it would be a problem for Catholics. And I believe Islam recognizes Jesus as a historical personage and prophet. In my experience Buddhists are not the ones who care what kind of Western art is on offer. So which immigrants are going to mind? My dominant impression from the show is that it's about companionship along life's hard road (beyond the Christ metaphor). Here's what some theater teachers have to say... https://community.schooltheatre.org/communities/community-home/digestviewer/viewthread?GroupId=133&MID=3873 |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't protest unless I was offended in someway.
Sometimes SJW aren't needed. I did question the music teacher when the school choir was going to sing the original Baby it's Cold outside though. |
Anonymous
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Would you have an issue with them performing Fiddler on the Roof?
I am a non-religious agnostic but I have no issue with this. It's a great show. |