Anonymous wrote: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.
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