'Godspell' begins second half of Clague's 90th season
"Godspell," conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time. Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, "Godspell" boasts a string of well-loved songs, led by the international hit, “Day By Day.”
As the cast performs “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All For The Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side,” the parables of Jesus come humanly and hearteningly to life. Drawing from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, "Godspell" is a groundbreaking and unique theatrical experience, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love. Featured in Clague Playhouse's production are Rick Dawson as Jesus, Isaiah Blue as John the Baptist/Judas with Michelle Cha, Kiara Durbin, Noah Furin, Kara Mincik, Amber Revelt, Nick Salazar and Michael Stolar.
"Godspell" started in 1970 as a college project of John-Michael Tebelak, a student of Carnegie Mellon University. Tebelak was born in Berea, Ohio, and he was 22 years old when "Godspell" hit New York. He was no stranger to theater. He is quoted as saying he “walked into a theater at the age of 9 and stayed there.”
Anyone who heard retired Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar speak at Clague's 90/50 Celebration knows that one of those theaters was our own Clague Playhouse. Ms. Oakar directed the first play in our barn theater, "Sunday in New York," in 1967. When she agreed to direct a play in a barn she didn’t expect any farm animals to be there. When she found chickens still roosting in the barn, she called John-Michael who came to roust them out. He also built set pieces for that play. He would have been 18 years old. Three-and-a-half years later he directed "Godspell" when it opened at La MaMa Theater in February 1971. He died in 1985 in New York.
We are pleased to welcome back "Godspell-2012 Revised Version" to our stage during our special 90/50 Season Celebration. The show will run Jan. 12-Feb. 4. Show tickets are $16 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+), and $10 for students (any age with a valid ID). Tickets can be purchased by visiting or calling the box office at 440-331-0403 Wednesday through Saturday from 1–6 p.m. or online at www.clagueplayhouse.org.
Limited free Thursday Student Tickets (high school and college) are also available by calling the box office at 440-331-0403 during regular hours to reserve a seat. Student ID should be shown at time of ticket pickup. No online reservations can be taken for free Thursday Student Tickets, and these seats are subject to availability and must be picked up by 7:30 p.m. or they will be released.