By Danielle Gordon
CCC Journalism Program
The Camden County College theater department is making final preparations for their spring 2018 musical production, Godspell.
The Camden County College Players rehearse one of their musical numbers, “Light of the World.” By Danielle Gordon, CCC Journalism Program
The college players have been rehearsing and preparing for the show, which is being directed by former Camden County College student Matthew Weil, since February. The production will open April 27.
Weil said he adapted the musical to be suitable to audience members of all faiths.
“I would not consider myself to be religious and I feel as though I was an interesting choice for a director of this play. There is a lot of religion in the show and it is a bit difficult to work around it. However, if you look past all of that, you can find something to identify with beyond the parables,” Weil said. “When I began directing Godspell, I decided to latch on to the idea of a community and what it might look and feel like to have people form around a common set of beliefs.”
Weil added as this is a history of the people, whether you believe Jesus was or was not who he said he was, he did exist and people did believe in him. He noted there is a historical aspect of people who believe in the same values as Jesus did.
“If you can approach it from a historical standpoint, I think that makes it enjoyable,” Weil stated.
Director Matthew Weil and Choreographer Kate Orlando guide a rehearsal of the show, which will open April 27. By Danielle Gordon, CCC Journalism Program
First-time stage manager Alyssa DeLuca said she likes that the play focuses on mainstream issues today. The group omitted a song in the beginning and replaced it by the actors each stating a different news headline pertaining to those issues, such as the Parkland school shooting.
“Each actor chose a headline that really meant something to them. Every night, it could be different. This isn’t scripted. It shows the reality of the life we are living in,” DeLuca stated.
One actor, Corie Bosman, who portrays Peggy in the spring production, encouraged people of all faiths to come out to see the play.
“It’s either you get the message or you have a good time,” Bosman said. “It is parables, yes, but we have fun, we joke around and we enjoy ourselves both on and off the stage. The thing about this play is that it is about the message left behind. We should all be taking care of each other, not for fear of going to hell, but just to be kind to one another. That’s what it comes down to.”
Godspell will be presented at 8 p.m. April 27 and 28, 3 p.m. April 29 and 8 p.m. May 3, 4 and 5 in the Little Theatre in Lincoln Hall on the Blackwood campus of Camden County College. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, children and Camden County College students and staff members and $8 per ticket for groups of eight or more. For more information, contact msokoloff@camdencc.edu.