theatre by brad hart
what ways, if any, will this one differ from the first?
RS: Actually, this is our fifth production of Godspell. We first produced it at our
little theatre-in-the-round in National City back in 1982, then again in ’87. Mount-
ed it at the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza in 1994 and at the Coronado Theatre in
2002. Each production has had its own flavor, because we use the unique talents
of each cast member and there are a lot of local and current cultural references.
Rage: Can audiences expect any 2009 present day influences or relevance in this particular
version of a musical nearly forty years old?
RS: Godspell stays relevant because the story is universal. Freshening the
orchestrations and the cultural references helps as well… and we’ve got San
Diego’s hottest band kicking behind it all.
Rage: “Day By Day” really sticks out in my mind when I think of Godspell. Are there any other
musical numbers in the production for which you have a certain fondness?
RS: “Day By Day” is great—it went high into the Top 40 in ’72 - and Season Duffy,
who sings it in our production, does a terrific job with it. So many of the songs
serve a particular moment in the story… but “All Good Gifts” (sung by the amaz-
ing Leonard Patton) and the rockin’ gospel choir sound of “We Beseech Thee” can
really stand by themselves.
Godspell’s Director Robert Smyth
Rage: With so many wonderful works such as Wicked, Pippin and of course Godspell, what do
you think is it about Stephen Schwartz that makes him so successful?
RS: Musically he’s clever, catchy and can handle a wide spectrum of styles, but
I think his biggest strength is that he understands the human heart better than
most composers.
Rage: What can you tell us about the Lamb’s Players Theatre’s cast of Godspell?
RS: They’re great! Easily some of the top singers in San Diego. Season Duffy
and Jon Lorenz are members of our full-time ensemble and we add to that, the
remarkable Tracy Hughes, Leonard Patton, Greg Thompson and Lance Arthur
Smith (who just hit a home run in the musical Bed & Sofa at Cygnet). And we
Cast of LPT’s 2002 production
welcome a newcomer to San Diego from back East, Jessica Couto.
Center Stage with
Rage: How long have you been affiliated with Lamb’s Players Theatre?
DireCtor
RS: I’m starting my 34th year with the company… how did that happen?!
Rage: What is it you enjoy most about your profession?
robert Smyth
RS: Collaborating with great artists and getting pay for doing what I love.
from Lamb’S PLayerS theatre
Rage: What have been some of the most memorable productions you have directed in the
on the uPComing ProDuCtion of
past?
Godspell
RS: I’ve directed over 120 productions here; favorites include The Light In The
Piazza (which won the Union-Tribune’s Top Show of the Year, last year), Metamor-
Rage: For our readers who may not be familiar with it, what can you tell us about Stephen phoses (most of it took place in a pool built into the stage), Hamlet (we played
Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak’s classic and award winning musical Godspell? it very quick, with the audience as the young prince’s confidant)… Joyful Noise
Robert Smyth: Not familiar with Godspell? I guess there may be some young- (which we took off-Broadway in 2000 and are remounting here in the fall).
sters around that don’t know it. Because it is such a versatile piece and each pro-
duction can be very different from any other, it remains one of the most produced Rage: Finally, what do you hope audiences will come away with after seeing this presenta-
pieces in the American musical theatre canon. It came out of a graduate school tion of Godspell?
experiment (both Tebelak and Schwartz are Carnegie Mellon grads) and opened RS: I hope they come away with hope.
off-Broadway in 1971 (the year Lamb’s Players Theatre began). It’s a modern
retelling of the Gospel of Saint Matthew. Lamb’s Players Theatre presents Godspell
Starting July 9 at the Horton Grand Theatre
Rage: Is this the second time Lamb’s Players Theatre will present a production of Godspell. In For tickets and more information call 619.437.0600.
10 RAGE monthly | July 2009
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