Program notes for godspell

Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak


Music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz


Originally produced on the New York Stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan, and Joseph Beruh

Produced by the Arts Club Theatre Company on Granville Island

Described by VocalEye for audience members with vision loss on July 26, 2015

2: The Art of Collaboration

3: A Better Place

4: A Note from the Director

5: About the Creators

6: Performer Biographies

7: Creative Team Biographies

8: Full Song List with Performers

1: COMPANY CREDITS
Starring (in alphabetical order)
Danny Balkwill plays THE COP

Lauren Bowler plays THE VAMP

Andrew Cohen plays JUDAS

Jennifer Copping plays JESUS

Janet Gigliotti plays THE WAITRESS

Aubrey Joy Maddock plays JOHN THE BAPTIST

Matt Palmer plays THE ARCHITECT

Kale Penny plays THE BUSKER

Scott Perrie plays THE MISFIT

Katrina Reynolds plays THE NOMAD

Craig Salkeld plays THE HOMELESS MAN

And Lindsay Warnock plays THE STUDENT

Musical Director: Danny Balkwill

Set and Lighting Design: Alan Brodie

Set and Projection Design: Sean Nieuwenhuis

Costume Design: Connie Hosie

Sound Design: Geoff Hollingshead

Stage Manager: Angela Beaulieu

Assistant Stage Manager: Ronaye Haynes

Assistant to the Director: Anna Kuman

Musical Assistant: Caitlin Hayes

Apprentice Stage Manager: Airyn Lancaster
2: THE ART OF COLLABORATION

Godspell is the final show of our Granville Island Stage season, a season of collaborations celebrating the many facets of live theatre. The season opened last fall with Educating Rita by Willy Russell, followed by The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, and Farewell, My Lovely, an adaptation of the Raymond Chandler novel by Aaron Bushkowsky. We also brought back the hit production of Avenue Q last December. Next season, we open with John Mann’s musical journey, The Waiting Room, with libretto and direction by Morris Panych. In early 2016 we co-present, with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, Rick Miller’s multi-media spectacle Boom. The spring production will be The Valley, by award winning playwright Joan MacLeod, and next summer’s musical is Rock of Ages in a production directed by Peter Jorgensen, who also helmed Avenue Q. The annual holiday presentation will be Dean Paul Gibson’s popular production of Philip Grecian’s adaptation of It’s a Wonderful Life. I applaud those who brought this season’s productions to life and very much look forward to those involved in next season’s presentations.

Godspell was Stephen Schwartz’s first hit musical— his current hit is Wicked, which is going strong on Broadway, in London, and on tour. Godspell was born during the time when the essence of musicals was changing from traditional ‘book’ musicals (think Rodgers and Hammerstein) to more open concept shows. Godspell started in a theatre off-Broadway and was one of the first company-devised works, having been created with input from the actors, the designers, the prop makers, and everyone else associated with the production. Our director/choreographer Sara-Jeanne Hosie is following the same tradition with a re-imagining of the show relevant to contemporary audiences, but still in the spirit of the original creation. Theatre is a collaborative form and Godspell is a fitting close to our Granville Island Stage season, a season that showcased many inspired collaborations.

Bill Millerd, Artistic Managing Director
3: A BETTER PLACE

Godspell has always had a place in my heart. I’m from a country town in North-East Australia, so theatre didn’t come by every day. But my parents went to Sydney when I was quite young (the big smoke!) and saw Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell, and things were never the same in our house!

Every weekend, Dad would throw one of those on and we’d sing our hearts out. So you can imagine the excitement that coursed through our house when a touring production of Godspell came to town. I remember going with Dad to get the tickets, as there was no buying online or over the phone back then, and then going to our town’s only theatre (old, slightly decrepit, and cooled only by gigantic whirring industrial fans), and sitting close to the front and seeing that stage, not knowing exactly what would unfold before my eyes. I must have been five or six. What followed blew my tiny mind! They came streaming down the aisles, singing and dancing, and they didn’t stop. They sat in Dad’s lap; they sang Day by Day even better than my sister did; they gave me goose bumps and tingles. I felt like I’d been hit by lightning.

That’s my first memory of theatre, and my first memory of being transported by theatre to a place better than normal; a place where I forget about everything else and just get absorbed in the story being told live in front of me. It has never lost that for me, and never will. We went to see everything that ever came through town from that day on, plays and musicals, and filled out our family vinyl collection with any cast recording we could lay our hands on.

And just this past Christmas, like any Christmas with my family, my Mum and Dad and my sisters and I had Godspell blaring out of the speakers. We probably weren’t any good by professional standards (although we thought we were), but we sure were happy! As you will be tonight. Enjoy being transported to a place better than normal, and thank you for coming to our theatre.

4: A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

From the moment Jennifer Copping walked in the room she embodied the role and there was an immediate feeling from my team that we would follow her. Jesus as a woman breaks the mold, allowing us to tell a fresh story.

A train station is a transient place but it doesn’t have to be. It can be a place where there are profound moments of community. Where strangers can come together and share joys, fears, music, and laughter. If we can lift our heads and really see the other people with whom we share space on a daily basis, we can learn so much about how others exist in the world and, hopefully, make it a more welcoming, colourful place to be.

If you replace the word ‘god’ with the word ‘love’ then the true message of this piece comes through. So, when will love save the people?

5: ABOUT THE CREATORS

A native of New York City, Stephen Schwartz’s (music and new lyrics) career has spanned over four decades. After attending the Julliard School and graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in drama, Schwartz’s first major credit was the title song from the musical Butterflies are Free. Schwartz has written such hit musicals as Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972) and Wicked (2003), and contributed lyrics for a number of successful films, including Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), The Prince of Egypt (1998; music and lyrics), and Enchanted (2007). Schwartz has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, three Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, and has been nominated for six Tony Awards. He received the 2015 Isabelle Stevenson Award, a special Tony Award, for his commitment to serving artists and fostering new talent. In 2009 Schwartz was elected President of the Dramatists Guild of America, a position he continues to hold today.

John-Michael Tebelak (original concept and direction) originally produced Godspell at age 22 as his Master’s thesis project at Carnegie Mellon University in December 1970. He had been studying Greek and Roman mythology, with the deadline for his thesis two weeks away, but became fascinated by the joy he found in the Gospels. Subsequently, Tebelak directed productions of Godspell at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, the Cherry Lane Theatre, the Promenade Theatre, and on Broadway. He was named Most Promising Director of 1971 by the New York Drama Desk. He co-wrote the film version of Godspell, and directed various projects before passing away in 1985, at age 35, of a heart attack.

6: PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES

Danny is thrilled to be making his Arts Club debut with this fantastic team! Some of Danny’s career highlights include the First US National Cast of the hit Queen musical We Will Rock You, the North American premiere cast and pre-Broadway tour of Mamma Mia!, and regional casts of The Buddy Holly Story, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph, Footloose, CATS, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde, and Seussical the Musical, to name a few! He would like to thank Sara-Jeanne and Bill for this great privilege. He would also like to thank Caitlin Hayes for her valuable help. He sends his love to his friends, family and amazing wife Katie for their support through the music prep coma!


For the Arts Club: One Man, Two Guvnors; High Society; Blood Brothers; Gypsy; Cabaret. Select credits: Chelsea Hotel (Firehall Arts Centre), Les Misérables (Chemainus Theatre), Seussical (Carousel Theatre for Young People); Fiddler on the Roof (Western Canada Theatre); Drowsy Chaperone (Vancouver Playhouse, Citadel Theatre, National Arts Centre). Lauren has received a couple of Jessie Richardson Award nominations, does a lot of singing with various bands, and owns Great Wall Tea Co. Upcoming: Chelsea Hotel (Belfry Theatre). Big love to SJ, for being one of the lights in my world.

Andrew is thrilled to be making his Arts Club debut in Godspell! Select theatre: Hamelin (Axis), Urinetown (Firehall), Game Show (National tour), Chicago (Mayfield), Hunchback (Catalyst/Playhouse), Joseph (StageWest), Pvt. Wars, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and co-creator of Circle Game: reimagining the songs of Joni Mitchell (The Untitled Theatre Co.). Andrew was a Top 12 National Finalist on CBC’s Triple Sensation, and was a featured performer in the 2010 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Andrew has a BFA in acting from UBC. He would like to thank SJ, Danny, and the multi-talented company of Godspell. Up next: Buddy the Elf in CTF’s Elf: The Musical... that is, after marrying the light of his world, Anna Kuman.

What can I say? Jesus. When do you get a chance to play Jesus? So thank you Sara-Jeanne and Danny, and thank you to the Arts Club Bill and Stephanie! I am honoured to be a part of this incredible company of actors. Jennifer’s theatre highlights include Les Misérables (Mirvish), Joseph (Livent), Tommy (Mirvish), Jersey Boys (Dancap), White Christmas (Arts Club), and, most recently, Indian Arm (Rumble). Jennifer can be seen in the upcoming TV movies Mother Of All Lies and My Sweet Audrina, both for Lifetime. Favourite movie role: Becoming Redwood (Leo Award winner). Special thanks to Anna and love to my beautiful husband and boys.


“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”—Henry James. Select credits: Vi Petty-Buddy Holly (Chemainus), Glinda-Wizard of Oz (Carousel), Jacqueline- Don’t Dress For Dinner (Co-op), Adelaide-Guys and Dolls (Chemainus), A Year With Frog and Toad (Carousel, Jessie Award), Les Misérables (Arts Club), Seussical (WCT), Mamma Mia! (Mirvish), My Way (Globe), Ado Annie-Oklahoma, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Port Hope), The Rainmaker (Stage Centre), Ten Lost Years (Alumnae Theatre), Nellie-South Pacific, Rosie-Bye Bye Birdie (TUTS), Closer than Ever, Godspell (URP). A big thank you to The Talent House and love to all my family.

Aubrey’s acting career started when she played Matilda in her school (Montecito Elementary) production of Willy Wonka when she was eight years old. Since then she has played Marta in The Sound Of Music (Footlight Theatre), a Munchkin in The Wizard Of Oz (Footlight Theatre), the orphan Kate in Annie (RCMT), and Chava in Fiddler on the Roof Jr. with the Lindbjerg Academy. She is thrilled to be playing the role of John the Baptist with this amazing and talented cast! Special thanks to Sara-Jeanne and Danny for their encouragement and support, as well as to dad, mom and little brother Kai!


Matt is happy to back on the Arts Club stage. Recently Matt played Marley in a rendition of A Christmas Carol appropriately titled Bah! Humbug! this past Christmas season. Select credits: Shrek, Shrek the Musical (TUTS); Ed Jackson, Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash (Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London, England); Slim Diggins, Supernatural Noir (Fugue Theatre); Will Rogers, Will Rogers Follies (RCMT); Rooster, Annie (Gateway Theatre); Jerry, The Full Monty (Mayfield); The Number 14 (Axis Theatre); Bobby, Urinetown (Firehall); Jamie, The Last Five Years; Johnny Angel, Suds (Ophidian); Jinx, Forever Plaid, (Gateway Theatre); and Plaid Tidings (The Centre). Love to Marnie for everything.


Music and theatre often intertwine in the most interesting and beautiful ways. Godspell is no exception. As an actor, singer/songwriter, and musician, Kale is thrilled to be making his debut at the Arts Club performing in this incredible show. It has proven to be the perfect outlet for his passionate approach to the stage. Recent theatre credits include Alice Vs. Wonderland (Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre), where he played The Cheshire Cat, as well as serving as band leader and Music Director; Cruel Tears/ Lagrimas Crueles, Little Shop of Horrors, Arms and the Man (BBRT); and the title role in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown in his final year at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre Program. Kale holds a BFA (2013) in Theatre from UVic, and was the front man of Victoria bands The Bright Side, Are We Family, and Sunday Buckets. He thanks his family and friends for their continuous love and support!

Scott is thrilled to be rocking out with this incredible cast all summer long! Select theatre credits include: One Man, Two Guvnors, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Les Misérables (Arts Club), The Drowsy Chaperone, The Buddy Holly Story (Globe Theatre), La Cage Aux Folles, A Little Night Music (Vancouver Playhouse), Bat Boy: The Musical (Patrick Street). Film credits include Endgame and Psych. Scott is an accomplished singer/songwriter, having released many albums solo and with different bands over the last six years. Most recently, he collaborated with his super amazing wife Leora Joy, and released their debut album as Winsome Kind to glowing reviews. “The folk/pop affair is rife with vibrant harmonies, and there’s a candy store’s worth of sweet melodies.” (Andrea Warner, CBC Music). He recently became a Dad (!) and would like to dedicate his performance to his baby boy, Avery Jude. What a gift you are! www.scottperrie.com

Katrina is new in town and would like to thank her lucky stars that her Vancouver theatre debut is with such an amazingly talented cast and creative team here at the Arts Club!!! Select credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway), Hair (CanStage), Lorrell in Dreamgirls (StageWest, Theatre Aquarius, The Grand Theatre, MTC), Mack and Mable and Hotel Pecadillo (Shaw Festival), Lil’ Inez in Hairspray (Charlottetown Festival), Camelot, Fiddler On The Roof, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Tommy (Stratford Festival), Gary Coleman in Avenue Q (Stage West Calgary), and, most recently, Rusty in Footloose (Drayton Entertainment). As always, Kat would like to thank her incredible parents Nelson and Brenda Reynolds for their endless love and support.

Craig is a musician, singer, composer and arranger. Craig has composed soundtracks for numerous documentary films for The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. He also co-composed the song “Something Happened To My Heart” for the Showtime movie Ronnie and Julie starring Teri Garr and Joshua Jackson. He has performed with Howie Mandel, Petula Clark, and Wayne Newton, and has performed for the Queen and Prince Charles. Archaeologists have recently uncovered an old album of Craig’s called Captain Vengeance. Godspell is Craig’s first show at the Arts Club, and he is thrilled to be part of the magic!

Lindsay is so thrilled to call this amazing production of Godspell her Arts Club debut! She is a recent graduate of the Capilano University Musical Theatre Diploma Program and the subsequent Bachelor of Performing Arts Program. She was last seen as Princess Fiona in Theatre Under the Stars’ production of Shrek: The Musical, for which she received the Aida Broadbent Award and was nominated for an Ovation! Award for Outstanding Lead Performance. Huge thanks to Sara-Jeanne and Danny for this incredible opportunity and to my wonderful family and friends for their endless love and support through this journey!

7: CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Sara-Jeanne Hosie ~ Director/Choreographer

This is Sara-Jeanne’s 24th production with the Arts Club and she would like to thank Bill Millerd, Stephanie Hargreaves, and Peter Cathie White for giving her yet another wonderful opportunity. Sara-Jeanne and her awesome husband, Kevin, recently moved to Stratford where, last season, she had the pleasure of assistant directing Man of La Mancha for the Festival. This February Sara- Jeanne was honoured to be shortlisted for the Gina Wilkinson Prize for emerging female directors. Other direction and choreography: Alice vs Wonderland, My Fair Lady (Bluebridge Repertory Theatre); The Buddy Holly Story, Chickens (Chemainus Theatre); Chilina Kennedy in Concert (Stratford Festival); Blood Brothers, Altar Boyz, SUDS(Arts Club); Ruthless (Ophidian);Title of Show, Glory Days, and Songs for a New World (Co-operative Productions). Recordings: Sara-Jeanne has an album of original music entitled In Case You Didn’t Know. Online: www.sjhosie.com. Et cetera: Endless adoration to my Cast, Crew, Danny Balkwill, Anna Kuman, and my incredible design team.

Alan is pleased to return to the Arts Club, where his previous productions include Avenue Q, It’s Snowing on Saltspring, Gordon, Tear the Curtain, The Constant Wife, His Greatness, Arsenic and Old Lace, Art, and Lawrence and Holloman. Recent credits include Sweeney Todd (Vancouver Opera), Madama Butterfly (Pacific Opera Victoria), Equivocation and Cymbeline (Bard on the Beach), and Between the Sheets (Pi Theatre). A graduate of Theatre@UBC, he is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada. Alan is half- way through completion of an MFA in directing at the University of Victoria, where next year he will direct the Tennessee Williams play Summer and Smoke. He resides in Vancouver with his wife Michele and their boxer Ellie.

Sean is thrilled to be making his Arts Club debut as part of the creative team for Godspell. Selected projection design credits include Broadway: Doctor Zhivago, Jesus Christ Superstar; Regional: The Who’s Tommy, JCS, Wanderlust, Evita, Cabaret (Stratford Festival); The Mountaintop (Theatre Calgary); Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Sideways, JCS (La Jolla); A Word or Two (Ahmanson, Stratford); Opera: Faust (The Met); Nixon In China (San Francisco, Kansas City, WOO Dublin); Manchurian Candidate, Macbeth (Minnesota Opera). Other: The Handmaid’s Tale, Going Home Star (Royal Winnipeg Ballet); Mythbusters, Alton Brown, Larry King Live, Kids in the Hall (touring), and 2010 Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Connie received her training in production and management at UVic, and moonlighted in the costume shop. She had a national career in stage management before moving to Vancouver. Adding film and opera into the mix, Connie continued stage managing while adding costume design to her portfolio. Design highlights include Jeremy Tow’s You Never Can Tell and Snow White (CTF), and Hedda Gabler with Bob Frazer/Osimous Theatre, for which she earned a Jessie nomination. She and her husband, Grayson, also earned a Jessie nomination for Carousel Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Other design credits include Balm in Gilead (Studio 58), People Like Vince, 500 Words, and tagged (Green Thumb), assisting Sheila White on Mary Poppins at the Arts Club, and Barbara Clayden on Urinetown and Proud (Firehall). Meghan Gardiner’s new short film Stalled is Connie’s first foray into costume design for film.

Geoff is thrilled to be back at the Arts Club hanging out with the amazing team of Godspell. Geoff has had many roles in the theatre world including Head of Sound and Technical Director at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage for the Arts Club. In addition he has also done many sound designs for the Vancouver theatre community including most recently The Last Five Years with Lionfish Entertainment at the PAL Theatre. Previous designs with the Arts Club include Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story on tour, Henry and Alice: Into the Wild, and the world premiere of My Granny the Goldfish at the Revue Stage. In addition to his work in theatre, Geoff also has his own audio company mixing film and TV series including his Leo Award nomination for Lawrence and Holloman last year. When not creating, manipulating, and designing sounds, Geoff can be found high up in the sky training to become a commercial pilot.


Some of Angela’s favourite theatre experiences include Miss Shakespeare and J. Caesar, The Escape Artists and One Man, Two Guvnors, Theatre Calgary; The Pavilion, Osimous Theatre; One Man, Two Guvnors, The 39 Steps, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Blood Brothers, Arts Club; Urinetown: The Musical, The Shooting Stage, Firehall Arts Centre; Sex in Heaven, Lion in the Streets, Touchstone Theatre; Crazy For You, Lend Me A Tenor, and Shirley Valentine, Gateway Theatre; The Shape of a Girl, Rage, Problem Child, and New Canadian Kid, Green Thumb Theatre. In June 2008, Angela received the Mary Phillips Prize for her work behind the scenes. Love to SJT.


Ronaye last worked on The Foreigner and The Odd Couple on tour, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and 4000 Miles at the Stanley, and Red Rock Diner at the Granville Island Stage for the Arts Club. This past Christmas, she stage managed “Bah! Humbug!” for SFU Woodward’s. Prior to that, she worked on Art at the Gateway Theatre; It’s Snowing on Saltspring, Boeing- Boeing, 2 Pianos, 4 Hands, and She Stoops to Conquer for the Arts Club; and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Some of her favourite credits for the Arts Club have been Company, Miss Saigon, and SUDS. She has also had the privilege of working for the Playhouse Theatre, Green Thumb Theatre, and the Vancouver TheatreSports League. She thanks her family and friends for their love and support.

8: SONG LIST

ACT ONE

Prologue & Tower of Babble: A Cappella Group

Prepare Ye: Aubrey Joy Maddock & Andrew Cohen - Lead Vocals, Lindsay Warnock - Piano, Craig Salkeld - Bass, Scott Perrie - Electric Guitar; Kale Penny - Acoustic Guitar, Danny Balkwill - Drums

Save the People: Andrew Cohen & Jennifer Copping - Lead Vocals, Danny Balkwill - Bass, Craig Salkeld - Drums, Lindsay Warnock - Piano, Scott Perrie - Electric Guitar, Kale Penny - Acoustic Guitar

Day by Day: Janet Gigliotti - Lead Vocals, Craig Salkeld - Piano, Kale Penny - Bass, Scott Perrie - Mandolin, Matt Palmer - Acoustic Guitar, Danny Balkwill - Drums, Aubrey Joy Maddock - Violin

Learn Your Lessons: Danny Balkwill - Lead Vocals/Bass, Craig Salkeld - Drums, Scott Perrie - Electric Guitar & Acoustic Guitar, Kale Penny - Electric Guitar, Andrew Cohen - Piano

Bless The Lord: Katrina Reynolds - Lead Vocals, Danny Balkwill - Drums, Scott Perrie - Bass, Kale Penny -Electric Guitar, Craig Salkeld - Piano

All for the Best: Andrew Cohen & Jennifer Copping - Lead Vocals, Craig Salkeld - Piano, Aubrey Joy Maddock - Slide whistle, Lauren Bowler - Wood Block, Danny Balkwill - Acoustic Guitar, Washboard, Bass, and Drums, Janet Gigliotti - Egg Shaker, Scott Perrie - Banjo

All Good Gifts: Scott Perrie - Lead Vocals/Electric Guitar, Kale Penny - Acoustic Guitar, Matt Palmer - Acoustic Guitar, Danny Balkwill - Bass, Craig Salkeld - Drums

Light of the World: Kale Penny - Lead Vocals, Scott Perrie – Electric Guitar, Danny Balkwill - Drums, Craig Salkeld - Bass, Kale Penny - Electric Guitar, Andrew Cohen - Piano

ACT TWO


Turn Back O Man: Lauren Bowler - Lead Vocals, Lindsay Warnock - Piano, Craig Salkeld - Trumpet, Danny Balkwill - Trombone, Scott Perrie - Drums, Andrew Cohen - Bass,
Kale Penny - Electric Guitar & Acoustic Guitar

Scott Perrie - Acoustic Guitar, Danny Balkwill - Bass, Craig Salkeld - Piano