Evelyn Barge
A&E Assistant Editor
Photo courtesy Dan Weingarten
Hollywood and Vine will be temporarily relocated to Malibu Presbyterian Church this weekend for a modernized version of the hit musical “Godspell” that takes place at the famous Los Angeles intersection.
“When we’re at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, that is the symbol and heart of the celebrity culture,” director Valerie Mayhew said. “It’s so easy to buy into the lies that those are the things that matter, and that’s why we set our production there.”
Although the play based on the Gospel of Matthew was originally created in the 1970s, it still has a powerful message for today’s audiences, Mayhew said.
“The story itself is so relevant today, and it’s so important to hear, but it’s also too easy to look at the trappings of 1971 and be turned off by a great musical,” Mayhew said.
Mayhew said she wants to attract a new generation of “Godspell” fans to the classic Broadway play. She said she specifically hopes the modernized production will offer important lessons that are lacking in popular culture.
“I’ve been really disgusted by the celebrity worship in Southern California,” Mayhew said. “Watching the ‘O.C.’ and all these hit shows is not giving college-age adults any joy or any tools to have a fantastic life.”
The new production of “Godspell” is presented by the Winged Lion Players, a theater company created by Mayhew and producer Pamela Shaw Hanasz. The group has focused on bringing professional productions to churches and organizations in Southern California.
“Godspell” features a professional cast of 13 actors and a live musical ensemble. In updating the original play, Mayhew worked with music director Phil Swann to add new musical arrangements and high energy dancing.
“All the favorite ‘Godspell’ songs are there, but the arrangements have been updated,” Mayhew said. “We are also using a song that wasn’t in the original play, but was in the film version called ‘Beautiful City,’ which was rewritten after the L.A. riots. It’s a powerful song for our Los Angeles community.”
In addition to new musical arrangements, Mayhew said the production has been updated to reflect modern day life and values including the opening scene that takes place on a street corner.
“In the original play, the opening scene was called the ‘Tower of Babel,’ and we decided that the modern day equivalent would be something like a street corner,” Mayhew said. “In the scene we see the anger, frustration and desperation of modern life. There’s a woman who works as a waitress, an art student and young person trying to get into a club with a fake ID.”
Mayhew also said the character of John the Baptist was transformed into a homeless person in her modern interpretation of “Godspell.”
“Today, John the Baptist would be a crazy homeless person and someone you don’t want to talk to and don’t want to engage with,” she said.
Actor Tom Mesmer, who plays John the Baptist and Judas, said the updated show has been boiled down to its essence by placing more emphasis on the characters and the strength of the music.
Mesmer said his dual character is unique because “he is Jesus’ best friend and his worst enemy at the same time.”
“The way the character is written is all the more tragic,” he said. “It’s really well-done having just one actor, instead of two, portray John and Judas. My character really symbolically represents everybody.”
Actor Michael Dotson, who plays Jesus, said taking on the role of the most important figure in human history presented some challenges.
“The role itself isn’t so daunting, but the character does carry the show,” Dotson said. “The challenge is making sure my character doesn’t come off as something from another world. It’s a real challenge to find that balance between showing Jesus’ humanity and showing him as something completely non-human. I want to find those moments when Jesus is really human.”
Dotson said the production of “Godspell” comes at a time when people are rediscovering Biblical stories.
“Just like the ‘Passion’ and other movies like it, it’s exciting to see that a lot of these stories are being retold,” he said.
But the Biblical basis for the story doesn’t mean non-Christians won’t enjoy the production, Mayhew said.
“You don’t have to be a Christian to get it, to dig it, to appreciate it,” she said. “I hope to bring people who’ve never set foot into a church before into this sanctuary to be a part of a transformation.”
Mesmer agreed and said everyone can appreciate the values and message of “Godspell.”
“They come from the Bible, but they’re universal values of living,” he said. “The audience will always feel like they’re a part of what’s going on.”
Mayhew said “Godspell” is predominantly about the call to community, a message with specific importance for audiences in the Los Angeles area.
“Our diverse cast reflects the cross-range of people in Los Angeles who are being called to community, and it’s so applicable to us here and now,” Mayhew said.
She added that because theatre came out of the church, it is the perfect community setting to experience a live performance.
“The Greeks used theatre as part of their religious festivals, and the early Christian church produced passion plays,” Mayhew said. “Drama in the church has a very long history and that’s especially evident with this show.
“Whatever brings people to our show, I hope that people hear these familiar church stories anew,” she said. “I hope they remind them that our journeys matter and that there is always hope.”
“Godspell” will run Friday through Sunday at Malibu Presbyterian Church (3324 Malibu Canyon Road). Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The suggested entrance donation is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at the door.
11-04-2004
