Every year, as part of homecoming and graduation weekend at Rosthern Junior College, the students present a large-scale musical. This year they performed Godspell by John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz.
Godspell has been around since the late 1960s and is based on the story of Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew. Through parables and lessons, Jesus teaches his disciples about the nature of the Kingdom of God—a kingdom based on love, grace, and community.
Standing ovations from two large audiences indicated that the performers successfully communicated the coming of “the way of the Lord.”
RJC decided to set the show in a playground, complete with a fully functional swing-set, where the child-like innocence and joy of the disciples could emphasise the purity of Jesus’ lessons. Many audience members expressed an appreciation for the emotional impact and high level of performance.
Kaitlyn Janzen (centre) leads the chorus in “O Bless The Lord.” The disciples and chorus used their own names for their characters in RJC’s production. (Photo by Rosthern Junior College)
John the Baptist (Nathan Bartel) “baptises” Benjamin Gerwing in the opening sequence, “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord.” (Photo by Rosthern Junior College)
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