Stettler’s Performing Arts Centre came alive with the sound of ’70s music this past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 1-3, as the Barnside Community Theatre brought the production of Godspell to Stettler.
The production, which tells a ’70s adaptation of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, starts with John the Baptist singing to the crowd and later baptising a Superman-t-shirt wearing Jesus.
Through song and routine, the small group of actors retold several parables before moving on to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, the crucifixion and the resurrection.
Coleman Miller directed the show, which drew in decent crowds each of the three days, though attendance was hampered by Canada Day celebrations and the subsequent long weekend, his wife Paige Miller said.
“The crowds haven’t been as large as we’d like, but they’ve all been enthusiastic,” she said. “They’ve all loved the show.”
Coleman Miller said the “crowd was really happy, and we had a good response.”
This is not Coleman Miller’s first time producing Godspell, as he did a “couple of years ago,” he said. The show is an easy one for a roving production because of the minimal sets and easy to create costumes and small cast.
“It started as a fun and new way to tell the story (of the Gospel of Saint Matthew),” he said. “You laugh the whole show through, then cry at the end.”
The show featured Ethan Snowden as Jesus, Jackson Miller as John the Baptist and later as Judas. Others included Stettler’s Andrea Benoit, Alexandra Brigley, Holly Chappell, Monica Littleton, Hudson Miller and Travis Schulte. Musical direction was by Robin King.
Several of the performers are currently in or alumnus of the Gracenotes Choir or Tiny Tenors, and began vocal training in Stettler.
The show started its run in Stettler, and now will be performed in Camrose on July 8-10, Bashaw on July 15 and 17, Lacombe on July 22-23 and Drumheller on July 29-31. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m. and Sunday shows at 2 p.m.
“(The PAC) was the most theatre-like venue we will be performing in,” Coleman Miller said. “The others are churches.”