Several Biblical stories will be brought to life through a series of comedic skits and an overarching narrative at Bethlehem Academy this weekend.
High schoolers and middle schoolers are taking the stage in Bethlehem Academy’s spring musical, “Godspell, Jr.” The musical focuses on the parables of the Bible and follows the metamorphosis of Judas, who betrayed Jesus.
“I actually go from being the most supportive of Jesus to the least supportive of Jesus in a matter of seconds,” junior Monica Wilder said. “So, I start out as John the Baptist; I baptize everyone. And then I’m like ‘Peace!’ and I turn into Judas. He’s this super sassy character, really annoyed at everyone. He’s the only one who realizes they’re in a musical.”
Throughout the show, Jesus tells several of his parables, including of the widow and the unjust judge, and of the prodigal son. Many of the actors play different characters in each parable. Wilder and sophomore Aubrey Howard mostly stick to one role.
Wilder said each actor has at least one major role in a parable.
“My favorite is the parable of the two sons,” she said. “I’m the older son.”
The show is directed by Will McIntyre, who is also performing arts and education director for the Paradise Center for the Arts. He said he picked the show.
“I have loved this musical for years, and I think it is a great show for these energetic kids,” he said. “The music is amazing. It is a great show for an ensemble cast and the themes within the story are relatable to the human experience. It is an innovative representation of the Gospel of Matthew, but it is so much more than that.”
Other than leaving with the music stuck in their heads, McIntyre hopes to see audiences leave having learned a lesson.
“This is a story about Jesus, but it is so much more than that,” he said. “It is about how we treat one another as humans, it’s about the importance of community and it’s about how we can come together to make the world a better place. I cannot wait for audiences to see these kids bring this story to life and see audiences leave with more love in their hearts, humming the tunes.”
Due to the size of the school, the middle-school and high-school students perform together in the same productions.
Eighth grader Isabella Quittem said she most enjoys the time before rehearsal gets underway. “It’s just a bunch of theater kids in one room,” she said.
The merged productions give experienced actors, like Wilder, the opportunity to be an example for the younger actors, like Quittem.
“I love the stage,” Wilder said. “I think my first production was in second or third grade at the Paradise Community Theatre. I started there and I loved it ever since.”
She said acting with adults at the Paradise was how she found her confidence as an actor, which she hopes to help the others unlock as well.
“I guess now my role is helping these kids really realize their acting potential and helping them grow into who they are going to be,” she said.
McIntyre said the older students have stepped up to be role models.
“They are great leaders for the many middle schoolers who are part of this production,” he said. “It can be difficult trying to get middle and high schoolers to work together, but I have been so impressed with how well they have collaborated. They had fostered a very welcoming environment for the younger students, and it is great to know that the future of BA theater is bright with these underclassmen.”
He said the experience has helped students come out of their shell.
“As a director, it is my responsibility to make them feel comfortable in the rehearsal space, and I think we have succeeded in making a space where creativity can be born and built,” he said. “It is always so awesome seeing kids come out of their shells during a rehearsal process, and I am so amazed by their kindness, in addition to their talent.”
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