Ozzy Osborne in a Christian parable is like the Brady Bunch at a Tool concert: a train wreck waiting to happen.
But in English senior Brooke Segiun’s adaptation of Steven Schwartz’s musical “Godspell,” the all-student cast uses the “Prince of Darkness” and his spawn to modernize the “Prodigal Son” parable.
Director and cast faced the challenge of updating the “Godspell” 33-year-old script while preserving the play’s message. The show first opened off-Broadway in 1971. It told the story of Jesus’ final days according to St. Matthew. The original version is filled with “Laugh-In” type gags and flitting flower children.
“The script is outdated, so we did a lot of improv and talked a lot about what the actors wanted to do with their characters,” said Laura Wilkinson, assistant director and producer. “Schwartz wanted people to change to the play so that the audience could get as much out of it as possible,” said Wilkinson, a communications disorders freshman.
In an effort to make the play more relatable, the actors used their actual names for the characters with the exception of Jesus and Judas.
“In trying to modernize the play the actors were encouraged to make the characters an extended version of themselves,” said Michael Indest, a theatre sophomore, who plays Jesus.
In addition to updating the supporting cast, the task of relating Jesus and Judas to a 2003 college audience is equally demanding.
“I took a military theme to Judas, in terms of relating it to war,” said Craig Strasen, theatre sophomore, who plays the disciple. “Here is a boy whose fear and intensity took on anger. He was backed into a corner, so he fought.”
The imminent threat of war with Iraq added to the importance of relaying the message of community, Indest said.
“Godspell” carries a theme of brotherhood and how well people can stick together under a cause. In the spirit of that message, Segiun wanted to utilize everyone’s input.
“One of [Segiun’s] goals was to make this an ensemble process,” said Indest. “Having all students work on the play made the production more open-minded.”
Segiun is also an actor in the play. Her involvement on stage and off allowed her to relate more to the cast and further the collaborative aspect of the production, said Indest.
Although “Godspell” is based on Christian texts, Wilkinson believes the overlying theme of community transcends religion.
“It’s about building a community, and non-Christians can take the play as just a story,” Wilkinson said.
The LSU Theatre production of “Godspell” opens Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. in Studio 106 of the Dramatic Arts Building. A $5 donation is suggested.