The Crookston High School Drama Club presents the musical “Godspell” directed by Beth Carlson in the Crookston High School Auditorium on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 8-10 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available from the cast members or at the door for $8 for adults and $5 for students. The musical is a retelling of the Gospel of Matthew set in a modern-day city, where young men and women take up the mantles of Jesus’s disciples. The musical is full of fun songs and tear-jerking moments, with stories full of funny jokes and deep-thinking lessons.
The Drama Club has performed “Godspell” for the High School before in recent years, yet had to shut it down due to COVID-19 two years ago, but Director Beth Carlson is feeling quite confident to perform it again better than before now with a live audience and with many of the students in that performance returning for this one as well. “We call this Godspell 2.0, as 1.0 happened two years ago, and several of the same students were in that original cast.” Carlson explained, “Though we lost several outstanding students too, so I always have mixed feelings that it’s going to be a different show and it’s not going to be the same. But every show with a different cast is a new experience for me, and I think this one has come together so beautifully, and I’m so excited for the audience to see it.” Due to COVID restrictions two years ago, the Drama Club was only able to perform the first act, but now with restrictions lifted, the students are excited to perform the musical in full. “We did this one two years ago, but due to COVID, we could only perform the first half, and we never got to do a show for the public, but I’m glad we’re doing it again.” Explained Senior Logan Melvie, who plays the role of Lamar, “I’m playing the same role as I did last time, and I think I really have him down. It’s a really enjoyable show for any age; it’s got everything.”
The Drama Club seniors were excited to perform the musical again for the second time in two years, yet sad for it to be their last performance at the High School. Senior Jazmine Doyea, who plays the role of Sonia, expressed her sadness in her final performance with the Drama Club but also expressed how theater has impacted her life, “I’m definitely going to miss being here, but I plan to continue community theater, and it’s definitely not going to be the last play I ever do.” Doyea explained, “My favorite part of theater is seeing others develop into their characters and how it makes them more confident in themselves, and overall improves the quality of how we act around school. It makes us happier, more connected, and gave me friends because I transferred schools quite often, so every time I joined a play, that was how I made friends, and they’re the friends I get to keep.” Senior George French, who plays the lead role of Jesus, is excited to play his first leading role with the High School and see the musical come together after a month and a half. “It’s a great musical, there’s a lot of emotions put into it, and I think the audience will have a great time watching it. And they should keep an eye out for Act II as you never know what happens towards the end of a play,” French explained. Director Carlson expressed her feelings on how hard it is every year to say goodbye to students she has made so many memories with, but on how she always feels they are prepared to go to the next stage of their lives. “Every year, this happens to me, and every year I think, “I’m losing this batch,” Carlson explained, “I have been going through this for so long that I keep track of kids based on when they’re last show was when they come back to visit. But it’s always time for them to move on, and like some of them, like Georgie, have been with me in my musicals since 6th or 7th grade with me, it’s hard to see them go as you’ve seen them reach that certain point and you’ve seen their growth and remember where they started. It’s hard, but it’s time for them to move on to the next step soon.”
The Drama Club will perform the musical for the Senior Citizens that partake in the CHS Leo Club’s Senior Brunch on Friday, April 8, at 9:30 a.m. They will then perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 8-10, in the Crookston High School Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
The Godspell musical cast and crew include:
Georgie French as Jesus
Ethan Erdman as John the Baptist/Judas
Zac Plante as Jeffrey
Logan Melvie as Lamar
Evan(May) Cuno as Herb
Samantha Rezac as Robin
Ella Lanctot as Peggy
Zara Baig as Joanne
Jazmine Doyea as Sonia
Ella Kiel as Gilmer
Ensemble members:
Jaden Newquist & Katelyn Christian
Sound and Lights Crew:
Halle Bruggeman, Emily Shea, Autumn Rowan, and Makya Moore
Set Builder: Pat Seidel
Music accompanist: Mary Ann Knotek
Director: Beth Carlson
Assistant Director/Costumer: Phyllis Hagen
Pictures of The Godspell dress rehearsal can be found below:
