Godspell... your views

[legoalex2000]

our school (Rolling Meadows HS) is doing the the show godspell

im in the Pit band for it,  since there is no Orchestra.
anyway..

there has been controversy about this at school, and some of our best actors/actresses are not performing because the play uses "god" "jesus" and a bunch of other religious words. now I've been trying to tell people to leave out the religious aspect of this show and look at it from the show prespective. since I'm also in the construction crew, I know how much hard work we are putting into this. and I would hate to see people snub their nose at this performance because of some religious terms.

just because your not christian (amongst others) doesn't mean you can't see your friends do their best on stage.

ok, so what are your views on this, the show we are doing, the controversy, all that...?

[eno]

Tis a great musical ......... but aren't you glad you're NOT doing Jesus Christ Superstar  ::)

[beaky]

It's cool to see kids taking a stand on something, but that reaction seems a little extreme to me. As you say, it's just a show. Just happens to be based on stuff from the New Testament. Tell us- are the protestors Chrisitans who feel it's blasphemous, non-Christians who think it's unfair that their faith isn't mentioned, or what?? If it's kids who feel it's some attempt to prosletize, they should lighten up, IMHO. I never felt that show was intended as such. It's not like they're putting on a Passion Play or something like that!

[Clipper]

I think your colleagues have to pick their battles a little more wisely. If actors or musicians had historically boycotted performing arts based on the materials religious implications, we would have been deprived of some of the most beautiful and impressionable performances of our lifetimes. What your friends are doing is a form of censorship. The play should be performed and appreciated as a work of art, not a specific religious message. I'm sure the audience would be mature enough to interpret

[beefhole]

I'm a lighting/direction guy myself (for the past four years), and have seen this before, for an 8th grade play of all things.  The overreactions are soooo

[legoalex2000]

thank you for your opinions, cause i believe them all. I'll have to scan a picture of our stage, it's been painted, and looks awesome.

[beaky]

You never told us on what specific grounds the protest was being made... I'm very curious.

[legoalex2000]

the fact that we are doing a religious play, and the schhol have some separation between Church and State. This means if we have to do a play or anything for one religion, others are complaing we should do the same for others. It's getting out of hand, how many people telling us to stop.

It all comes down to , if you do it for one, you gotta do it for all...

[beaky]

I'm all in favor of separation of Church & State, but I just don't see Godspell as being "for Christians". That's sort of like saying Fiddler On the Roof is "for Jews". I know it's specifically about the life of Jesus, but like I said, it's not a Passion Play or whatever. Sounds like typical student melodramatics masquerading as progressive political thought. That's my view.
BTW, break a leg!!
I played drums in the pit a couple of times in school- once for Dames at Sea (never seen so much music written for woodblock!) and once for The  Rocky Horror Picture Show...

[Clipper]

I'm all in favor of separation of Church & State, but I just don't see Godspell as being "for Christians". That's sort of like saying Fiddler On the Roof is "for Jews". I know it's specifically about the life of Jesus, but like I said, it's not a Passion Play or whatever. Sounds like typical student melodramatics masquerading as progressive political thought. That's my view.

Rotty, well put, my sentiments exactly...

[legoalex2000]

well, we did Dary of anne frank last year.

[beaky]

well, we did Dary of anne frank last year.

AHA!!! Pandering to the Jews, eh? What about equal time for the Hindus and Zorastrians? And the Scientologists- when do they get their show?
Ain't it wonderful how religion brings people together?

[legoalex2000]

THis is it. godspell is this week. we've ben getting a lot of local attention, and the threats, yes threats have died down. it all comes down to who will be the idiot during the show...

I would be and wouldn't be suprised if there was some form of protest during one of the shows. just becuase it's religious.

[legoalex2000]

4 MORE DAYS THEN I CAN SHAVE MY HEAD!!!!

I'll bring in before/after pictures.

[legoalex2000]

sigh godspell is over, BUT I SHAVED MY HEAD!!!!!

anyway. the play had rave review, and i tell you people once and for all

TURN OFF YOUR DAMN CELL PHONES!!!!
if your that important that you need your phone on during the show, you DONT need to be there.

no one had any bad things to say when it came to show week.

but no newspaper recognition... even though the Daily Herald reporter came down to take pictures.