It is rare that two distinct theatre groups in our region present two equally interesting productions touching on the topic of religion.
Opening this weekend is GVSU’s production of
Godspell (Feb. 5 - 6 & 12 -14) and Actor’s Theater of Grand Rapids’s midwest premiere of
Grace (Jan. 28 -30 & Feb. 4 - 6).
Godspell, the musical that brought us the pop music hit "Day by Day," is a 1970s look at the life of Christ told though a contemporary lens. It is pure post-sixties counterculture gold touching on themes that still resonate centuries later after the original story was penned.
Stephen Schwartz, the lyricist of
Godspell, is no stranger to penning hits, as he has served up over the years some of our biggest musical events still to this day with
Pippin and
Wicked, to name a few.
Godspell is a snappy retelling of the parables, mostly from the gospel of Matthew and a few from the book of Luke. These parables are shared by a set of outcasts and deal with ancient stories but are set to a snappy and moving modern score. If you have not seen this musical, do yourself a favor and get to Allendale to see this rare treat by one of the area’s most aggressive theatrical programs around.
In contrast is the Midwest debut of
Grace. This theatrical piece, starring the always impressive Jean Bailey, is a look at a contemporary family struggling as best they can with the diversity of religious beliefs, or non-belief, that makes up much of America today.
In this play, Grace Friedman - a professor and outspoken atheist - finds herself taking part in a “God Helmet” experiment, which attempts to use science to disprove there is a ‘God.’
Grace’s son does not share her non-belief views, as we quickly learn, because he’s studying to become a priest. Adding fuel to the religious fire is Grace’s Jewish husband, who supports his son’s decision.
As the family struggles with belief and non-belief, their incompatible ideologies begin to rise to the surface, producing one of the most thrilling and thoughtful looks at modern religion.
While one musical is rooted in the culture of the post-hippie-Jesus 1960s counterculture, and the other play rooted in a landscape more like what we experience today within our own families, Godspell and Grace arrive on time something like a phenomenon.
See both, you’ll thank me later. Lord willing…or not.
Admission:
Godspell: $12 - $14, with GVSU student tickets $6.
Grace: $22 - $2, with student rush tickets $10 with a valid Student ID and are sold only one hour prior to curtain.