Community theater brings an intimacy to productions not found in touring shows, but the cast of Footlights Repertory’s Company is kicking it up a notch with its in-the-round production of “Godspell.”
Under the direction of Neil Jeronimo and Trisha Rodrigues, the revival version of “Godspell,” will be on stage at Joseph Case High School Thursday, Jan. 10, through Sunday, Jan. 13.
The 2011 revival, said Jeronimo, is a more pop/rock version of the musical that first started off Broadway in 1971. The cast of 26 is embracing the pop/rock revival version of the musical about Jesus and his disciples, he said. “It’s more tailored to their voices and how they like to be in full voice and sing that rock-and-roll-style rather than the traditional version,” added Jeronimo, who is also director of theater at Case.
A Case alum, Jeronimo played Jesus in the revival version as a theater major at Rhode Island College. Now he’s directing 22 members of the “Godspell” cast who are either Case students or recent grads. Three other cast members are from Somerset and one is from Dartmouth.
Staging it in the round with limited seating, the audience will be seated on stage requiring the cast to think about the production from every angle. “I always want to throw something at them that’s different — that they’ve never experienced,” said Jeronimo. “They’re so used to the first row being 40 feet away from them, now the front row is a foot away from them so it gives them a different experience.”
Case high school junior Matt Macy and Luke Sylvester are playing the key roles of Jesus (Macy) and Judas (Sylvester). “They’ve been involved in theater since they were freshmen, or even longer, and they both want to pursue theater or performing arts in college either as a major or elective,” said Jeronimo.
In his role as Jesus’ best friend Judas, Sylvester said the character “Turns to the dark side…. He sells Jesus out for money and pleasure, which ends up getting Jesus killed.”
Taking on his first “evil” role, Sylvester said that type of character is new to him, but it’s also fun portraying a character who transitions throughout the production. In addition to singing in every number, he also shares a song with Macy, “All for the Best,” and he has a solo at the end, “On the Willows.”
As for the additional challenge of staging in the round, Sylvester said, “It’s a good adrenaline rush. A little bit of fear makes me do better.”
His counterpart, Macy, said he also likes the intimacy of having an audience around him. “It’s very rewarding to play this role in the show, I’m very proud of it and I’m very proud of the show,” he said, adding the in-the-round aspect makes it more challenging and interesting.
Macy, who started with Footlights when he was in eighth grade, said his favorite numbers in this production are “Save the People,” “Beautiful City,” and “All for the Best.”
Jeronimo has directed 13 shows with Footlights since he started with the theater company in 2013. His sister, Kasey Jeronimo is the music director for the production and Barry Pereira is the choreographer.
Another Case alum, Pereira is taking his first stab at choreographing a show in the round. “It’s been a lot of trial and error, teaching the choreography and how to face it so everyone can see it,” he said. “It’s cool. It feels like you’re in it.”
As a musical director Kasey Jeronimo, said she likes to divide songs into three-, four- and sometimes five-part harmonies, but said the cast is doing exceeding well with the difficult songs. “They’re just very smart individuals,” she added.
She loves the ballad, “By My Side,” featuring the trio of singers Steph Baxter, Rylan Costa and Rachael Ochoa. “Their three voices blend perfectly. I get teary-eyed every time I hear it,” said Kasey Jeronimo.
Footlights Rep’s “Godspell” will be staged at Joseph Case High School, 70 School St., Swansea. Tickets cost is $20; $18 for seniors. Show dates and times are as follows: Thursday, Jan. 10, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m. (sold out); Saturday, Jan. 12, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. Reserve tickets at FootlightsRep@gmail.com.