Sometimes talent is like a lamp that should not be hidden under a basket but placed on a lampstand to spread light so everyone can see.
The University of Tennessee at Martin’s Vanguard Theatre assembled students and faculty from across different majors and departments for its production of “Godspell,” which ran from Thursday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 8 in the Harriet Fulton Theatre in the Fine Arts Building.
“Godspell” is a groovy and energetic reimagining of the story of Jesus from the Gospels. Its script was written by John Michael
Tebelak, and its music and lyrics were arranged by Stephen Schwartz.
Director and theatre professor Melanie Hollis selected this show to help bring departments together for a story everyone would enjoy.
“[We were] looking for a small-cast show that would allow kids opportunities to dance and sing, and to bring in some music kids to play in the pit and somebody to choreograph,” said Hollis. “It just kind of lets everybody show their talents in this particular show.”
Ellyn Beebe, a senior environmental and ecological biology major from Jackson, Tennessee, worked hard as both the choreography director and a cast member in the ensemble of disciples.
“It’s been fantastic getting to work with this cast,” said Beebe. “We’re not just a cast anymore; we are a family. We have spent months working on this together: blood, sweat, tears and everything to get this show performance-ready so that we can show this story to the world.”
The musical consisted of two acts, both filled with a variety of songs and reenactments of the parables spoken by Jesus in the Bible. Whether it was retelling the story of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son or the Rich Man and Lazarus, the choreography shone through to bring these parables to life in amusing ways.
“The inspiration behind most of the choreography for this musical was for us to be able to tell the story of the Gospels through movement, also adding some fun flair in there and some more modern stuff so people could relate better,” Beebe said.
One particular dance number that stood out was “Bless the Lord”, where each of the dancers would lift objects and carry them to different parts of the stage to stand on them.
Another stellar detail in the musical was the vibrantly colorful stage constructed by Paul Pharris, an assistant professor in the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts. The rainbow colors greatly complemented the exuberant tone that was present for most of the story. It also included a space behind the stage for musicians from the Department of Music to play the music accompaniment by bass, guitar, piano and drums. A theatrical haze was also present throughout the musical, drifting around on stage and engulfing the stage as Jesus took his final breath.
Bryant Steele, a junior mass media and strategic communication major from Bartlett, Tennessee, portrayed Jesus with warmth appropriate for the role of the forgiving savior. Steele was honored to play such a core religious figure for the production.
“It’s boundary-breaking. This is actually the first play I’ve actually done. It was very surprising to not only get the lead but to also portray Jesus Christ, who is a very important figure in my life as well, being a Christian,” said Steele.
One noteworthy detail was the contrasting personalities between Jesus and the disciple Judas Iscariot. Judas was played by Marshall Goodall, a freshman secondary mathematical education major from Lexington, Kentucky. While Jesus called out his disciples for their wrongdoings in kind and loving ways, Judas acted more judgmental and projected his personal beliefs onto them.
This all culminated in Judas’s historic betrayal of Jesus, as senior music major Madison Butner and Department of Music lecturer Micah Barnes sang the somber “On the Willows.”
For the finale, Jesus was hung on the cross surrounded by his devastated disciples, shouting, “Oh God, I’m dying!” as the lighting turned a shade of blood red. Afterwards, the colors immediately lightened as the disciples sang praises for a better future following their teacher’s commands, shouting phrases like “Long live God” and “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!”
Goodall appreciated getting an important role in his first production and was thankful for his experience with the rest of the cast.
“When I was in high school, I really wanted to continue doing musicals and singing,” said Goodall. “I wasn’t initially set on auditioning, but some of my friends were going to do it and kind of pushed me to do it. And I’m super happy that I did. I’m super happy that they did a musical and that I got to be a part of it. I’ve made so many friends in this cast and so many connections.”
“Godspell” also marks Melanie Hollis’ final production as director of the Vanguard Theatre.
“It’s time to go and I’ll be sad. However, a lot of the kids that I’ve worked with over the past three or four years are all graduating when I leave. So, we’re going together,” Hollis said.
The Vanguard Theatre is currently planning to perform “Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson” under the direction of Professor Gregory Carlisle during the spring 2027 semester.
