Norwalk Residents Shine in Godspell at Westport Community Theatre

The Westport Community Theatre is producing Godspell, the musical, with the help of Norwalk residents Rosalind Cormier, Norris Wakefield, Bill Warncke, and Caitlin Roberts . The WCT production runs on weekends from Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 26

Conceived and originally directed by John Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time. Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell boasts a string of well-loved songs. Several cast albums have been released over the years and one of its songs, "Day by Day" from the original cast album, reached #13 on the Billboard singles chart in 1972. As the cast performs "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "Learn Your Lessons Well," "All For The Best”,"Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side," the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life. The Wall Street Journal described Godspell as “A family-friendly show that deserves to run forever!”

Norris Wakefield appeared last year in They're Playing Our Song with WCT and is returning as Jesus in Godspell. He was cast in the Theater Artist's Workshop production of A Country Carol in Norwalk, and the Darien Art Center's production of The Nerd. In his most recent role, he was Princess Grace, in Curtain Call’s production of The Hostage.

Bill Warncke is making his second appearance on the WTC stage as Judas; he was previously part of the East/West Play Fest during the summer of 2014 and most recently appeared in Fiddler on the Roof at the Downtown Cabaret Theater in Bridgeport. Warncke has also had roles in The Full Monty with Curtain Call and Assassins at the Bijou.

Rosalind Cormier, a pediatric speech and language pathologist at Greenwich Hospital and mother of three, recently performed in a cabaret at Don't Tell Mama's and was last seen in Xanadu at the Carriage House. She has been in numerous musical reviews and cabarets with the Connecticut Playmakers.

Caitlin Roberts is choreographer for Godspell and is a dance educator from Norwalk. Her performance credits include dancing and acting in music videos, flash mobs, film and television. She has also performed in productions of 42nd Street, Brigadoon, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Spamalot, Sweet Charity, Seussical The Musical, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Roberts has recently choreographed The Wizard Of Oz, Catch Me If You Can, Fame The Musical, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, Oliver!, The Pajama Game, Singin’ In The Rain and The Drowsy Chaperone.

The Westport cast also includes: Juan Ayala, Emily Beers, Jessica Braun, Caitlin Brown, Tyler Campbell, Betzabeth Castro, Dena Lagonigro, Katherine Logan, and Rob Pawlikowski. Performances are from June 3 through June 26, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, with Thursday performances on June 9 and June 16 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $28, $26 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at westportcommunitytheatre.com or by calling (203) 226-1983. The Westport Community Theatre is located at the Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue.

Pictured front row left to right: Betzabeth Castro, Caitlin Brown, Jessica Braun, Norris Wakefield (Jesus), Rosalind Cormier, Tyler Campbell, Katherine Logan,
back row left to right: Dena Lagonigro, Bill Warncke (Judas), Rob Pawlikowski, and Emily Beers.