'70s Musical 'Godspell' Resurrected By Johnston Church This Weekend

The Civic Center in Des Moines isn't the only venue to see a Broadway musical in central Iowa.

The River of Life Theater debuts Godspell, a Broadway musical, this weekend.

The River of Life Theater has brought together a number of metro churches in Johnston, Urbandale and West Des Moines to put on the production.

"It's basically the story and parable of Jesus right out of the gospel brought to life in a fun, creative and humorous form," said Craig Ferguson, director and pastor at River of Life in Johnston. "The team we brought together represents 10 different churches in the area."

The musical, which will show at three locations beginning tonight, started off-Broadway in 1971 and made its way to the Great White Way in 1976.

"It's been around for 30 years," Ferguson said. "'Day by Day' is a popular song from the musical that people would know."

The production features a children's choir, Ferguson said.

"They are a part of the audience but they become an interactive part of the show," he said. "There is a very powerful piece. They kind of end the production in a very, very powerful way."

The River of Life Theater began after Ferguson had conversation with others in the community.

"Several people there in the area wanted to provide an opportunity, and our church mission statement is to be Christ in the community," he said. "So we thought of creative ways to serve the community and this was a way to connect faith into the community."

While is just beginning in Johnston, meeting on Saturdays at Beaver Creek Elementary, Ferguson said the musical is really a collective effort.

"Our focus is not on our church as much as it is focused on the community," he said. "It does carry our name, but the priority is to bring the church to the people, to find ways to be a part of the community."

Ferguson said if the interest is there, he'd like to continue the endeavor.

"There's already been a lot of talk and hopefulness to continue to offer the opportunity in the future, whether that's once a year or quarterly," he said of future productions.

For now, Ferguson and the cast and crew are preparing for the curtains to rise.

"We're really excited to be doing it," he said. "Johnston has already shown enthusiasm for the musical at the high school. This is an opportunity for the whole community to be involved in the production."

Godspell debuts at 7 p.m. Friday at New Hope United Methodist Church in Des Moines. On Saturday, the musical kicks off at 7 p.m. at in Urbandale. The shows on Friday and Saturday are sold out online.

Sunday's matinee performance is at 3 p.m. at .
Tickets for the musical are $11 and available on the River of Life Theater website.