Liberty Showcase Theatre Performs Godspell

Liberty Showcase Theatre presents its production of Godspell this month, 20 years after the program last performed the hit Broadway show.

Directed by Ted McCadden and Jay Althouse, the musical will be placed in a modern setting, illustrating the contemporary relevance of the Biblical parables.

“Godspell has always been one of my favorite shows to see, to work on, and it just seems a really natural choice for the group this year,” said McCadden, president of the board of directors for Liberty Showcase Theatre.

The notably young cast features several members who will be performing with Liberty Showcase Theatre for the first time, including Paul Kennedy, who will be playing the lead role of Jesus.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity. Coming out for it, I didn’t imagine that I’d get the lead,” he said.

Godspell, a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak, opened in 1971, and consists of a series of parables told in the Gospel according to Matthew set to modern music.

The Liberty Showcase Theatre’s interpretation of Godspell will feature a college classroom setting, with the characters representing different college stereotypes. During rehearsal, the cast was enthusiastic about these creative elements, as well as the music and choreography.

“The music is amazing, especially since it runs the gamut,” said cast member Liz Kanner. “We’ve got rock songs. We’ve got soulful songs. We’ve got traditional music theater songs. There’s a song in there for everybody.”

Liberty Showcase Theatre began in 1973, and aims to provide quality community theatre to the Baltimore area, while offering members the opportunity to learn the theatre arts.

Members of the program are both and excited and nervous for opening night, but mostly want to put on a fun and engaging show.

“When the curtain goes up on opening night, and seeing the magic that they have been able to put together in five short weeks, it’s going to be pretty darn amazing,” said McCadden.

Liberty Showcase Theatre’s production of Godspell runs from Friday, July 20, through Sunday, July 29, at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Admission will cost $16 for adults and $13 for seniors, students and children under 12. All performances are at .