TOAD's production of 'Godspell' opens today

GARDNERVILLE, Nev.

by Sharlene Irete

sirete@recordcourier.com

The production of "Godspell" gives the 19 young actors of Theatre of Arts Discipline a chance to dress in their idea of '70s garb - tie-dyed shirts, paisley prints, gauze skirts and peasant tops, high-top tennies, fringed vests, headbands, and in fluorescent yellow and orange.

The actor playing Jesus wears a Superman shirt and sings to the company in the "Oh Bless the Lord, My Soul" production number during rehearsal on Monday.

Director Rich Garrett explained to the actors how they should react to Jesus.

"Watch him, smiling and nodding - show me with your acting," Garrett said. "Acting is most important nonverbally. Show energy in your body. You're so excited."

"Are we so excited we faint?" said one of the actors.

The Theatre of Arts Discipline's summer production is the 1970 musical "Godspell," by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. "Godspell" plays 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and July 31 and Aug. 1, and at 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 2 at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Tickets are $10 adults, $8 for students and seniors and are available at toadinc@gmail.com or (775) 219-3577.

Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, "Godspell" has been performed on and off Broadway, was released in film version in 1973, and is famous for the song, "Day By Day." The story is told through parables from the Bible sung with words from traditional hymns set to modern music.

"The students play themselves as characters in the play," said Kris Garrett, who is the stage manager of the production. "The names are their own names with the exception of Jesus, who is played by Sean Derbyshire, and Judas, played by Braeden Garrett."

Musical arrangements for "Godspell" are by Marshall Brodeur, vocal coaching is by student actor Brynn Garrett, and the dance instructor is Jessica Shull, a 17-year-old Carson High School student.

"We have the kids learn and practice the trade as much as possible, so we have students do things as much as possible," said Rich Garrett.

Garrett is the drama instructor at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, and directs Theatre of Arts Discipline community youth theater with his wife Kris Garrett. The Garretts share their 20 years' experience participating in the TOAD theater group for 5- to 18-year-old students.

"He gets to have fun during the school year and we do classes through TOAD on Saturdays and during the summer," said Kris Garrett. "We'll start classes on Saturdays in September in voice, acting, in auditions and maybe in a tech class and dance classes."

The TOAD group ends Monday's rehearsal with Derbyshire as Jesus working up his crowd of followers with his song, "Save the People." All eyes in the company look attentively and adoringly at Jesus. At the song's conclusion, the actors receive the last direction of the day from Rich Garrett.

"That was so much better when you put energy into it."

Information about Theatre of Arts Discipline at toad.vpweb.com

Theatre of Arts Discipline presents "Godspell," 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and July 31 and Aug. 1 and 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 2 at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, 701 Long Valley Road, in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 for students and seniors and are available at toadinc@gmail.com or (775) 219-3577. Information www.toad.vpweb.com