GODSPELL at Memorial Episcopal, March 25, 26, 27 and April 1, 2

 

Bolton Hill's own Memorial Players will be performing their 10th annual musical this spring at Memorial Episcopal Church--the energetic and moving "Godspell."  Featuring a talented cast of young people and adults from the community, the show is a fun modern-day retelling of the stories from the Gospel according to Matthew.  ("Godspell" is the ancient Anglo-Saxon word meaning "good word.")  Five performances are scheduled over two weekends:

 

Friday March 25th at 7:30 pm

Saturday March 26th at 7:30 pm

Sunday March 27th at 3:00 pm

Friday April 1 at 7:30 pm

Saturday April 2 at 7:30 pm

 

Admission is free, no tickets are required, and everyone is invited, from young children to long-time theatergoers.  Memorial Players is an arts and education ministry of Memorial Episcopal Church, which is pleased to offer the performances as a gift to the community. This year promises to be particularly exciting as the show will be performed “in the round” the action taking place throughout the church.

 

This year Memorial Players has the great fortune to be directed by Jimi Kinstle, the artistic director of Baltimore’s Pumpkin Theater. He describes the musical in the following way:

“Whether one believes in God or not, our search for higher meaning in the universe and the struggle for how we fit into our community are issues that people deal with daily. Our society is ever changing and evolving. Living in a capitalistic culture where sexuality is exploited and fairness is not always in play, we search for meaning and value in an effort to determine what is "right". Simply put, Godspell is a reflection of this search for God and our place in the universe. How do we fit in? Who will we follow? What do we believe? How do we achieve salvation? In Memorial’s production of Godspell we gather, under the guise of a town hall meeting, to look at this contemporary search for God in our community.

“The role of women in society has changed greatly in the past forty years since Godspell was first produced. In light of these changes, and because the play is being produced in an Episcopal church with a female rector, and also because there have only been female rectors in the Episcopal Church for 25 years… our Jesus is a woman. The concept of a woman as a spiritual leader in an organized religion is relatively new and will be addressed in this production. We hope you can attend and watch this exciting performance unfold.”

 

Like last year for "Annie," fundraising receptions will be held on opening and closing nights for a modest price, offering participants food and beverages and access to seating in the sponsors' section for the performance.  For more information and reception reservations, see www.memorialplayers.org or email the church office@memorialepiscopal.org or 410-660-0220 X11].  The Memorial Players also welcome volunteer help and support from members of the community.