So, Judas is sort of undefined for a good part of the show until "one of you will betray me tonight" -- the point when the happy happy show gets dark. OK, but if it's staged right, JtB should be doing a silent JCS:Judas for 45 minutes by that point, with spectacular acting letting the audience know that he's just not into the whole happy nonsense going on around him. Enjoy the vaudeville and the puppets and the tap dancing, but what's up with the sourpuss in the corner? Oh! Right. One of you will betray me - now it makes sense (under a dramatic change in lighting and a sudden shift to a flat key). THAT is how it should be. Where's the new not-JtB-Judas during this lead-up if you split the role?
Remember, the Judas/JtB has sent chills down this audience's spines with "Prepare Ye," shattering the chaos of "Babel," an hour before. When he takes the role of Judas, he commands attention and is the lead role -- he IS the lead role in Godspell -- so how does he (or she) do this if you split the character?
Full disclosure: I'd give my right arm to collaborate in a production of either Godspell or JCS (or Tommy, but that's another topic) with you. In a heartbeat. But I won't make it easy!
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So, Judas is sort of undefined for a good part of the show until "one of you will betray me tonight" -- the point when the happy happy show gets dark. OK, but if it's staged right, JtB should be doing a silent JCS:Judas for 45 minutes by that point, with spectacular acting letting the audience know that he's just not into the whole happy nonsense going on around him. Enjoy the vaudeville and the puppets and the tap dancing, but what's up with the sourpuss in the corner? Oh! Right. One of you will betray me - now it makes sense (under a dramatic change in lighting and a sudden shift to a flat key). THAT is how it should be. Where's the new not-JtB-Judas during this lead-up if you split the role?
Remember, the Judas/JtB has sent chills down this audience's spines with "Prepare Ye," shattering the chaos of "Babel," an hour before. When he takes the role of Judas, he commands attention and is the lead role -- he IS the lead role in Godspell -- so how does he (or she) do this if you split the character?
Full disclosure: I'd give my right arm to collaborate in a production of either Godspell or JCS (or Tommy, but that's another topic) with you. In a heartbeat. But I won't make it easy!