Prepare Ye the Way of la Meme Chose

[ceebeegee]

God, I am SO SICK of productions of Godspell with the same old tired trope of male Jesus and Judas. The show is about the Gospel of St. Matthew with mixed genders apostles dressed as clowns, invoking every current pop reference out there--you'd think SOMEONE besides me would've thought of actually casting a woman as something other than adoring groupie. BORING.

Comments

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

I've always wanted to cast Jesus as a big woman, perhaps a black woman. Think Aretha Franklin.

The thing is, you can also split the Judas/JtB role--they don't have to be played by the same person. I figure sometime before "All for the Best" is when that track becomes Judas, because of the mordant nature of that song. So maybe have a guy sing "Prepare Ye..." and a girl take over the track at some point. I also can think of women who can approximate that lyric tenor sound pretty convincingly.

[darksheik.livejournal.com]

The DeBaun production had a separate Judas/JtB. We also had double the cast of a normal Godspell, which made for an extremely full sound...

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I meant to see it at DeBaun and never did.

I also think if you have a male/female split on Jesus/Judas (either way), it adds something.

[minstrel70.livejournal.com]

I think that transformation would be difficult to work into Godspell, off-script. Maybe it could be done. It's an interesting point of transition already, as it's written. In JCS, it's not an issue, because the show starts with a disillusioned Judas. But how else would you work the transition from closest disciple to antagonist, in Godspell? How would you establish Judas without further altering the script? It works as is precisely because it's a dual role.

I agree, an Aretha Franklin could handle Jesus, and well. Another voice that comes somewhat randomly to mind (for either role) is Grace Slick. Yes, you heard me. I, for one, think that would rock.

Hey, if you've got a vision, get a cast and a space and a modest budget and call me. You've got a technical director for either show in a heartbeat!

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

Well, there's not a ton of narrative to the script as it is--we sort of start off with a natural beginning with "Babel" and "Prepare Ye" and "God Save the People" then it's basically a vaudeville format until "One of you will betray me tonight.." in the second act. I agree that the duality of John and Judas is a powerful one and adds dramatically to the piece, I'm just saying if you want to spread the wealth a bit, you can. I mean, do you even need a transition? Judas is there from the beginning but doesn't really emerge as antagonist until the beatitudes sequence which leads into "All for the Best."

If I decide to produce this myself (what is it with me and wanting to do eminent Broadway shows???), I will definitely call you! I think you and I would be a kickass team.

[minstrel70.livejournal.com]

Settled: We must work together one day!

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!

[ceebeegee.livejournal.com]

You know, DeBaun is doing Tommy this winter...

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.

See, I see Judas as emerging (well, not overtly) earlier, during "All for the Best"--there's some crankiness going on there. His lyrics are much more cynical than Jesus's--"Someone's got to be oppressed!"

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?

Did you mean to say he is the lead role in JCS? Jesus is very much the lead role in Godspell. Judas gets only 1-2 songs.

I was thinking of giving "On the Willows" to Judas, instead of the band singing it. (Well, really *I* should be singing it, 'cause I love that song, but that's for the recording :) That should help balance the taking away of JtB, should I decide to go in that direction. And maybe have some sort of silent redemptive imagery at the end for Judas (or have him sing the reprise of "Prepare Ye...")--I always felt bad that he was so reviled by history. He was fulfilling the scriptures after all, and is what he did that much worse than denying Christ three times as Peter did? I like to think Judas repented.