Musical Theatre Stafford - Godspell

This year it is my pleasure, on behalf of Musical Youth Theatre Stafford (affectionately known as MYTS) to welcome you to our wonderful production of

Godspell is a musical composed by Stephen Schwartz with the book by John-Michael Telebak. The show opened off-Broadway on May 17, 1971 becoming the talk of the town and where it played for five years before moving onto Broadway where it played for a further nine years. In 2011 the show was revived on Broadway, with the injection of contemporary references to pop culture and dazzling new musical arrangements.

The revival played on Broadway until June 2012 and continues to be performed by professional and amateur groups globally.

We are pleased to be performing the revival version for you tonight.

The musical show is based on a series of parables mainly from the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with an eclectic mix of music set, primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ briefly near the end of the show.

I am delighted to welcome back Director, Hannah Morris and our Musical Director, Laura Foxcroft both of whom gave us last year’s NODA youth award nominated production of High School Musical. This year we have an addition to our Production team - Choreographer Kalvin LaMey, his CV was so good we could not miss out on the chance to work with him. All the Production team have worked with our cast with enthusiasm and energy to bring you this fabulous, colourful production of Godspell.

No production is ever successful without the support of many other people tirelessly working behind the scenes to ensure we have a successful show, I would like to thank them all for their continued encouragement and support throughout this year.

Finally, to you, our audience, thank you so much for your continued support, without you we would not be able to put on such professional shows. MYTS will continue to support and develop our young people of Staffordshire. To enable us to do this we need to keep growing our membership; do you know anyone who would like to join our MYTS on stage for next year’s production of Wind in the Willows get in touch by contacting secretary@ myts.org.uk to register any interest.

In October MYTS will join with Musical Theatre Stafford (MTS) to bring Oliver to the Gatehouse stage, come along and support us - you will be begging for more. The final thing to say is sit back and Prepare Ye to be spell bound!

Craig Chesters MYTS Chairman

Craig Chesters

Sue Zurawiel

Roger Foxcroft

MYTS Chairman

President

MTS Chairman

Synopsis The show begins with some of the company emerging as the philosophers Socrates, DaVinci, Gibbon, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre and Buckminster Fuller, who debate the existence of God. The debate becomes more and more incoherent until it eventually becomes mere babble.

Interrupting the chaos, John the Baptist enters and calls the community to order and goes on to baptise the company, but when Jesus makes himself known to John and asks to be baptized, John refuses, asking instead for Jesus to baptise him.

Jesus declares the purpose of his mission on Earth is to save the people and he goes on to use a variety of parables from Matthew and Luke to explain his teachings. This sparks off a dialogue between Jesus and Judas about the gulf between the rich and the poor. Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seed and creates a mood of thanksgiving for the simple things.

The second act opens with the community being urged to change its ways and turn to God. Some of the community start to question Jesus’ authority and try to trick him by asking him whether Jews must pay taxes to Rome, but he evades them. They try again with an adulterous woman, but Jesus answers that “only the one who is faultless shall throw the first stone”. Upon her release, the woman asks to be one of Christs followers.

As they assemble for the Last Supper, Jesus tells the congregation that one of them will betray him. As they each ask if its them, ending with Judas, Jesus tells him to do quickly what he must do. Judas runs off while Jesus breaks the bread and shares the wine and tells his followers that they will dine together in the Kingdom of God. Jesus implores God that if there is another way, to lift the burden from his shoulders. He returns to find his followers asleep and wakes them to warn them that they will all betray him three times.

Judas returns to betray Jesus and has a moment of doubt, but fells ‘boxed’ in with the only pat leading to Jesus. Jesus encourages Judas to do what he has come to do, and Judas takes Jesus to be crucified. He is attacked by the community, but Jesus tells them to stop as all who live by the sword will die by it.

As Judas ties Jesus upon the cross he berates Judas for arresting him at night, before realising that it had to happen to fulfil the prophet’s writings.

With the grieving community watching as Jesus is crucified, they finally come to realise that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice out of love for his people.

GODSPELL Conceived and Originally Directed by JOHN-MICHAEL TEBELAK MUSIC AND NEW LYRICS BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ Originally Produced on the New York Stage by EDGAR LANSBURY / STUART DUNCAN / JOSEPH BERUH Godspell 2012 Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Director

Musical Director

Hannah, a Drama and English graduate from the University of Huddersfield, is delighted to be directing her third show for MYTS. She has been a keen performer since a young age appearing in local and touring productions both professional and amateur.

Alongside theatre she has also been lucky enough to film with the NSPCC, Junction 15 and the Northern Film School.

During her degree, Hannah directed and choreographed a production of Little Red Riding Hood as her final year module as well as studying theatre for children. After she graduated, she spent the Summer directing a Summer School Production of Godspell in Derby.

More locally, Hannah has performed in many Musical Theatre Stafford shows, her favourites being Rosemary in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Grace in Annie, where she was lucky enough to appear on stage with some of the girls from MYTS! She has also worked as a choreographer for Musical Theatre Stafford and Theatre 1. Recently she has provided the choreography for Fiddler on the Roof, Calamity Jane, Dogfight and I love You Because.

This is Hannah’s third year directing MYTS, having directed Legally Blonde in 2017 and High School Musical last year. It’s always a challenge working with 65 youngsters, but Hannah has really loved working with the talented MYTS on this fantastic production and wishes them the best of luck this week!

Laura studied Tuba at the Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating in 1999 with a BMus (Hons) and PGCE in Secondary Music. She has been teaching music in primary and secondary schools for the last nineteen years both as classroom and peripatetic teacher.

Laura is taking a break from teaching in schools to concentrate on developing her music shop “A Major” at Trentham Shopping Village at the moment.

Laura has been involved with Musical Theatre Stafford, on and off, for over 25 years, both on stage and in the orchestra pit as a musician. Of more recent years she has taken the role of Musical Director with both the youth and adult section for a variety of shows; Seussical, Children Of Eden, Les Misérables, Footloose, West Side Story, Legally Blonde and High School Musical with MYTS and Oliver, Hot Mikado, Annie, Witches of Eastwick, Calamity Jane, Sister Act and The Full Monty with the adults. Laura is currently working on the joint production of Oliver (15th-19th October 2019 – tickets are available now!) alongside Hannah and Kalvin. Laura is also working with Theatre1 on their double bill of Ordinary Days and Edges which will run next week in the MET from 16th-20th July 2017.

Godspell is Laura’s eighth show with MYTS, it is always a pleasure to work with such a hardworking group. Well done MYTS, have a great week.

Hannah Morris

TS, To all our MY light don’t hide your go out l, under a bushe hine there and s the re because You a orld’!

Light of the W S Love the MYT committee.

Laura Foxcroft

Choreographer Kalvin LaMey

Kalvin LaMey trained at Bodyworks Stage School, in Cambridge and Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, London. His Professional credits include: Thriller Live the Musical, London Best Dance Crew, Pineapple Dance Studios, The Brit Awards and BBC1 The Voice, as a backing vocalist for Newtion Matthews. Kalvin has also been a backing dancer for The Sugababes, Kanye West, Tinchy Stryder, Duffy, Olly Murs, The Pussy Cat Dolls and Jedward, to name a few.

Kalvin was also a contestant on one of the first prime time dance shows, BBC1 Dance X, working with industry choreographers from across the world, whilst being mentored by Strictly Come Dancing judges, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli. In 2010, Kalvin was a contestant on ITVs X Factor in boy band FYD with Simon Cowell as his mentor, where he was successful in making it through to the live shows. Kalvin performs alongside London finest session players and most exciting upcoming singers ‘Salut’ performing for corporate events, including: HSBC, BBC, Million Pound Weddings, travelling to Europe, Dubai and the USA. Kalvin has taught in schools across London and the Midlands, for almost 10 years, in a range of settings and for different projects. These include working with underprivileged children in primary schools, to improve access to the arts and projects devised to improve fitness and tackle obesity in young people. Kalvin delivered assessed units on GCSE and BTEC Dance, in secondary schools and colleges. Also, working with local dance schools and Youth theatres to improve the life chances of their young people to give them professional experiences to support their career progression. Kalvin has had the opportunity to work with WBOS Youth (West Bromwich) as part of the creative team for their production of Cats, which won numerous awards, including Best Production. Kalvin was also choreographer for the UK Amateur Premiere of Memphis The Musical in Wolverhampton, which was attended by local leading lady, Beverley Knight and received high praise from the critics. “I am looking forward to continuing my journey with the MYTS/MTS family and all that it brings!”

Musical Numbers Act I Prologue Tower of Babble – Socrates, Thomas Aquinas, Galileo, Hegel, Gibbon, Thomas Aquinas, L. Ron Hubbard, Marianne Williamson, Jean–Paul Sartre Prepare Ye John the Baptiste & Company Save the People Jesus & Company Day by Day Philippa & Company Learn Your Lessons Well – Brogan & Company Bless the Lord Sophie & Company All for the Best Jesus, Judas & Company All Good Gifts Leo & Company Light of the World Lai & Company

Act II Learn Your Lessons Well (reprise) Company Turn Back, O Man Tabby & Company Alas for You Jesus

By My Side Alex & Company We Beseech Thee Lydia & Company Beautiful City Jesus On the Willows Hannah, Madison & Eve Finale Jesus & Company

Jesus

Greg Wood Greg is currently sitting his GCSE’s at Haberdasher’s Adams Newport and will be stopping on at Sixth Form.

Greg has been involved with the society for several years, having played Tobias in Sweeney Todd, and being part of Fiddler on the Roof both with MTS and playing the UPS guy in Legally Blonde with MYTS in 2017. Greg has just taken his Grade 8 Music Theatre Exam and has sung competitively at The Chadsmoor Music Festival, as well as the Wolverhampton and Dudley Music Festivals over the last couple of years.

He really enjoys the teamwork and sense of community at MYTS, from the audition process through the rehearsal phase to the excitement of performing in front of an audience.

Leo Charlie Allen– Foetu-Foster Smith

Judas

Charlie is currently in Year 9 at Stafford Grammar School and loves Music. He has been acting since he was five and joined MYTS at the age of eight for Footloose. Charlie is enjoying playing Judas, a character who starts out as good but commits the ultimate betrayal.

Leo is 14 years old and has performed at the Gatehouse Theatre on more than ten occasions both as a musician and a performer. Godspell is Leo’s second show with MYTS, having joined last year for High School Musical. Leo’s mother was very keen for him to do this show, having played the part of Jesus in high school and she is delighted that Leo was cast as one of the disciples.

Lydia Thomson Lydia is in Year 12 and attends Walton High School, where her favourite subjects are History and Drama. Lydia has acted and sung since the age of five and joined MYTS in 2015 for Honk! Having played Paulette in Legally Blonde and the eccentric and theatrical Mrs. Darbus in High School Musical last year, she is enjoying a change of pace.

Tabitha Carr Lai Ellin

Philippa Ford Sophie Pearce

This is Tabby’s fifth show with MYTS, having joined for Honk! in 2015. Tabby has loved rehearsing for Godspell as it opened her eyes to a musical she didn’t know anything about (and now adores!).

Musical Theatre takes up a large part of Tabby’s life, but she is also trying to tackle the problem of global pollution and hopes everyone recycles their programme’s. Tabby hopes you all enjoy the show.

Philippa is 14 years old and attends St. Dominic’s in Stone.

She has been involved in performing arts since the age of 7 and has been involved in numerous productions in that time, including shows like Doctor Do Little, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph, Loserve, Our House and The Sound of Music.

Philippa has also studied for LAMDA examinations. This is her first year at MYTS and she was delighted to land a principal role in Godspell.

Lai recently graduated Year 11 at Weston Road High School and is planning to start at Stafford College in September to peruse Performing Arts. Her interests include film, writing, choreography, playing the ukulele and has a passion for film making and video editing.

Lai has been at MYTS since 2017 when she joined for Legally Blonde as a Delta Nu. Her first principal role was as Jackie Scott in last year’s production of High School Musical. Lai has loved putting this show together and can’t wait to share it with everyone. She reckons MYTS saved her life and helped her find what she was meant to do. She would like to thank everyone involved with MYTS: the committee, the production team, the chaperones and her fellow MYTS members. And especially her Mam and Simon for supporting her in everything she does.

Sophie is 17 years old and in her first year studying a B-tech Level 3 extended Diploma in Music at Birmingham Ormiston Academy. She started at MYTS for Footloose when she was 10 years old and has performed in every show since. One of Sophies favourite memories was playing Chutney Windham in Legally Blonde and getting to say the iconic line “I was in the shower.”

‘MYTS is more than just a group of friends’, says Sophie ‘we are a family and I will be sad to leave next year.’

John the Baptist

Charlie Tiernan Charlie is 12 years old and has been a keen member of MYTS since he joined for Legally Blonde in 2016. He is also part of the Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre and enjoys taking part in their summer school productions each year. His first stage appearance was a at the age of 7, when he played Dab Dab the Duck in Dr. Dolittle. Charlie recently appeared with MTS in The Full Monty where he played Nathan and has just been cast as Dodger in their next show Oliver!

Alex Lewis

Brogan Pugh

Alex has been acting and singing since the age of three and joined MYTS for High School Musical last year where she was delighted to play the role of Gabriella! Alex is very excited to be playing Peggy in Godspell, yet another character that is so completely different from herself. Aside from musical theatre.

Alex’s interests include eating and playing bingo. She loves being part of MYTS as it allows her to do something she loves (musical theatre!) and spend time with her best friends Tabby, Lainey and Eve.

Brogan is in Year 10 at Cheslyn Hay High School. Her favourite subjects are Sports and Drama, she loves playing football and plays for Wolves U16’s Girls. She is also an athlete at Wolves and Bilston Athletics Club and competes in many sports at school. At school Brogan is also a keen performer and has appeared in The Wizard of Oz and, most recently, she performed solos from Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, Matilda and Dear Evan Hansen in a Musical Medley Show “The Greatest Show”. Brogan joined MYTS in 2016 for Legally Blonde as is really looking forward to Godspell.

Socrates Aislinn Humphries

Thomas Aquinas Jack Foster

Galileo Alannah Mellors

Hegel Heidi Lee

Gibbon Isabella Keeling

L. Ron Hubbard Ella Powell

Marianne Williamson Megan Richardson

Jean Paul Sartre Holly Foster

Hannah Stephenson

Madison Lovelace

Eve Keeling

Alex Birch

Amy Bufton

Aoife Kerr

Ava Holloway

Bethany Calderbank

Caitlin Harvey

Claudia Robb

Ellie Eatough

Emily Harper

Emma Fernyhough

Elizabeth Tomkinson

Erin Holden

Evelyn Nicklin

Freya Gardner

Freya Groucott

George Brown

Harmony

Imogen Moore

Isabell Draycott

Isla McEwan

Katie Allen Smith

Erin Mae Gibbons

Phizacklea Hayes

Jamie Gardner

James Tincknell

James Tonge

Jessica Loach

Libby Wilson

Lola Foster

Lydia Brough Chesters

Megan Johnson

Milly Green

Naomi Cortes

Naomi Stephenson

Niamh Newby

Oscar Hill

Polly Farrow

Samuel Rodi

Samuel Tincknell

Scarlett Bryan

Scarlett Draycott

Tegan Humphries

Appointments Director/choreographer – Musical Director – Backstage Crew –

Hannah Morris Laura Foxcroft Craig Chesters Sam Parton Neil Norman Props – Isobel Walter Wardrobe Jennifer Marshall Set MYTS / Stone Revellers Lighting Gatehouse Theatre Sound Five Towns Theatre Chaperones – Megan McGinley, committee and MYTS parents Original Artwork & design Delineate Design & Marketing Programme Photography GCG Photography & GCG Events

The Band Bass Drums/Percussion Guitar 1 Guitar 2 Guitar 3 Piano

Jon Burr Matt Davis Ryan Webber Rich Rowley Will Wood Roger Foxcroft

Past Shows 2007 MYTS we Sing – 2008 Wizard of Oz – 2009 Narnia – 2010 Suessical the Musical 2011 Children of Eden (NODA Award for best overall Musical production

2012 Les Misérables – 2013 Footloose –

2014 Westside Story 2015 Honk!

(NODA Award for Best Youth Musical)

2016 Bugsy Malone 2017 Legally Blonde (Nominated for NODA Best Youth Musical)

2018 High School Musical (Nominated for NODA Best Youth Musical)

BOOK TICKET

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Interested in Farewell George joining MYTS? Musical Youth Theatre Stafford is the junior division of Musical Theatre Stafford (formerly Stafford Operatic Society) and was founded in March 2007.

Since its inception 12 years ago, the group has gone from strength to strength and has, in that time, had four NODA nominations for Best Junior Musical Production in the region, and has won this category twice, for Children of Eden in 2011 and Honk! in 2015.

Every year we bid farewell to members who move on for a variety of reasons. But this year we bid an especially sad farewell to our longest standing member, George Brown, who joined MYTS in 2011, making this George’s ninth production with us. In that time, we have seen George grow from a funny, cheeky little boy into a self-assured and confident young man.

It is perhaps fitting that George’s time with MYTS is bookended by Stephen Schwartz shows, starting with our NODA Award winning production Children of Eden and finishing with this year’s show, Godspell.

Open to children from the age of 8 to 18, we are dedicated to training members in the crafts and skills required for the theatre, as well as ensuring the development of each child’s self-esteem, confidence and instilling a feeling of belonging at MYTS. MYTS regularly appear on stage with the adult membership and have in the last ten years performed in Annie Get Your Gun, The King and I, Oliver, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, All Shook Up and are currently in rehearsal for Oliver which will be on at the Gatehouse Theatre this October.

We wish George all the best for the future and hope to see him in the adult society soon!

MYTS rehearse on Friday nights from 7 – 9pm, term-time only at John Wheeldon Academy. We start the year with three creative workshops, and potential new members are encouraged to attend these to get a feel for what we’re all about.

Auditions for new members are held at the end of September each year, after which, successful candidates will join the group and be part of the year’s productions and concerts.

If you are interested in joining MYTS this September, please send an email to secretary@myts.org.uk for a registration form, which should be returned by the 31st August. Our production for 2020 is Wind in the Willows.

MYTS/MTS officials President Sue Zurawiel Chairman Roger Foxcroft MYTS Chairman & MTS Vice Chairman – Craig Chesters Treasurer Sam Parton MYTS Secretary – Katie Phizacklea MTS Secretaries – Mike Hartley Jessica Smith Jo Sedgley–Chiles

Press & Publicity – Jennifer Marshall Chaperone Officer – Megan McGinley MYTS Committee member Diane Phizacklea MTS Committee members Helen Sian-Tisdale Becky Rodi

BOOK TICKETS ONLINE AT: www.myts.org.uk/windinthewillows www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk @myts_stafford