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“GODSPELL” AT TOWNGATE AUGUST 2-5

Talented Cast Delivers Uplifting Message About Compassion & Understanding

See “Godspell” at Towngate! Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players continue their 2017 season with one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time.  This immensely popular rock opera needs little introduction. However, when first produced in 1971 it broke new ground in its treatment of the historical Jesus Christ.

The production is under the theatrical direction of Tim Thompson, musical direction of Mikayla Schultz and choreography by Cheryl Pompeo.  You can see the production at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, August 2-5 at Towngate Theatre.

Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the show is not based on a traditional plot.  Instead, it utilizes clowning, pantomime, charades, song and dance and vaudeville to deliver its messages. A production that moves from moment to moment, “Godspell” is a reflection on the life of Jesus by twelve performers to whom the audience can easily relate.

John-Michael Tebelek originally directed “Godspell” and Stephen Schwartz, from “Wicked” fame, created the music and lyrics.

Creative, Smart, Energetic Cast

Director Thompson says audiences will be very impressed with the “creative, smart and energetic” young cast and will find the show “uplifting.”

“Godspell fills us all with hope, faith and love and illustrates how compassion and understanding can build a community of man and that those things are possible even in our divided and chaotic world,” he said.

“Godspell” started as a college project performed by students at Carnegie Mellon University. Later, it moved to La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in Greenwich Village. It was then re-scored for an off-Broadway production, which became a long-running success.

See Godspell at Towngate Aug. 2-5

Don’t Miss Schwartz’s Sparkling, Seminal Score

Featuring Schwartz’s sparkling, seminal score, the musical boasts a string of recognizable songs. Led by the international hit, “Day by Day,” other songs include: “Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord),” “Save the People,” “O, Bless the Lord, My Soul,” and “Light of the World.” Through song and dance, audience members see stories come humanly and hearteningly to life.

In addition to “Godspell,” Stephen Schwartz contributed music and/or lyrics to popular Disney and DreamWorks animated features. Schwartz earned three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards and four Drama Desk Awards.

Director Thompson Finds Special Meaning in “Godspell”

Thompson said “Godspell” has a special meaning to him.  “It was the first show I ever did back in high school.  At the time, I was experiencing a personal tragedy and being in this play saved my life.   It also led me in the direction of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life – work and play in the theater.”

In addition to his personal affinity for the play, he chose “Godspell” to be a part of the Parcel Players season for several reasons.

“The cast and crew from our high school production really bonded. They all remain great friends of mine and will forever. I wanted our Parcel Players to experience the same. To bond with a group of fellow actors is a very special thing. I want our young actors to remember this experience and keep in touch with each other even after the curtain comes down on their final performance,” he said.

A Showcase For Young Talent

Additionally, Thompson says, “Godspell” is the perfect vehicle to teach young actors about acting. When Tebelek and Schwartz wrote “Godspell” for their thesis project, they created it to be a showcase for young actors who could sing, dance, act and improvise.

“Another unique thing about ‘Godspell’ is that the entire cast never leaves the stage so actors learn stamina.”

Jesus, played by Woody Pond, and John the Baptist/Judas, played by Maguire Glass, lead the cast as the two specific characters in the play. The ensemble characters play themselves while representing twelve disciples learning lessons about community, hypocrisy, love and many morals and values through parables and stories from their teacher.

See Godspell at Towngate Aug. 2-5
Woody Pond plays Jesus and Maguire Glass plays John the Baptist/Judas.

Ensemble cast members include:  Joana Tsuhlares, David Gaudio, Betsy Brossman, Ryan Bartsch, Lexie Kosanovic, Josie Jarrett, Stephanie Ebarb, Ben Ashmore, Megan Chacalos and Veda Wheeler.

Band members are Schultz on piano; Cody Stepanek on drums; Anthony Panebianco on bass and Greg Pond on guitar.

Large & Impressive Crew Supports the Production

In addition to Thompson, Schultz and Pompeo, a large and impressive crew supports the production.  Bob Gaudio serves as assistant director; Sarah Miller is stage manager; Mallory Fischer is assistant music director/vocal coach; set designer is Dave Henderson; P.D. Gregg is technical director; Julia Schmidt is prop master and board operators are Chelsea McAvoy and Brooke Lander.   Students in Towngate’s set construction camp provided assistance building and painting the set.

“We typically only have 2-3 crew members.  For this sure, we have 16.  It has been wonderful to have so many people using their skills to make this show a success,” Thompson said.

The production is a true community effort with people from all over the area.  Students from four middle schools (Bridge Street, Triadelphia, Wheeling and Warwood), three high schools (Wheeling Central, John Marshall and Wheeling Park) and four universities (Muskingum, West Liberty, Bethany and WVU) participate in the show.

Uplifting Message Inspires Audiences of All Ages

Thompson said audiences of all ages will enjoy and appreciate this show. “The play is first and foremost about Jesus building a community of man from a group of isolated, scared, angry people. Now, more than ever, we need this message shared, understood and put into action.”

Oglebay Institute’s Parcel Players began more than 40 years ago and offers young people interested in theater a chance to perform, direct, work with costumes, lighting and more.

The plays are wonderful examples of community theater at its best and offer local audiences a chance to enjoy comedy, drama, song and dance – perfect for the whole family.

Get Tickets

Purchase tickets online or by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.

Towngate Theatre is located at 2118 Market St. in Centre Wheeling and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is handicap accessible, and you can purchase refreshments, including beer and wine.  The box opens one hour before all shows and can be reached at 304-233-0820.

Crosscurrents Exhibit Showcases Regional Artistic Talent

A staple of Oglebay Institute’s art exhibition season, Crosscurrents is now open at OI’s Stifel Fine Arts Center. For more than 30 years, this annual exhibition has attracted some of the finest artwork from the tri-state region.

The multi-media exhibition features more than 80 pieces from dozens of artists and can be viewed free of charge through August 18.

Each year artists, who reside within an 80-mile radius of Wheeling, submit hundreds of works and vie for a chance to exhibit in this show. A guest juror chooses the works for the exhibit. The top three artists receive cash prizes.

Winning Artists Announced

Robert Villamagna won first place for his mixed media piece “Man with the Cowgirl Tattoo.”

Robert Villamagna won first place in Crosscurrents 2017.

Cheryl Ryan Harshman won second place for her piece “Tree of Life,” an acrylic and lace on paper.

Cheryl Harshman won second place in Crosscurrents 2017.

Brian Fencl won third place for his ink-on-paper work “Decisions (Regret).”

Brian Fencl won third place inCrosscurrents 2017.

In addition, two artists received honorable mention ribbons for this year’s exhibition. They are: Robert Sako, for his pastel work titled, “Rainbows” and Monica Mull, for her photograph, “Alice.”

Juror Hopes Exhibit Inspires Artists

Oglebay Institute director of exhibitions Michael McKowen curated the exhibit and award-winning artist Thomas Wharton served as juror. Wharton studied painting at The Art Student’s League of New York, The New York Studio School, The New York Academy of Art, The Grand Central Academy and The National Academy of Design.

In evaluating each entry, Wharton reviewed how successful artists were in the technical use of their materials as well as effectiveness in crafting a distinctive style and delivering on their artistic aims, which varied widely.

“Some artists worked to create pieces that would inspire contemplation or bring beauty into the world. Others had a story to tell. Still others commented on political or social issues. And some created work that was based on a fascination with the possibilities of their medium for purely abstract expression. In considering these artistic aims, I looked for how clear those aims were, and how successful the artist was in expressing them,” Wharton said in his juror’s statement.

“In the final analysis though, what determined the selections I made was how all these elements came together to create a work that had a vivid presence, something with a life of its own. I hope that the results of this selection will present a meaningful picture of the widely varied artistic activity in our area, one that will inspire artists to go back to the studio, and that will expand an awareness in the rest of us, of the richness they bring to all our lives,” he added.

Crosscurrents Signature Piece:  West Virginia Flamingo

This year’s show features a special edition. McKowen chose artist Jes Reger to create an original piece to represent Crosscurrents 2017.  Reger created “West Virginia Flamingo,” a watercolor painting of a Great Blue Heron.  It was used for promotional materials, such as the exhibit catalog and was not included in the jurying process, but is on display in the show.

Reger said most of her work consists of every day life, and her paintings have an “unformed,” organic quality.  “Quite simply, I paint what feels good, the little things in life that make me happy.”

For this piece, she wanted her subject matter to have a deeper meaning, and she chose the Great Blue Heron to represent her interpretation of Crosscurrents.

“In short, herons are predatory birds that migrate during winter. Some, however, choose to stick around.  Why do they choose to stay here?  Well, I like to think it is what keeps many of us here. There is something unique about this area and its people that you will not find anywhere else. That something is different for all of us, including the heron,” Reger said.

Go & See…

United Bank sponsors Crosscurrents 2017, and you can see the exhibit free of charge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through August 18. Evening hours depend on classes and special events. Please call 304-242-7700 for more information. In addition, many of the works on display can be purchased.

Located at 1330 National Road in Wheeling, Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is conveniently located just off exit 2B of 1-70. Also a teaching facility, the Stifel welcomes students of all ages to its ongoing classes in art, crafts, dance, fitness and more.

Crossscurrents 2017 is part of the Helen B. Gaither Exhibition Season. Members of Oglebay Institute as well as financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts, made this exhibit possible.