Department of Theatre Kicks Off Its 64th Mainstage Series

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Day by Day - Allegra Rodriguez Shivers, Keefer Roach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Department of Theatre begins another year of exciting shows with the high-energy musical Godspell, music by Stephan Schwartz and book by John-Michael Tebelak.

Based primarily on the Gospel of Matthew, Godspell has been performed in venues around the world since its debut off-Broadway, a production that ran for more than five years and 2,000 performances, beginning in 1971. Hit songs from the show include Day by Day, By My Side, Turn Back, O Man and Learn Your Lessons Well. A legendary 1972 Canadian production featured then-unknown future stars Victor Garber, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Gilda Radner, Dave Thomas, Martin Short and Paul Shaffer.

The Department of Theatre’s production will use the updated script and score from the 2011 Broadway revival. This is the thesis show for third year Master of Fine Arts director Brandyn Smith (Tribes, The Little Dog Laughed). The cast is led by undergraduate Keefer Dean Roach, from Trumann, Arkansas, as Jesus; and third year Master of Fine Arts actor Nathaniel Stahlke, from Mansfield, Ohio, as John the Baptist/Judas Iscariot.

Performances are 8 p.m. Oct. 3-4 and 8-11 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5 and 12. All performances are in the University Theatre. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and university faculty and staff and $5 for students. The performances on Oct. 8 and 9 are free to students with a valid University of Arkansas ID. The department staff strongly recommends making reservations in advance. U of A students must make their reservations in person at the box office in order to receive a free or $5 ticket.

The box office for Godspell will be open from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, Sept. 29-Oct. 10. The box office is also open two hours prior to each performance.

The University of Arkansas Department of Theatre has been providing exciting and affordable live theatre for more than 60 years. They combine a first-rate theatrical education full of hands-on experience with a wide selection of titles to challenge their students and delight the community. The Theatre Department produces eight shows a year: four large-scale productions at the University Theatre and four smaller shows in the Studio Series. Shows range from new works to classic favorites, from period pieces and Shakespeare plays to Broadway musicals.

For more information about upcoming productions, visit the Department of Theatre website.