William Baldwin, Godspell's main character, reenacts a parable to show his followers how to live.
			Godspell Opens Tomorrow Photographs and text by Sue Kropp
	Michael Muna in his role as "The Prodigal Son," with Allison Moon, a sophomore from Hudson, Ohio, narrating the tale behind him. Lisl Walsh, a junior from Danielson, Connecticut, tempts Leah Patriarco, a sophomore from Syracuse, during the musical number "Turn Back, O Man." Baldwin is tempted during a climactic scene of the show.		FEBRUARY 7, 2001--Humanity. Community. Compassion. The themes of Godspell, a contemporary retelling of the life of Jesus, are revealed in a musical production aimed at audiences of all ages. Oberlin's splashy interpretation of the off-Broadway sensation debuts Thursday, February 8, at 8:00 P.M. in Wilder Main and continues February 9 and 10 at the same time and location. Directed by Mary-Louise Schneider, a sophomore from North Royalton, Ohio, Godspell tells the story--found in the Bible's Gospel of Matthew--about the last seven days of Jesus's life. "I was a little nervous bringing such an in-your-face Christian show to Oberlin," says Schneider. "I was afraid of alienating people even before the show opened. So, instead of highlighting the religious themes, I decided to focus on the humanity of the show." In Schneider's production, cast members use their own names. The character of Jesus is transformed into Will, played by William Baldwin, a first-year student from Glastonbury, Connecticut. Baldwin's character teaches a group of unhappy people that there is a better way to live, and they eventually accept his ideas. The group forms a community, and ultimately survives together the murder of their leader. "Will is just a man trying to teach other people a more basic and simple way to live," says Schneider. "He wants people to love and care for each other, and to be able to find spirituality in everyday things and in the beauty of nature and life itself. It doesn't matter if he was the 'Son of God;' he gave people something to have faith in." Michael Muna, a sophomore from San Diego and member of the cast, agrees with Schneider. "Godspell isn't about dogma; it's about building a community and using the support and love from other people in that community to survive and grow," Muna says. "The cast became a community, too--otherwise we wouldn't have been able to make it through the crucifixion scene." While the Oberlin production of Godspell may have a few liberal twists, the musical is true to the original script's message. "In the end, the community learns that the universal message of love cannot be snuffed out even though their leader is gone," says Schneider. "They have learned to live his message of humanity, community, and compassion." Muna leads the cast through a chorus of song.
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