Tannis Nelson
Submitted to The Morning Star
St. James students recently rejoiced in presenting its seasonal production of Godspell.
Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Academy, Grammy and Tony award winner Stephen Schwartz, the musical has captivated audiences since its original New York premiere in 1971.
Although not your typical Christmas production, Godspell was the perfect choice for the highly-anticipated annual performance by the students of St. James.
A musical production based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the St. James rendition of Godspell successfully transformed stories from the Gospel into fun and joyful bits, full of colourful and exquisitely costumed children singing about peace and love.
Under the guidance and direction of Paul Rossetti, creative director and newly minted principal of St. James, the Grade 7 students led the performance with a joyous and skillful delivery of the parables headed up by Jesus, played by William Rutter.
The stories were enhanced by Schwartz’s timeless songs, including Prepare Ye, Day by Day, and Light of the World, which were exuberantly sung and performed by students of all grades, creating an uplifting theatrical experience.
Although there wasn’t a single jingle bell in sight, the student’s performance lit up the stage in joyous celebration of the Gospel, reminding the audience about the reason for the season.
St. James School is a welcoming school community, inspired and guided by faith. St. James is committed to providing academic excellence while inspiring students to be enthusiastic, caring and active participants in a wide range of sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities.
If you are interested in learning more about St. James School, the Ready, Set, Learn program on Tuesday, Jan. 12, is a great opportunity to bring your preschooler in for a morning of fun and play.
You can pre-register for this event by calling 250-542-4081, or by email to sjschoolvern@shaw.ca. More information can also be found on the school website at www.stjamesvernon.com.
