Playing Jesus is Rolando Zee’s dream role, and he gets to do it in the hit Broadway musical Godspell, being staged by Mesa Encore Theater.

“I am very lucky,” Zee said. “I have only done a couple musicals. My background has been mostly in film and theater pieces.”

Zee is also part of Voice Studio Choir, which performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York City with other choirs on Martin Luther King Day.

“Musicals are an interesting balance of fun and hard work,” Zee said. “I love to see all the talent from the acting, singing and dancing coming together, and when it is on, it is so perfect.”

Godspell, which is based on the Gospel of Matthew, will feature comedy skits, improvisation, fast-paced song and dance, and beautiful ballads.

The musical will be directed by ariZoni Award-winner Mickey Bryce, who is also pastor at Centerstage Church in Mesa.

“Many pastors are actors, but not many actors are pastors,” Bryce said. “It has been my privilege to be both for a long time.”

Day By Day is probably Godspell’s best-known songs. This production also features a rendition of Beautiful City, dedicated to the victims of 9/11.

Zee said Bryce wanted the musical to be very real and very present so that people today could relate to each character, including Jesus.

“Although Jesus is omnipotent and knows everything about his disciples, he is also a regular person,” Zee said.

Pastor Bryce knows his subject, and can testify to the accuracy of the Gospel. “Godspell is one of the few authentic retellings of the Christian story found in theater,” Bryce said. “It tells it straight, right out of Matthew, without changing the characters or degrading the truth. Told in Jesus’ parables, it is a story of God becoming a man, living with men so that they might know how to relate to God and, finally, God himself giving his life for his children so sin’s penalty might be paid. And in the end, the harmony between God and man is restored.”

For actress Elizabeth Reeves, who is playing Peggy, Godspell is a musical about community.

Reeves, who sang for Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2005, said she has performed in Godspell with two other theater companies and is excited about performing for the third time.

“This musical is one of the few you can have with both entertainment and edification,” Reeves said.

Tatiana Hensley
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 26, 2009 02:05 PM
1/30-2/8: 'Godspell'

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Directed by Mickey Bryce. Starring (in alphabetical order) Meredith Aiken, Michael Bryce Jr., Michelle Chin, Chris Fidler, Tina Kahlil, Stefan Linder, Elizabeth Reeves, Diane Senffner, Mitchell Vantrease, and Rolando Zee. This show will be performed in the MAC Studio. Conceived by John Michael Tebelak, music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

WHEN: January 30 – February 8, 2009 (Note: Dark on January 31) Wednesday-Saturday evenings at 7:00pm, and Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm.
WHERE: MAC Studio, Mesa Arts Center, 1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ
HOW: For Reservations please call the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at 480.644.6500. Fees are Adults $25.00, and Senior/Student $20.00.

Mesa Encore Theatre

Related posts:

1. Interview: 1/30-2/8: ‘Godspell’
2. FHCT announces opening of Godspell!
3. ‘Godspell’ casts spell over FH

Godspell will play September 8 through October 1, 2006. One of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time, Godspell is based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. Featuring a sparkling, seminal score by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell boasts a string of recognizable songs, led by the international hit, “Day By Day.” As the cast of actors clown their way through “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord,” “Save The People,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “Bless The Lord,” “All For The Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side,” we, as audience members get to see the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life.

Godspell opened at the Cherry Lane Theatre on May 17, 1971 and was an immediate hit with audiences. Because the Cherry Lane was too small for the crowds, the production moved uptown to the Promenade Theatre where it played 2,124 performances until it moved to Broadway in 1976. Godspell then played for an additional 527 performances on Broadway.

Godspell was the first musical presented by the fledgling Fountain Hills Community Theater nearly 20 years ago. It was also revived in 1997 in celebration of the theaters 10th anniversary, so it is delightful to see this wonderful show return in honor of the 20th season.

Godspell is the first production of the Fountain Hills Community Theaters 20th anniversary season. During the 05/06 season audience members were polled and the five most requested shows from the past 20 years were selected to create the 20th anniversary Season of Favorites. The 06/07 season continues with Amadeus – Nov 3 thru 19, Fiddler on the Roof - Jan. 19 thru Feb. 11, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) Mar. 16 thru Apr. 1 and closing with The Music Man May 4 thru 27.

Godspell is directed by FHCT Artistic Director Peter J. Hill, musically directed by Bill Moore, choreographed by Noel Irick and produced by Steve Mancarella. Godspell features Jesse Berger, Michael Heslin, Kellen Hunt, Ryan Jordan, Matt Mcdonald, Leslie S. Price, Chrystalle Reed, Elizabeth Reeves Janine Smith and Michael Stewart.

Godspell will play Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 P.M. Individual tickets are $20.00 for Adults and $15.00 for children 12 and under. All performances are at Fountain Hills Community Theater on its Mainstage at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. (The Corner of Saguaro and Rand). Tickets are available through the theater Box Office at 480-837-9661 x 3. Box Office Hours are 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday.

WHAT:Godspell – Conceived and Originally Directed by John-Michael Tebelak,
Music and New Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
WHEN: Sept 8 through Oct 1, 2006, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm
WHERE: Fountain Hills Community Theater, 11445 N Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ
HOW: Reservations: 480-837-9661 x 3 Visa/MC/Amex/Discover
PRICE: Individual Adult Tickets $20, Children 12 and under $15.

Godspell Cast, Left to right – Back: Ryan Jordan, Leslie S. Price, Kellen Hunt and Janine Smith
Middle: Michael Stewart and Jesse Berger
Front: Matt Mcdonald, Lizz Reeves, Mike Heslin and Chrystalle Reed

Related posts:

1. ‘Godspell’ casts spell over FH
2. Godspell Promotional Video is Here!
3. Interview: 1/30-2/8: ‘Godspell’