Last Thursday, February 21, 2013 SKyPAC’s lobby erupted with young talent as the Bowling Green High School cast of Godspell broke into song and dance. If you missed it check out the video and the article below by the BG Daily Newspaper:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvjQ6UZ_AUk&w=560&h=315]
A SHOW BEFORE THE SHOW
Students surprise SKyPAC with ‘Godspell’ peek
Posted: Friday, February 22, 2013 12:09 pm | Updated: 12:27 pm, Fri Feb 22, 2013
By LAUREL WILSON, The Daily News, lwilson@bgdailynews.com/783-3240
Visit Bowling Green Daily News: http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/a-show-before-the-show/article_06b4abd6-7d1b-11e2-9788-001a4bcf887a.html
Among the crowd in the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center lobby Thursday night before the performance of “A Chorus Line” was the 45-member cast of Bowling Green High School’s upcoming production of “Godspell.”
When a trumpet sounded from the balcony, the students made their way to the area in front of the box office and burst into song and dance, surprising many patrons around them. Their seemingly spontaneous performance of “You are the Light of the World,” a song from “Godspell,” was actually a flash mob. BGHS choir director Patricia “Trish” Beresford got the idea for a flash mob from a parent, and the students were excited when she presented them with the idea.
“The students watch flash mobs on YouTube all the time,” Beresford said. “It seemed like a fun way to promote the musical.” Marilyn Johnson of Bowling Green, 15, a sophomore in the show, enjoyed being part of it. “I don’t think it’s been done before, so it’s different,” she said. “It’s cool.”
“Godspell” isn’t typical of the musicals BGHS has performed in the past, students said. The show tells the story of the Gospel of Matthew with singing and dancing. “It’s really energetic,” Johnson said. “It’s more modern than other shows we’ve done. It’s a lot easier to relate to.” For example, one of Johnson’s roles is a hipster and most of the costumes are modern clothes.
“You are the Light of the World” is a song that comes at the end of the first act, when the disciples come together and band around Jesus, said Evan Atwell of Bowling Green, 17, a senior who plays Jesus. “You can really start to see a community being built,” he said.
Rehearsals for the show began in January, and the flash mob offered the first chance for the cast to wear their costumes and practice in front of people. “I think it will help them not be as nervous,” Beresford said. “It’s a good experience before the show.” Although it was the first time performing part of the show outside rehearsals, Jesse Shadowen, 15, a sophomore who plays a disciple, wasn’t nervous. “I was more excited than nervous,” he said. “I was pumped.”
The flash mob made Atwell more excited for the show. Having an audience Thursday night, the cast was able to perform with more intensity than in rehearsal, he said. “I think that’s really going to spark our confidence,” Atwell said.
Beresford was thrilled with how the flash mob went. “I thought they were energetic,” she said. “It was a lot of fun to watch them have an opening performance.” She plans to use a flash mob to prepare and promote every show from now on. “This is going to be a regular part of our process,” Beresford said.
— Bowling Green High School’s production of “Godspell” will be March 8-10 at the Capitol Arts Center.
Get Tickets Now: https://www.theskypac.com/event/godspell-presented-bowling-green-high-school-choral-department
