Tryouts planned for first show in new arts center

After many months of preparation, the Albritton Mayer Center will be host to tryouts for the upcoming musical "Godspell." To prepare, volunteers gathered Tuesday night to prepare for tryouts.

'Godspell' set to premiere Feb. 21

SIKESTON - Tryouts for the musical "Godspell," the Sikeston Little Theatre's first show in the new Imogene Ruth Albritton Mayer Center for the Arts, will begin next week.

Tryouts will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 28, 4 p.m. Dec. 29, and 2 p.m. Dec. 30 in the new theater at 506 S. Kingshighway.

The Sikeston Little Theatre production of "Godspell" is slated to be presented Feb. 21-24 and March 1-3.

The cast includes 12 to 14 roles evenly divided between male and female parts, according to the play's director, Steve Beydler. He explained the roles are all singing parts and will require strong, mature voices. Those trying out are asked to have a prepared piece which best exhibits their range and voice. The piece should not exceed one verse and chorus.

Those who do not want to take an acting role in the play but who would like to assist with the production in other ways are asked to attend one of the tryout sessions to inform Beydler of which job they are interested in. Musicians, backstage workers, construction personnel, painters, prop people and costumers are needed.

"Godspell" was conceived by John Michael Tebelik based on music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

Based on the Gospel according to Matthew, the musical expresses the belief of the playwright and author that the passion of Jesus Christ was to teach love and joy in the hearts of people rather than hate and sadness.

The play features several types of music such as ballads, folk, pop and light musical comedy. In staging the well-known stories and parables from the Bible, the cast calls on many theatrical devices including pantomime, charades, puppetry, vaudeville antics and tap and soft-shoe dancing.

After a long run of Broadway, "Godspell" was presented on a nationwide tour beginning in 1975 and has been performed by theater groups across the country since that time as well as being revived to tour the country in 2000 and 2001.

The Sikeston Little Theatre first presented the production in 1985 for a six-day run.

Those interested in auditioning for a role or working backstage but are unable to attend any of the tryout sessions are asked to call Beydler at 471-1965.

For other questions regarding the Sikeston Little Theatre contact Lynn Colley at 471-6888.