"Godspell"

has been a success both on and off Broadway. The musical is based on the

Gospel according to Matthew and features parables performed by a cast

that combines pantomime and clowning with music. McIntosh High School's

Fine Arts Department is performing the show Thursday through Sunday and

though they have adapted the setting and enlarged the cast, the message

is still the same.

Many productions

of "Godspell" differ. Some have been used clowns, while others

have portrayed Jesus as everything from a construction worker to a janitor.

McIntosh's version is set in a high school classroom and Jesus is a teacher.

Though most productions perform the show with a cast of 10, McIntosh is

using 22 students, ranging from freshman to senior and varying in experience.

"It's

been awesome," said Stephen Buckner, who is directing the show along

with musical directors Dr. Frank Green and Cara Hubbard and choreographer

Tegan Fischer. "We have everything from members of the all state

chorus and thespians to kids coming out for the first time. It is a strong

singing cast and we have found some new, unutilized talent this year."

The show features

a number of up tempo numbers and is known all over the world as a feel

good show. Some of the more famous numbers from the musical include "Day

The cast will be backed up by a live band with student musicians manning

guitars and drums.

"The show

itself is about building a community," said Buckner. "By setting

it in a high school we could have all the cliques represented and have

them come together. That has been a challenge for the cast though because

though they are high school students playing high school students, they

can't just be themselves."

The cast has

come together to do something outside of the show as well. Sunday's performance

will be a benefit for Kelly Murphy, a student who is battling Hodgkins

Lymphoma and is currently getting a stem cell transplant. A minimum donation

of $10 is asked for Sunday's performance as the funds raised will help

pay some of her medical expenses.

"Godspell"

will be performed at the Black Box Theatre at McIntosh High School at

7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday with matinees at 3 p.m. on Saturday

and Sunday. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults for every show

but Sunday.

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