Photo Flash: Provision Theater Company's GODSPELL

Provision Theater Company, a multi-Jeff nominated Equity theater company, will kick off their 2010-2011 season with one of the most popular rock musicals of all time, GODSPELL. The groundbreaking, energetic production based on the Gospel of St. Matthew previews August 11, opens Saturday, August 14 at 8 p.m. and runs through September 26 at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Provision Theater Company Artistic Director Tim Gregory directs.

A celebration of worldwide community, packed with hit songs and irresistible goodwill, GODSPELL is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time, running for over 2,600 performances. The upbeat retelling of biblical parables is punctuated and amplified by a playful and poignant score by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED). Popular tunes like the international hit "Day by Day," "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord," "All Good Gifts," "Turn Back, O Man" and "By My Side" share messages of kindness, tolerance and love. GODSPELL is a recipient of a 1972 Grammy Award for Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album, and a 1977 Tony nominee for Best Original Score.

GODSPELL stars Syler Thomas as "Jesus" and Justin Berkobien as "John the Baptist/Judas". Ensemble members include Maxwell Burnham, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Greg Foster, Sarah Grant, Frederick Harris, Richelle Meiss, Kevin O'Brien, Jennifer Oakley and Amy Steele.

The production team for GODSPELL, led by Artistic Director Tim Gregory includes Choreographer Amber Mak, Assistant Director/Choreographer Priscilla Hummel, Musical Director Rokko Jans and Assistant Musical Director Shannon Huneryager. The design team includes Scenic Designer Inseung Park, Costume Designer DJ Reed, Assistant Costume Designer Rosella Nitti, Lighting Designer JaRed Moore and Sound Designer Christopher Kris. The Production Manager is Jason Pikscher and the Technical Director is John Gedeon Jr.

The performance schedule is as follows: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. ($28) and Sundays at 3 p.m. ($25). Previews on August 11 and 12 are at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices include free parking. Groups of 10 or more receive 10% off. For reservations, phone 866.811.4111. You may also visit www.provisiontheater.org.

Provision Theater Company is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose. Provision Theater Company has celebrated numerous Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for their critically-acclaimed productions of COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, C.S. Lewis ON STAGE, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY & THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR, THE SPITFIRE GRILL and BEAST ON THE MOON. Other highly praised productions include: SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.

Photo Credit: Ingrid Oyen

Justin Berkobien

Syler Thomas

Sarah Grant, Tiffany Cox, Richelle Meiss, Amy Steele, Jennifer Oakley. (Back r to l) Greg Walters, Frederick Harris, Kevin O'Brien.