Madison Lyric Stage Presents Young Artist Production of GODSPELL

Madison Lyric Stage, an award-winning, professional theater company serving the Connecticut Shoreline, announced that it is presenting a young artist production of the Stephen Schwartz musical Godspell, featuring a cast of 10, all 25 years old and younger, with a band of six musicians.

The musical will run for four performances May 18, 19, 25 and 26 at the MLS 'black box' theater at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society located at 297 Boston Post Road in Madison, CT. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Marc Deaton directs.

Stephen Schwartz, now perhaps best-known for composing the hit musicals Wicked and Pippin, wrote Godspell more than 40 years ago. Since then, it has become one of the most beloved and frequently produced musicals in history, featuring hit songs like "Day by Day," "By My Side," and "Save the People."

This transformative musical, based on the Gospel of St. Matthew, presents a whimsical view of the teachings of Jesus, as his followers and disciples re-enact parables and scenes from his life. The music is both boisterous and buoyant, with a variety of modern music styles, including pop, folk and gospel, set primarily to lyrics from traditional Episcopal hymns.

The cast is comprised of performers from Madison Lyric Stage's young artist program. These young singers and actors appear in MLS mainstage productions in smaller roles and have traditionally had their own concert evening. This is the first time that MLS will present a full production for its young artists.

Joining the case are local gifted and talented high school students, representing Guilford High School, Madison's Daniel Hand High School, and New Haven's ACES Educational Center for the Arts.

"Our young artist program allows less experienced performers on a path toward a professional career to gain skill by being in our mainstage shows," said Marc Deaton, artistic director of Madison Lyric Stage. "This year, we decided their talent deserved a full production, and we are thrilled that some exceptionally talented high school students are also joining us. Part of our mission is to serve our community, and we are excited to be able to provide performance opportunities to young people from the area."

Tickets are only $25 and can be purchased at madisonlyricstage.org or by calling 203-215-6329.

Later this year, Madison Lyric Stage will present the Stephen Sondheim/George Furth musical comedy Company in July, and the Benjamin Britten suspense opera The Turn of the Screw in October, both at the historic Deacon John Grave House in Madison.

Madison Lyric Stage is a recent winner of a BroadwayWorld Connecticut award for its 2017 production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Madison Lyric Stage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity and arts collective for the Shoreline of Connecticut. Its mission is to present affordable, professional-quality entertainment from the worlds of opera, musical theater and drama. Past productions include: A Little Night Music, Agnes of God, Blithe Spirit, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Macbeth, Peter Grimes, Salome, The Glass Menagerie, and many others.

For more information about Madison Lyric Stage, visit madisonlyricstage.org.