GODSPELL to Close 8/4 at Lincoln Amphitheatre

Lincoln Amphitheatre and Evansville Civic Theatre partnered in producing the two-act musical play Godspell, which is set to close August 4.

The two-act musical focuses on the Gospel according to St. Matthew as presented in a series of skits and songs with Jesus and his disciples. This musical features songs by Stephen Schwartz and was conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak. Godspell opened on Broadway in 1971, and its song "Day by Day" reached number 13 on the U.S. Billboard Charts in 1972. The original Broadway version depicted the disciples as loving clowns, but director Chris Tyner added a creative twist with the disciples as artists.

"We set the scene placing Jesus in the role of a master artist, in the vein of Jackson Pollock. He will begin a large painting while the audience is being seated, then the call will go out at the beginning of the show and he will be joined by other members of his "Artists Commune (the disciples)," Tyner says. "Through the art of storytelling and performance art, the commune will tell the parables lined out in the gospel of St. Matthew."

Lincoln Amphitheatre is a 1500-seat covered amphitheatre located inside Lincoln State Park, just four miles from Holiday World and Splashin' Safari. It is home to the outdoor musical drama A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, the original musical play about Abraham Lincoln's Indiana boyhood years.

Lincoln Amphitheatre's and Evansville Civic Theatre's partnership in Godspell runs now until August 4, Wednesday through Saturday evenings beginning at 7:30 p.m. CDT and one matinee on Sunday, August 4 at 2 p.m. CDT. Ticket prices are $19 for adults; $16 for seniors ages 55 and older, students ages seven to 21, and military; and $6 for children ages six and under. An optional homestyle buffet meal including fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and slaw is available for an additional charge to guests who reserve at least three days in advance.

For more information about tickets and Lincoln Amphitheatre's 2013 season, visit www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org or call 800-264-4223.