Bergen County Players to Feature GODSPELL

Bergen County Players will present the uplifting, rowdy and joyous classic rock musical GODSPELL, which premieres March 19. Under the direction of Lynne Lupfer, this musical sensation, the debut offering from the internationally acclaimed composer Stephane Schwartz, continues to touch audiences around the world with its vibrant rock score and messages of kindness, tolerance and love. Performances will take place at the Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, from March 19 to Palm Sunday April 10 (Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.). Tickets for GODSPELL, priced at $25 for all performances, can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.orgor by leaving a message at the box office at 201-261-4200.

Stephane Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for GODSPELL, as well as the current Broadway hit Wicked and also contributed music and/or lyrics to Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker’s Wife, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags and Children of Eden. He has also worked in the cinema, collaborating with Alain Menken on songs from Disney’s Enchanted as well as animated feature films Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, among others. John-Michael Tebelak originally conceived GODSPELL as a master’s thesis project at Carnegie Mellon University in 1970. All members of the original cast contributed to the playful storyline that evolved under his direction.

GODSPELL is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew. The parables are interspersed with music set mostly to lyrics from traditional hymns. In the show, a small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques, and heavy doses of comedy. An eclectic mix of songs including “All for the Best”, “Save the People” and of course the pop hit “Day by Day”, ranging from pop to vaudeville, is used as the story of the life of Jesus dances across the stage.

After the musical premiered in 1970, it moved to off-off-Broadway La Mama Experimental Theater Club in Manhattan’s East Village. The show was later re-recorded for an off-Broadway production, which became a long-running hit and spawned several national and international productions, including a Broadway revival in 2011. Now, just after the musical’s 50th anniversary , BCP is thrilled to bring him back. to his audience!

GODSPELL will be directed by Lynne Lupfer of Tenafly. Lynne’s previous BCP directing credits include Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Leading Ladies, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Mouse That Roared, and most recently You Can’t Take It with You. “Godspell is all about people with different ideas coming together to create a community,” says Lynne. “Is there anything our world needs more of today? We hope our stories and songs will encourage all who come to come together in unity. »

The talented cast of GODSPELL includes Nick Nappo of Suffern, NY as Jesus, Patrick Dwyer from Ridgewood as Jean-Baptiste/Judas, with Diana Baer from Little Falls, Sara Den Bleyker from Rochelle Park, Matthew Blum from Hackensack, Yaritza Camarano from New Milford, Nina LaBarre from Westwood, Katie Lupfer from Tenafly, Bryan John Morris of New Milford and John Sapida of Little Ferry.

Nick makes his BCP debut in Godspell, with some of his previous credits including The Full Monty, The Tempest, Lost in Yonkers and Disgraced. Patrick also appears at BCP for the first time, having appeared elsewhere in Curtains, The Music Man, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Once Upon a Mattress. Sara has appeared elsewhere in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Top Girls and Urinetown, and Nina’s past credits include Gypsy, The Wild Party and Les Miserables. This production of Godspell marks John’s fifth performance on the show, and he has also appeared on In the Heights, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and The Wedding Singer. Yaritza has done comedies and voiceovers in the New York area.

Diana is no stranger to the BCP scene, having choreographed recent productions of Pippin, Jack and the Beanstalk, You Can’t Take It with You and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Matthew’s credits at the Little Firehouse Theater include The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Cabaret and Guys and Dolls. Katie’s BCP credits on stage include You Can’t Take It with You, Leading Ladies, The Mouse That Roared and The Man Who Came to Dinner, and Bryan has appeared in 33 Variations, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Spamalot at the Little Firehouse Theater.

The production team is made up of Lynne Lupfer (director/set designer), William Rich (music director), Alexis DePersia-Norelli (choreographer), Michele Roth (producer), Geri Berhain (assistant director/stage manager), Barbra Murtha (props), Allan Seward (lighting designer), Jim Lesco (construction of scenery), Tim Larsen (Sound Design), Jill Hendrickson (Lighting Operator), Barry Reed (Sound Operation), Lisa Dahlborg and Katie Lupfer (Costumes), Yaritza Camarano and Jessica Lohsen (Makeup), Teri Noel and Nick Nappo (Advertising), Sara Den Bleyker ( social media), Richard Frant (photography), Marci Weinstein (program notes) and James Lugo (member at large).

Acting on its desire to ensure the safety of its members and customers, new and improved MERV filters have been installed on all HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units, as well as UV lamps on all HVAC units for help eradicate airborne pathogens. BCP will continue to follow CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines and adhere to the following protocols. All actors, theater volunteers and audience members must be fully immunized. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required of all at the entrance. Face coverings will be required in all public areas of the theater, including lobby areas, restrooms, and when seated during the performance.

TICKET AND TIMETABLE INFORMATION

All performances are held at the Little Firehouse Theater at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home of the Bergen County players since 1949. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets for Godspell are $25 for all performances. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org or by calling 201-261-4200 to leave a message at the box office.

Those interested in group sales or theater nights can call (201) 261-4200 (option 6)

Church groups of 10 or more can use code CHURCH3BCP when ordering to receive a $3 discount per ticket!

BCP offers seats to accommodate customers with reduced mobility and that can be transferred from a wheelchair. These seats can be purchased by calling the box office at 201-261-4200 and will go on public sale two weeks prior to the performance.

Discounted advance tickets for students 25 and under with proper ID are available for $14 by phone or walk-in at each performance, subject to seat availability. There is also a $5 discount for students starting 30 minutes before curtain time for each performance. Not available online. There is a limit of one discounted ticket per student card.

A new program is now available for qualified nonprofit organizations to use a performance of each production as a fundraising event. The group will reserve all 200 seats at a greatly reduced price, then resell the tickets at the price of their choice, with the price difference being kept by the group. The available date is the Thursday of the last weekend of each show. Interested groups can email fundraising@bcplayers.org for more information.

Parking is free for our patrons at the municipal lot on Park Avenue across the street half a block north of the theater, as well as street parking on Kinderkamack Road and various side streets, all within easy walking distance.

Further information can be found at www.bcplayers.org.