Village Players 'Godspell' Auditions Extended at James McCabe Theater

The Village Players is returning to the stage with the musical production of Godspell, for which auditions have been extended.

Cast hopefuls are invited to attend auditions Thursday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m., at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico, at 506 Fifth St., north of State Road 60

"Come with a song to sing a capealla, or accompanied by a CD," said Gail Pierce, who is co-directing the musical with Lois Green. "If you can't make it, call the Village Players hotline number to see if we can accommodate an alternate date."

The Village Players hotline number is 813-643-8292.

Pierce said the community theater troupe seeks to fill 13 cast positions (ages 16 through the early 40's) and that dance experience is a plus. Additional nights of auditions were held earlier this monrh.

Godspell, with book by John Michael Tebelak and music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is billed as, "A Musical Based Upon the Gospel According to St. Matthew."

In an interview archived at StephenSchwartz.com, Schwartz answered questions about the Godspell score. In one answer, he noted that the lyrics for many of the show's tunes were "re-settings of traditional Episcopal tunes," which is why, he said, his credit reads "music and new lyrics" and not "music and lyrics."

"We'll be staging the show during Lent, which is a perfect time to tell the story," Pierce said. "We're doing the show retro, as it was originally performed, set in the 70's, hippie style."

Show dates are March 8-9, 17-18 and 22-23, at 8 p.m. Also, March 17 at 3 p.m.

The show over the years has been performed in many different time settings. Pierce said this is the third time she has been involved with the show, having worked on Godspell with James McCabe, the namesake of the theater, both as a musical performed with clown personas and with adults acting the roles of children.

"It's a feel-good story," she said. "It's moving, it's fun, it's got happy parts, it has sad parts, it's uplifting and, of course, there's a message. And the songs and tunes will stay with you long after the show is over."

The third song in show's score, "Day By Day," spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at the No. 13 position on July 29, 2972, according to a Wikipedia report.   

• Listen to "Day By Day," from the 1971 original Broadway cast recording, featuring Robin Lamont.

Pierce said the Village Players production will open with a Friday night fish-fry dinner.

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The Village Players last took to the stage with "Miracle on 34th Street," directed by Gail Pierce, assisted by Josie Costa.

• See Is There a Santa Claus? See 'Miracle on 34th Street' at James McCabe Theater

• See Young Thespian Takes To Heart Her Role as Susan Walker in 'Miracle on 34th Street'

• See

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The James McCabe Theater is at 506 Fifth St. in Valrico, north of State Road 60 and west of Valrico Road.

Call the Village Players information line at 813-643-8292 or 813-630-2237.