Biblical characters and stories come to life on stage as Coastal Carolina’s theater production of “Godspell” emphasizes community and love, especially as the surrounding world becomes more technologically advanced and dystopian.
Fostering community through parables of the Bible and follows Jesus through the Gospel of Matthew, “Godspell” is set to premier Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Wheelright Auditorium.
The musical “Godspell” was created to be timeless, allowing creative freedom for individual directors to set it at different times and places throughout history. In Coastal’s interpretation, directed by Associate Professor and Director Adam Pelty, the story takes place in the future, where Artificial Intelligence (AI) shaped an “increasingly automated, optimized and disconnected” society.
“The decision to set ‘Godspell’ within a more futuristic, AI-influenced world grew out of the show’s central question: What happens when human connection, compassion, and spiritual curiosity have been forgotten or replaced? Ultimately, the futuristic frame serves as a contrast,” Pelty said. “As artificial intelligence dominates the world, it is deeply human connection that becomes the radical, transformative force.”
While AI is an important theme in this production of “Godspell,” there is another theme of community woven throughout the show. Sophomore BFA musical theater major Alex Knight described the importance of community and togetherness within the production.
“There’s this song called ‘Day by Day’ where the whole premise of it is kind of that we’re rediscovering human touch and learning how to be together,” Knight said. “I think the focus is community. It’s about being together; it’s about finding each other … And I hope people walk away like thinking ‘Wow, I have people around me and wanting to surround themselves with community and love.’”
