The Weehawken High School annual spring play, a production of “Godspell,” will take place this weekend, Friday and Saturday nights, March 22 and 23, with the curtain rising at 7:30 p.m.
The play is a series of musical numbers interpreting the gospel according to St. Matthew, sometimes with humor added in.
This year’s production represents something more than your average high school play. In a very unique collaboration, the Weehawken High School students have been joined by professional actors, directors, choreographers and design people.
Long-time Weehawken resident and professional theater veteran Laurie Wessely has volunteered her services to take over the direction of the play. She has rounded up the help of some of her theater friends, including Garth Kravits, who will portray Jesus in the production.
“It has been a very unique experience,” said Kravits, who has been acting since he was 8 years old. “I’ve directed teenage theater before, but I never performed on stage with them. It has been refreshing and very exhilarating. I think it’s a great age for these kids to be in this show. I’ve never heard anything like it. It makes me feel like I’m back in high school.”
Kravits, who said that he always wanted to be in “Godspell” when he was in high school, said that he had no apprehension performing with the novice teenagers.
“I came in with my arms wide open,” Kravits said. “I had no hesitation whatsoever. In dealing with a professional director, it’s not quite a shock. You know what to expect. But there is still something about doing theater on a high school level. There’s a bizarre energy, the youthful exuberance with the eyes wide open. The kids are rising to the occasion and doing a great job.”
The students have all enjoyed the experience in working with the professionals.
“There has been this instant connection,” said Ed Garnighian, a Weehawken High senior who is portraying Judas in the production. “Working with Garth has been awesome. We’re getting along and working well together. The show has been a lot of fun and the music is touching. More than anything, it’s a history lesson on the life of Jesus Christ, who the man was, and his message of love and peace.”
Garnighian, who is a professional magician, has also been able to work some of his magic tricks into the show.
“I think it’s going to make me look at magic in a different way,” Garnighian said. “I never did anything like this before. It’s really been a great experience.”
Katie Gross, an eighth grader, is playing the role of Mary Magdalene.
“I think the show has been amazing,” Gross said. “Everyone is connecting well. I was a little shaky on the idea of working with the professionals. I didn’t know what it was going to be like. But it has turned out to be wonderful and a lot of fun. It has definitely been better than what I could imagine.”
Junior Mike Rodriguez has never performed on stage anywhere before. In this production, he gets to sing the powerful solo, “All Good Gifts”.
“First of all, I was totally amazed by Garth,” Rodriguez said. “I thought it was going to be very hard when I heard he was a professional, but as it turned out, I wasn’t too intimidated. It has been a lot of fun. Garth came in and blended right away with us perfectly. He’s been just like one of us.”
Added Rodriguez, “We’ve been performing our hearts out. We’re just waiting for the night to show everyone just how hard we worked.”
Gross said that the audience will be “amazed.”
“We’re just a group of people trying to get across the message of friendship,” Gross said. “I think people are going to be in awe of what we’ve done.”
Wessely said that the production has gone far and beyond her expectations.
“The whole thing has been pretty magical, almost miraculous,” Wessely said. “The kids are just blossoming and it’s a beautiful thing to see. I think they’re even surprising themselves. People who have stopped by to see the rehearsals say that they’re stunned how well the kids are doing.”
Added Wessely, “I think it’s going to be a very special production, with special kids and Garth in the middle. I think people are going to enjoy a pleasant evening of theater, not just a high school production, because it’s a pretty good show.”
Although some tickets have been sold at $10 each, the Board of Education announced that the ticket prices have been rolled back to $5 each. Anyone who has purchased tickets at $10 will receive a refund.
The Weehawken H.S. production of “Godspell” will take place Friday and Saturday night at the school auditorium, beginning at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, contact the school at (201) 867-1774.