Mount Kisco Methodist Church Members Perform Godspell

The United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco was the perfect setting for Godspell,  a musical version of the gospel. It was performed on Friday evening by the campers of the church's Christian Arts Camp.

Toddlers to teens made up the cast, directed by Maria Colaco. Colaco not only is a professional dancer and choreographer, but the wife of the pastor, the Reverend Matt Curry. The camp's version was billed as "Godspell Jr." and an abridged version. The musical, whose original book is by John Michael Telebak, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, has many versions. Its structure involves a re-telling of Jesus and his followers through a series of carnival-like scenes and vignettes. The parables become plays within the play, and the cast frequently moves among the audience.

The week-long camp meant only a week of set and props-making as well as rehearsal for most of the campers. Only those with more lines to memorize had more lead time. Caleigh Boyer-Holt, who played Jesus, performed her lines almost flawlessly. Her enthusiasm was evident on the main stage that was the pulpit, and up above in the balcony. Equally up to the music were Coryn Porter as Judas, and fellow cast member Nastja Ferraro.

Costumes, in keeping with the street-show atmosphere, were t-shirts ranging from white to tie-dyed; performers' hair was colored pink, with many of the boys sporting faux Mohawk styles. The campers made costumes and props not only for use in the performance, but as camp craft activities. Paper hand prints, made by the campers, were used in the final scene. They were placed on the cross as symbols of the commitment of Jesus' followers.

More than entertainment, performed with enthusiasm by the 25-member cast, the performance was a means to an end, engaging children in valuable moral and religious lessons through the arts. Gone was the traditional "vacation Bible school." Curry and members of his congregation recognized that vacation and school formed an oxymoron.

Four years ago, they did away with the traditional format, and formed the arts camp. The first performance was also a version of "Godspell." Since then the campers have staged "The Wizard of Oz" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

While L. Frank Baum's "Wizard of Oz" characters are not in either the Old or New Testaments, Curry explained: "There are some larger lessons in the story." The theme of going home is like that of the Prodigal Son, who returns to his family after time away, thinking there is something better than home and family.

According to program notes, there will be a repeat performance of "Godspell" tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. The United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco is located at 200 E. Main St., at the corner with Smith Avenue. The performance is in the main sanctuary.