Kicking off the Gilbert Theater’s 25th season, “Godspell” the musical tells the story of Jesus Christ as portrayed through the New Testament, with a few twists. 

“The (play) is about the book of Matthew and this group of people who use creative ways to tell parable stories,” said Artistic Director Matthew Overturf. The story is told through a collection of diverse tunes, dances and games, with a healthy dose of comedy. Despite its playful tone, the life of Christ is por­trayed in a reverent manner. 

“It may come off as satirical, but it’s not intended to be,” said Overturf. “The play … really does take a respectful take on the stories, but it is always done in a creative way, with a lot of creative, funny ways of telling the stories.” 

The lighthearted nature of “Godspell” emphasizes the human nature of biblical characters. “This is a show that talks about a group of people that … learned how to become a community. They learned how to love each other,” said Overturf. 

Overturf spoke of the jovial relationship portrayed between Christ and his followers: “He’s very fun … not a stoic Jesus.” More than that, the production recognizes love and grace, even in its darker themes. Overturf, who plays both Judas and John the Baptist in the production, commented on the relationship between Jesus and Judas: “Everyone thinks Judas was the great villain of history. For me, it’s finding the heart of who he is and trying to understand what his motivation might’ve been.” 

One of the most powerful aspects of the produc­tion is the way it will immediately draw viewers into the story, according to Overturf. Most of the show’s actors use their real names dur­ing the performance to encourage a real-life connection to the audience. Overturf commented on this practice: “It bridges the gap between old and new – we can still learn something from these stories.” 

Overturf emphasized the accessibility of the play, saying that anyone can relate to the plot and the characters and find some truth in the story. “We live in a world where love isn’t necessarily number one on people’s mind, and this is a show that asks how can we help people try to love other people a little better.” 

With this kind of love, “you can legiti­mately change the world a little bit,” added Overturf. The cast look forward to inviting the audience into their own lov­ing community. 

“Godspell” runs Sept. 21-Oct. 7. Tickets are $16. For more information or to order tickets, email the Gilbert Theater at boxoffice@gilberttheater.com, call 910-678-7186, or order online at https://gilberttheater.com.