Bergen County Players Presents Classic Rock Musical “Godspell”

(ORADELL, NJ) — Bergen County Players (BCP)one of America’s oldest small theater companies, presents the uplifting, uplifting and joyful classic rock musical divine spell. Under the direction of Lynne Lupfer, this musical sensation, the premiere of internationally acclaimed composer Stephen Schwartz, continues to touch audiences around the world with its vibrant rock score and messages of kindness, tolerance and love. Performances will take place from Friday to Sunday from March 19 to April 10.

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for divine spellas well as current Broadway hit Wicked and also contributed music and/or lyrics to Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker’s Wife, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Clothsand Children of Eden. He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on Disney’s songs. Delighted as well as animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre

Lady, among others. John-Michael Tebelak originally designed divine spell as part of his master’s thesis project at Carnegie Mellon University in 1970. All members of the original cast contributed to the playful storyline that evolved under his direction.

divine spell is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew. The parables are interspersed with music set mostly to lyrics from traditional hymns. In the show, a small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques, and heavy doses of comedy. An eclectic mix of songs including “All for the Best”, “Save the People” and of course the pop hit “Day by Day”, ranging from pop to vaudeville, is used as the story of the life of Jesus dances across the stage.

After the musical premiered in 1970, she moved to the La MaMa experimental theater club off Broadway in Manhattan’s East Village. The show was later re-recorded for an off-Broadway production, which became a long-running hit and spawned several national and international productions, including a Broadway revival in 2011. Now, just after the musical’s 50th anniversary , BCP is thrilled to bring him back. to his audience!

divine spell will be directed by Lynne Lupfer of Tenafly. Lynne’s previous directing credits at BCP include Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, The Great Ladies, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Roaring Mouseand more recently, You can’t take it with you. “divine spell is all about people with different ideas coming together to build community,” says Lynne. “Is there anything our world needs more of today? We hope our stories and songs will encourage all who come to come together in unity.

The talented cast of divine spell features Nick Nappo from Suffern, NY as Jesus, Patrick Dwyer from Ridgewood as John the Baptist/Judas, plus Diana Baer from Little Falls, Sara Den Bleyker from Rochelle Park, Matthew Blum from Hackensack, Yaritza Camarano from New Milford , Nina LaBarre of Westwood, Katie Lupfer of Tenafly, Bryan John Morris of New Milford and John Sapida of Little Ferry.

Nick made his BCP debut in divine spellwith some of his previous credits, including The Full Monty, The Tempest, Lost in Yonkers and Disgraced. Patrick also appears at the BCP for the first time, having played elsewhere in Curtains, The Music Man, how to succeed in business without really trying and Once upon a time there was a mattress. Sara has appeared elsewhere in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Top Girls and Urinevilleand Nina’s past credits include Gypsy, the wild party and Wretched. This production of Godspell marks the fifth time John has performed on the show, and he has also appeared in In the Heights, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Wedding Singer.

Yaritza has done comedies and voiceovers in the New York area.

Diana is no stranger to the BCP scene, having choreographed recent productions of Pippin, Jack and the Beanstalk, You Can’t Take It With You and The Edwin Drood Mystery. Matthew’s credits at the Little Firehouse Theater include The Murders of the 1940 Musical Cabaret and guys and dolls. Katie’s BCP onstage credits include You can’t take it with you, great ladies, the mouse that roared and The man who came to dinnerand Bryan appeared in 33 Variations, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and spamlot at the Little Firehouse Theatre.

The production team is made up of Lynne Lupfer (director/set designer), William Rich (music director), Alexis DePersia-Norelli (choreographer), Michele Roth (producer), Geri Berhain (assistant director/stage manager), Barbra Murtha (props), Allan Seward (lighting design), Jim Lesko (set construction), Tim Larsen (sound design), Jill Hendrickson (lighting operator), Barry Reed (sound ops), Lisa Dahlborg and Katie Lupfer (costumes), Yaritza Camarano and Jessica Lohsen (makeup), Teri Noel and Nick Nappo (advertising), Sara Den Bleyker (social media), Richard Frant (photography), Marci Weinstein (program notes) and James Lugo (member out framework).

Acting on its desire to ensure the safety of its members and customers, new and improved MERV filters have been installed on all HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units, as well as UV lamps on all HVAC units for help eradicate airborne pathogens. BCP will continue to follow CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines and adhere to the following protocols. All actors, theater volunteers and audience members must be fully immunized. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required of all at the entrance. Face coverings will be required in all public areas of the theater, including lobby areas, restrooms, and when seated during the performance.

TICKET AND TIMETABLE INFORMATION – All performances are held at the Little Firehouse Theater at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home of the Bergen County players since 1949. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for divine spell are $25 for all performances. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org or by calling 201-261-4200 to leave a message at the box office. Those interested in group sales or theater nights can call (201) 261-4200 (option 6) Church groups of 10 or more can use code CHURCH3BCP when ordering to receive a $3 discount per ticket !

BCP offers seats to accommodate customers with reduced mobility and that can be transferred from a wheelchair. These seats can be purchased by calling the box office at 201-261-4200 and will go on public sale two weeks prior to the performance.

Discounted advance tickets for students 25 and under with proper ID are available for $14 by phone or walk-in at each performance, subject to seat availability. There is also a $5 discount for students starting 30 minutes before curtain time for each performance. Not available online. There is a limit of one discounted ticket per student card.

A new program is now available for qualified nonprofit organizations to use a performance of each production as a fundraising event. The group will reserve all 200 seats at a greatly reduced price, then resell the tickets at the price of their choice, with the price difference being kept by the group. The available date is the Thursday of the last weekend of each show. Interested groups can email fundraising@bcplayers.org for more information.

Parking is free for their patrons at the Park Avenue municipal lot across the street half a block north of the theater, as well as street parking on Kinderkamack Road and various side streets , all within easy walking distance.

Bergen County Players, Inc. is a non-profit, non-equity community theater company dedicated to presenting quality productions for the enrichment of the community.

ALL PHOTOS BY RICHARD FRANT