Open Forum

Just for clarification: would you have the female play Jesus as a male or as a female? How would the audience know you made that choice?

------------------------------
Terry Davis
Albuquerque NM
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:14
From: Terry Davis
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

Just for clarification: would you have the female play Jesus as a male or as a female? How would the audience know you made that choice?

------------------------------
Terry Davis
Albuquerque NM

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

Having a female Jesus shouldn’t be an issue. I’m currently in tech week for “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and my Jesus, Judas, and Mary are all women, as are all 12 of the apostles, and it works beautifully. The men in the show play Pilate, Herod and the Priests. It was somewhat accidental that we ended up with the theme of “The men have the titles. The women have the power.”

However, one of the reasons that it works beautifully is that we have changed no pronouns, are not doing anything with hair, costuming, or makeup to make any of them look more masculine. It was a choice that we made when we chose the show (to not alter the gender of the characters).

Additionally, the licensing for the show does not allow us to make any changes without approval. MTI was the same way when we did “Into the Woods.” I called before I cast the show to inquire about having a male play the witch and a female play Jack. They said that I could do both (I ended up doing neither because we had “audition surprises,”), but they were very specific that we could not change the gender of the characters. Jack couldn’t become Jackie and the Witch could not be a warlock. No pronouns could be changed. They were very specific.

As for community reaction, the people who will react negatively to a female Jesus are the same people who will react negatively to the choice of the show. I know I had a parent producer tell me that people weren’t going to come to our show because of the title alone and how disrespectful it “sounds,” or that there would be a “church and state” ruckus. But if people are going to react that negatively, they will most likely not even see the show.


Original Message------

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA
------------------------------

I've seen a female Jesus (played as a woman) in productions of Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. I'm personally very liberal but I live in a very conservative area in Ohio. I wasn't offended and I'm not sure if any audience members were.

------------------------------
Irene Imboden
Teacher/ Drama Director
Troy City Schools
OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:24
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:14
From: Terry Davis
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

Just for clarification: would you have the female play Jesus as a male or as a female? How would the audience know you made that choice?

------------------------------
Terry Davis
Albuquerque NM

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

Although the entire show is essentially an improv on parables, I would be careful of messing with genders. Even in a progressive community, you would most definitely have some offended Christians.

Mr. Benjamin Cossitor
Instructor of English/Drama
Altoona Area High School
1415 6th Ave
Altoona, PA 16602
(814) 327-9076
bencossitor@altoonasd.com


Original Message------

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA
------------------------------

I'm not sure you can make those alterations to the script.  I would check with the publisher/author's agent to make sure that is ok.  But if the publisher says that is ok, good to go in my opinion.

We make changes like this all the time to Shakespeare as it is royalty free, and I think those sorts of alterations and adaptations can serve to further our understanding of a work.  I know in out current work with the Tempest, it has been very interesting to have Prospera, Antonia and Gonsala in the work.

------------------------------
Michael Johnson
Trinity NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:24
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:14
From: Terry Davis
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

Just for clarification: would you have the female play Jesus as a male or as a female? How would the audience know you made that choice?

------------------------------
Terry Davis
Albuquerque NM

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

The question is, before auditions, is WHY you are casting a female. Like color-blind casting, are you leaving yourself open to giving the role to the BEST performer for that role, or are you trying to say something by casting a female? If a male performer auditions best, would he not get the part because you want a girl?

------------------------------
Roger Paolini
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2019 12:11
From: Michael Johnson
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm not sure you can make those alterations to the script.  I would check with the publisher/author's agent to make sure that is ok.  But if the publisher says that is ok, good to go in my opinion.

We make changes like this all the time to Shakespeare as it is royalty free, and I think those sorts of alterations and adaptations can serve to further our understanding of a work.  I know in out current work with the Tempest, it has been very interesting to have Prospera, Antonia and Gonsala in the work.

------------------------------
Michael Johnson
Trinity NC

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:24
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 16:14
From: Terry Davis
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

Just for clarification: would you have the female play Jesus as a male or as a female? How would the audience know you made that choice?

------------------------------
Terry Davis
Albuquerque NM

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

Hello. Two years ago I did Godspell for the second time and this time around I decided to use a female Jesus because the best person for the part was a girl. She was a very strong Christian, and just so you know I am a practicing Christian as well. Her parents were a little concerned because they are very conservative, but they were quickly won over when they saw the quality of the show and that there was nothing disrespectful about it in any way. After all, it is the words of the gospel according to Matthew and we didn’t change any of that. I did write to Stephen Schwartz and received his permission and it was a wonderful, wonderful show. After all, the whole point is to say Jesus is every man, or rather Everywoman and we should all be the hands and feet of Jesus. The only song that became a slight issue was turn back old man; we did not change the lyrics but we staged it to make it less about something seductive. If you would like to message me privately, feel free to do so and I will be happy to share with you my experience. It’s a beautiful show no matter how you slice it. My email is pmaranian@nmusd.us<mailto:pmaranian@nmusd.us>.



Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad


Original Message------

The question is, before auditions, is WHY you are casting a female. Like color-blind casting, are you leaving yourself open to giving the role to the BEST performer for that role, or are you trying to say something by casting a female? If a male performer auditions best, would he not get the part because you want a girl?

------------------------------
Roger Paolini
Buffalo NY
------------------------------

You might want to check the licensing agreement. There might be language prohibiting such a casting choice. Additionally, you’d probably need to get approval for language changes.

Also consider the change in the relationship between Jesus and Judas if Jesus were to be a woman. There would certainly be a shift in the dynamic there.
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Original Message------

She would be playing it as a female. I would change to the correct pronouns for the actress.

------------------------------
Jason Maddy
El Cajon CA
------------------------------

Hello. Two years ago I did Godspell for the second time and this time around I decided to use a female Jesus because the best person for the part was a girl. She was a very strong Christian, and just so you know I am a practicing Christian as well. Her parents were a little concerned because they are very conservative, but they were quickly won over when they saw the quality of the show and that there was nothing disrespectful about it in any way. After all, it is the words of the gospel according to Matthew and we didn’t change any of that. I did write to Stephen Schwartz and received his permission and it was a wonderful, wonderful show. After all, the whole point is to say Jesus is every man, or rather Everywoman and we should all be the hands and feet of Jesus. The only song that became a slight issue was turn back old man; we did not change the lyrics but we staged it to make it less about something seductive. If you would like to message me privately, feel free to do so and I will be happy to share with you my experience. It’s a beautiful show no matter how you slice it. My email is pmaranian@nmusd.us.



Sent from my iPad


Original Message------

You might want to check the licensing agreement. There might be language prohibiting such a casting choice. Additionally, you’d probably need to get approval for language changes.

Also consider the change in the relationship between Jesus and Judas if Jesus were to be a woman. There would certainly be a shift in the dynamic there.
--
--


Pursuant to School Board policy and administrative procedures, this
e-mail system is the property of the Greater Latrobe School District and is
to be used for official business only. In addition, all users are cautioned
that messages sent through this system are subject to the Public Records
Law of the State of Pennsylvania and also to review by the Greater Latrobe
School District. There should be no expectation of privacy.



Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this electronic
message is PRIVILEGED and confidential information intended only for the
use of the individual entity or entities named as recipient or recipients.
If the reader is not the intended recipient, be hereby notified that any
dissemination, distribution or copy of this communication is strictly
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify
me immediately by electronic mail or by telephone and permanently delete
this message from your computer system. Unless otherwise stated, opinions
expressed in this e-mail are those of the author and are not endorsed by
the Greater Latrobe School District.

When I was teaching middle school, once I got Godspell Jr approved, and after auditions, I decided to use three Jesuses.  One was female and it worked beautifully.  To my knowledge, no one complained. And ImI in North GA. 

The concept was basically a bunch of kids recreating the stories.  We did an urban/hip hop style - and the named characters had snapback hats with their names printed on it - the Jesus hat was passed from one actor to the next throughout the show - and they all three came out for the crucification (all with their hats).

------------------------------
Keith Rollins
Chatsworth GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

Original Message------

When I was teaching middle school, once I got Godspell Jr approved, and after auditions, I decided to use three Jesuses.  One was female and it worked beautifully.  To my knowledge, no one complained. And ImI in North GA. 

The concept was basically a bunch of kids recreating the stories.  We did an urban/hip hop style - and the named characters had snapback hats with their names printed on it - the Jesus hat was passed from one actor to the next throughout the show - and they all three came out for the crucification (all with their hats).

------------------------------
Keith Rollins
Chatsworth GA
------------------------------

A female Jesus in Godspell sounds like a lovely idea, and feels like it's keeping with the spirit of the show, which has always been a playground for more experimental staging concepts. There probably will be a few people who don't love the idea, but I bet they'll be 'won over' when they actually see it (and those who aren't are probably the same types who don't like the show to begin with).

------------------------------
Brooke Pierce
Co-author of the "spy musical" Sympathy Jones
www.sympathyjones.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

Hello. Two years ago I did Godspell for the second time and this time around I decided to use a female Jesus because the best person for the part was a girl. She was a very strong Christian, and just so you know I am a practicing Christian as well. Her parents were a little concerned because they are very conservative, but they were quickly won over when they saw the quality of the show and that there was nothing disrespectful about it in any way. After all, it is the words of the gospel according to Matthew and we didn't change any of that. I did write to Stephen Schwartz and received his permission and it was a wonderful, wonderful show. After all, the whole point is to say Jesus is every man, or rather Everywoman and we should all be the hands and feet of Jesus. The only song that became a slight issue was turn back old man; we did not change the lyrics but we staged it to make it less about something seductive. If you would like to message me privately, feel free to do so and I will be happy to share with you my experience. It's a beautiful show no matter how you slice it. My email is pmaranian@nmusd.us.



Sent from my iPad

------------------------------
Pauline Maranian
Costa Mesa CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-17-2019 12:34
From: Brooke Pierce
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

A female Jesus in Godspell sounds like a lovely idea, and feels like it's keeping with the spirit of the show, which has always been a playground for more experimental staging concepts. There probably will be a few people who don't love the idea, but I bet they'll be 'won over' when they actually see it (and those who aren't are probably the same types who don't like the show to begin with).

------------------------------
Brooke Pierce
Co-author of the "spy musical" Sympathy Jones
www.sympathyjones.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds. 

Original Message------

A female Jesus in Godspell sounds like a lovely idea, and feels like it's keeping with the spirit of the show, which has always been a playground for more experimental staging concepts. There probably will be a few people who don't love the idea, but I bet they'll be 'won over' when they actually see it (and those who aren't are probably the same types who don't like the show to begin with).

------------------------------
Brooke Pierce
Co-author of the "spy musical" Sympathy Jones
www.sympathyjones.com
------------------------------

I asked God and SHE said it was okay. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Whatever...it's all for the best!!!

------------------------------
Garry Tiller
Theatre Arts Teaching Artist
Sidwell Friends
Washington, DC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2019 12:17
From: Jason Maddy
Subject: Female Jesus in Godspell

I'm bouncing around ideas for next year's musical and I wanted to see if the hive mind here can help me. First, what would you think about a female jesus in Godspell? Also what repercussions might you see coming at me in a fairly conservative community if did the above casting? Please explain your response so I can gather some context. Thank you to anyone who responds.