When St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Snellville staged Godspell, the parish hall transformed into a patchwork of joyful gospel storytelling and songs. The wise-cracking parables drew laughter, and real tears sprung from the cast and audience when Jesus, played by Nathan Jessee, wearing a Superman T-shirt, was lifted on a wooden cross.

Based on the book of Matthew, the iconic 1970s Broadway musical naturally fit St. Matt’s. The motto here: “It’s the People!” Their people are having fun, and invite everyone to join them.

As producer Beth Fisher said:

In Godspell, Jesus is teaching what fellowship is, and the joy that you derive through fellowship and community, which is through the worship of God.

Theater is wonderful because it’s outreach, fellowship, and also a fundraiser. We want the community to come visit and see that the church isn’t just all kneeling and saying the Lord’s Prayer—it’s so much bigger than that.

Light of the World: An Episcopal Connection

First staged in the counterculture era of Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair, Godspell carries a meaningful connection to The Episcopal Church. Playwright and director John-Michael Tebelak, who conceived and wrote the original musical as his master’s thesis at Carnegie-Mellon University in 1971, was an Episcopalian.

Fisher noted:

He went to an Easter service that did not leave him feeling filled with the joy of the resurrection, so he wrote the musical.

Some Godspell songs came from the Episcopal hymnal.

Tebelak later served as the dramaturge at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, where he wrote and staged liturgical drama. The cathedral hosted Tebelak’s memorial service and named a theater for him.

Godspell also plays out the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta’s mission: “We challenge ourselves and the world to love like Jesus as we worship joyfully, serve compassionately, and grow spiritually.”

All Good Gifts: Building Community and Supporting the Future

The production in late May brought together 11 cast members, including parishioners and community members, and more than 30 volunteers for crew, band, and front-of-house roles. One youngster “helped” on drums as his mom rehearsed. Across three performances, the show welcomed 290 attendees.

The musical offered a way for people to connect, worship joyfully, and support practical needs at the parish. Ticket proceeds support St. Matt’s Renew Refresh Restore Capital Campaign, which is addressing long-term capital needs such as the organ, HVAC, stained glass, and parking lot.

Godspell marks the third theatrical production at St. Matt’s, following a mystery dinner theater and a holiday production of Scrooge! The Musical. Another mystery dinner theater show, Art to Die For, is scheduled later this month.

Fisher added:

Success is getting new people into the church. I want people to not be afraid of coming to church and see that you can express yourself. If we get one or two new parishioners from a show, that’s an amazing feat.

By My Side: Cast Reflections

What was it like bringing Godspell to life? Cast members reflected on their history with the show, their connection to St. Matt’s, and how preparing for their roles shaped their faith, community, and understanding of Jesus. Unless noted, they played followers of Jesus.

Rose Kemker: “See Jesus not just as a savior, but as a friend”

Rose Kemker has been a member of St. Matthew’s for a year or two and previously performed in the parish’s production of Scrooge! The Musical. Kemker had only seen the 1973 movie adaptation of Godspell:

While preparing to perform this show with my friends, I’ve learned how accessible the Gospel can be when we come together as a community and make the effort to put it into a context that people can more easily relate to and understand. Through the lens of comedy, improvisation, skits, and song, the parables I heard growing up in my small town Baptist church came to life, and I could actually put myself in the shoes of the apostles of the past and see Jesus not just as a savior, but as a friend.

During the events of the show, our characters grow and learn together, and their shared love of Jesus brings even the most conflicting personalities together as brothers.

Rich Morris: “Here, Lord, here I am”

Rich Morris is a postulate to the priesthood who starts seminary at Candler School of Theology this fall. A member of St. Matthew’s for about ten years, he joined the cast after Beth Fisher helped him organize a parish talent show.

Godspell is a very odd convergence of work life and church life. When you are doing something like this, Jesus is asking will you be there, and to say, “Here, Lord, here I am” really stretches you, and it makes you uncomfortable all the time. And every step of the journey, you look back, it’s like, “Wow, oh yeah, that was good. I was uncomfortable doing that, but we did it. God was with me, and wow, it worked out.”

Godspell is a whole bunch of little stories put together, and it’s stories that we’ve all heard, we’ve all seen, but when it’s actually lived out in front of you, especially when they get toward the end with the Passion of the Christ, I hope people feel just a little bit of that. I hope they feel the intensity of the Passion and what it feels like.

Jada Pellebon: “Never felt left out or like a stranger”

Jada Pellebon is not a parishioner at St. Matthew’s, and learned about the production through Georgia Gwinnett College, joining the cast four weeks into rehearsals. Never having seen or heard music from Godspell before, Pellebon shared:

I felt comfortable joining the show late because doing the show aligned with everything in my life, so yeah it did feel like a sign. I was also on the fence of quitting theater as a whole, so this came right when I needed it!

It feels like everyone at St. Matthew’s knows each other, and that they have known each other for years, but I’ve never felt left out or like a stranger. They’re nice and welcoming and I’m honored to do a show with them!

Tom Penna: “A world that values reconciliation over power”

Tom Penna plays Judas and John the Baptist, and he returned to the stage for the first time since 1999. He joined St. Matthew’s in January 2024 and holds a Master of Theological Studies degree. Reflecting on playing Judas and the message of the play, Penna shared:

Specifically playing Judas, I have gotten a better sort of awareness of just how disappointed Judas was in Jesus. Just like John the Baptist, Judas was expecting Jesus to be this revolutionary, and of course Jesus was a revolutionary, but Judas I think, wanted something less ephemeral, more political.

Judas reminds me that, regardless of who’s in office, regardless of who’s in power, regardless of which Babylon it is that you live in, Christ’s call is to love people and to create with God a world that values reconciliation over power.

At the end of the day, we have to love one another in order to keep going. And Godspell, I think, is a further embodiment of that.

Heather Roca: “Jesus really does accept us as we are”

Heather Roca has attended St. Matthew’s since February 2023. She auditioned for the musical two days after watching the 1973 film for the first time. Her character is a follower of Jesus named Herb.

I’m a lot like Herb: silly, charismatic, has all the sound effects and pop culture references, will make you laugh all the time. And through this, I’ve realized that Jesus really does accept us as we are. He doesn’t expect us to become proper and dignified before we’re allowed to follow Him. He meets us where we’re at and gently guides us where we need to go.

Jesus doesn’t reject Herb for all his crazy. He welcomes him and tenderly corrects him when necessary. And at the end of the play, it’s Herb who’s ready to defend Jesus with his life.