September 25, 1998

Rocky Mount, NC -- The cast of the North Carolina Wesleyan Theatre production of "Godspell" has been announced by the director of the musical, Dr. Dick Stafford. The cast includes Rocky Mount Senior High School student Michael Bojtos in the roles of Stephen/Jesus, and Richard Wise, an NCWC student from Berryville, Va., as David/John the Baptist/Judas.

Other roles in the Wesleyan production of the 1970s Broadway musical include Rodney Jones, Andre Frazier, and Delinda Lee, all from Rocky Mount. Also, Melissa Harbach, NCWC theatre major from Herndon, Va.; Megan Briggs, a former student at Faith Ch ristian High School; Mary Frances Bush from Roanoke, Va.; Shannon Plummer, a student at Nash Community College; Jason White, an NCWC student from Chester, Pa.; Elizabeth "Sid" Grady from Birmingham, Ala., who graduated from the Birmingham School of Fine Arts and is a junior NCWC theatre major; Jamie McCalston, a student at South Nash Senior High School; Rachel Langley, a student at Nash Central Junior High; and Moquisia Brown, an NCWC student from Richmond, Va.

Musical director for the production is Hal Tyson of Rocky Mount, who is well known in the area for his work with the Tar River Orchestra and Tar River Children’s Chorus. Tyson has accompanied over a dozen musicals produced by local theatre groups.

The choreographer for the production is Andrea McCullough from New York City. McCullough has choreographed musicals on Broadway, off-Broadway, and for several motion pictures, including television shows on PBS. McCullough has received recognition for her work including a Massachusetts Drama Guild Award and Seven Community Service Awards for outstanding artist in Massachusetts. She has taught dance for the Boston Conservatory, the University of Alaska, Middlesex College in New Jersey, Dance Circle of Boston, Theatre Linz in Austria, and the New York City Street Dance organization. Her training includes work with director/choreographer Tommy Tune. She holds a degree in dance from Boston University.

The designer for the production is Michael Burnett, who is in his first year at NC Wesleyan, coming from Seven Stages in Atlanta, Ga., where he designed for, and collaborated with, internationally known theatre director Joseph Chaikin. Costumer for the musical is Ella Burnett who graduated from University of Mississippi and has a number of years’ experience in costuming and technical production.

The musical "Godspell" first appeared at the Cherry Lane Theatre in May 1971. It ran for over 2,000 performances and then enjoyed almost 600 performances on Broadway. "Godspell" provides a contemporary view of Christianity through the words of Jesus as recorded in the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Matthew. One of the most memorable songs from the production is "Day-by-Day."

The musical opens in the Dunn Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m., Thursday, October 22, continues through Saturday, October 24, and Thursday through Saturday, October 29-31. Sunday matineees will be performed at 2 p.m. on October 25 and Novem ber 1. For tickets, call the Belk Box Office at the Dunn Center at 252-985-5197.

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