Prepare for Easter with 9th Hour Theatre Company’s lively rendition of a classic Broadway musical

Ilana Reimer
Special to Spur Ottawa

Ottawa’s 9th Hour Theatre Company is named after the Biblical reference to Jesus’ time of death on the cross. It seems quite appropriate, then, that their upcoming play centres on Christ’s teachings and death.

Just in time for Easter, the Company will be performing Godspell, from March 8 to 17 in the studio at Centrepointe Theatres. They have brought this ‘70s Broadway musical to life with new dialogue, live music, and an ensemble cast.

Jonathan Harris, the show’s director, says the Company uses theatre to tackle relevant social issues and join cultural conversations.

“What I’m looking for is a story that has interesting characters,” he says. “But, more so, one that says something or questions something really big—something that our entire society can question and grapple together.”

“Come in and discover and let us share the Good News with you.”

Harris chose Godspell because he liked the idea of a mainstream musical that is also explicitly about Jesus. The musical combines the parables and teachings of Jesus with music by Grammy and Academy Award winning composer Stephen Schwartz. The story explores questions of faith, community, and what we believe in a way that engages the whole family.

Because the script leaves room for improvisation, the entire cast of 13 was involved in developing new dialog during rehearsals.

Cast member Trish Cleyn says this approach creates a more authentic story by drawing out the actors’ genuine reactions to the musical’s themes.

“I like that perspective because it’s inclusive to the audience,” she says. “It’s like ‘Come in and discover and let us share the Good News with you, but not shove it down your throats.’”

“Every time we have a show, we have these rich discussions with people who otherwise might never explore Christianity or faith.”

Since its founding, in 2009, the 9th Hour Theatre Company has sought to explore questions of faith. They use theatre to dig into the nuances and complexities of the issues they raise.

“It really adds to society as another means to access faith,” says Harris. “Jesus told stories to illustrate spiritual truths. Stories have the ability to communicate lots to us without giving us the answers.”

Harris acknowledges that theatre is limited in that it does not always give the whole picture or directly convince people of a certain point of view. However, he sees it as an opportunity to present a story and ask people to participate, comment, or object. These conversations even happen within the team, itself, since most of the artists do not identify as Christian.

“Every time we have a show, we have these rich discussions with people who otherwise might never explore Christianity or faith,” Harris says. “But here they are, doing so in the context of a theatre company.”

Cast members rehearse for Godspell. Photo by Patrick Hamer.

The Company also encourages dialogue through pre- or post-performance discussions with the audience. For Godspell, they are hosting a panel discussion before six of the performances to delve deeper into the topics of forgiveness and local poverty.

“What we want to do is set up a lens for people to see the show through,” explains Alexandra Bender, the company’s Director of Community Engagement. The goal is to create an environment for people to talk, ask questions, and learn.

“I hope that this play can show the beauty of the kingdom of God and the relevance that it has for us in modern-day society, here in Ottawa, in 2018,” says Harris.

Tickets can be purchased through the box office.