As of February 1, tickets will be officially on sale for St. Catherine’s Players’ 2026 production of Godspell, a musical that has long stood apart in the American theater canon for its collaborative spirit and open, participatory design.
First performed in the early 1970s, Godspell approaches the story of Jesus Christ through a series of parables drawn primarily from the Gospel of Matthew. Rather than following a conventional narrative arc, the musical unfolds through storytelling, humor, and play. Games, improvisational moments, and direct address are woven into the structure, creating a piece that feels conversational and shared. Its amazing score moves fluidly across musical styles— from pop to folk to vaudeville—giving each parable its own tone and rhythm.
Over the course of the musical, moments of lightness gradually lead toward deeper reflection. The work culminates in the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, offering a quiet, collective reckoning with the central messages of kindness, tolerance, and love.
That emphasis is reflected in the composition of the 2026 cast. Jacob Ruiz has been cast as Jesus, with Chris Faccenda taking on the dual role of John the Baptist and Judas. The remaining principal roles are filled by Katie Morgan, Patty Cirigliano, Joseph DeMatteo, Femi Shabiolegbe, Denise Casazzone, Brian Beadle, Tyler Panek, Abigail Lupinacci, Katie Suss, Nate Engle, and Rachel Lese. As with all productions of Godspell, these roles function within an ensemble structure, with performers working collectively to tell the story.
A defining feature of this staging is the inclusion of Youth Apostles alongside the adult cast. Jackson Blank, Sadie Reynolds, Annie Keefe, Julian DeMatteo, Sofia DeMatteo, Jackie Casazzone, Addie Lane, Avery Casazzone, Catherine Casazzone, Elena Vairo, CC Butler, and Konstantina Soterakis will appear as Youth Apostles, underscoring the musical’s intergenerational framework. The production also includes a full Adult Ensemble and Youth Ensemble, further expanding the sense of shared presence onstage.
The creative team guiding the production is led by co-directors Lauren Nicole Sherwood and Matthew Blank, who also serve as co-choreographers. Musical direction is by Zachary Kampler. The production is produced by Denise and Tom Casazzone, with support from the St. Catherine’s Players Board of Directors, whose members include Amy Adorney, Lynn Carbino, Kathy DiGiovanna, Colm McDermott, John Merrill, Father Bill Platt, Cyndy Pulick, Doug Pulick, Katie Suss, and Kelly Thompson.
The production will run February 27, 28, March 1, and March 6, 7, and 8, 2026. Performances take place Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
With tickets now available, Godspell enters its public life not as a f inished product but as an invitation—to gather, to listen, and to take part in a story that has endured precisely because it is told together.
