Photo by Joan Marcus

Scott Schwartz updates his father's hit musical "Godspell."

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News

L

ike so many sons, Scott
Schwartz thinks his father's
work needs a little modern-
izing.
Unlike most sons, Schwartz can use
his own ideas to impact that work.
Two generations of creativity come
together in a new touring version of
the musical Godspell, with words and
music by Stephen Schwartz and direc-
tion by son Scott Schwartz.
The revised production, touring
since September and still exploring
human relationships and the way peo-
ple form a community around the
character of Jesus, will be performed
May 31-June 3 at the Macomb Center
for the Performing Arts.
"People who know and love the
show will get that show with humor
and improvisation to give it a very live
feel," says Schwartz, 27, who knows
suburban Detroit because of visits to
relatives of his Michigan-bred mother,
singer-actress Carole Piasecki.
"For a younger generation that's
never seen Godspell, this has really con-
temporary sounds and pop references.

"When it originally came out in
mg Only a Kingdom and Dames at Sea.
1971, the show was absolutely cutting
For radio broadcast, he directed The
edge and hip and really explored society Prisoner of Second Avenue starring
at that time. To make it as hip, com-
Richard Dreyfitss and Marsha Mason.
pelling, funny and modern [in today's
"The thing about directing is that
terms], I decided to explore how mod-
I'm ultimately responsible for the over-
ern- technology has affected our lives,
all vision of a show," says Schwartz,
working with the cast to update the
who recalls the excitement he felt as a
humor and storytelling and [asking for]
youngster going to Broadway rehearsals
re-orchestrations of a lot of the music
with his. dad. "I love working with all
to base it on contempo-
the different people —
The cast of "Godspell" designers, actors, com-
rary bands."
includes "Christians,
Schwartz, co-director of
posers, choreographers —
Catholics, lapsed
the Tony Award nominat-
and pulling it together.
Catholics, a couple of
ed musical Jane Eyre and
"Being the son of Stephen
director of the musical Bat Jews and a Buddhist," Schwartz came with many
says director •
Boy currently running in
advantages — being exposed
Scott Schwartz.
New York City, traces his
to very talented people and
theater interest to early
getting introductions. If
school plays as well as his parents. He
there is a disadvantage, its that some-
knew right away that being at the cen-
times the expectations are higher for me
ter of plays by directing them was the
than for those doing it on their own. In
course he wanted to take.
the last year, with all my projects, I'm
After directing seven shows at Harvard,
feeling that less and less."
Schwartz relocated to Manhattan to get
Schwartz credits his parents for
in the thick of professional opportuni-
teaching him to have a vision, stick by
ties. Besides New York City assign-
it and believe in himself They also
ments, such as the Off-Broadway pro-
stressed respecting, listening to and
duction of No Way to Treat a Lady, he
caring for others whether at work or
traveled to other parts of the country
in social settings. Religion was not
to guide many theater pieces, includ-
emphasized at home.

"My family did not practice organ-
ized religion," says Schwartz, whose
sister, Jessica, is a University of
Michigan graduate. "My father is from
a Jewish background, and my mother
is from a Catholic background. They
chose not to base me in any particular
faith and let me find my own way.
"Although religion was not an overt
presence in my life, certainly spiritual-
ity was something that I wondered
about, as we all do. I was not bar
mitzvahed, I'm sorry to say. I wanted
to have a bar mitzvah, but my parents
thought — I think now they're right
but at the time I was very disappoint-
ed — it would be hypocritical."
Composer Stephen Schwartz thinks
Godspell, with its emphasis on com-
munity and the commonality between
people, transcends specific religions
and likes the use of computers, closed
circuit TVs and hand-held cameras
brought into this new version.
"I didn't look over Scott's shoulder,"
the senior Schwartz says. "We discussed
his ideas, and they sounded good to me.
I went to a late run-through and had a
few notes, but I would do that with any
major tour of one of my shows."
Scott Schwartz, in a serious relationship
with an actress-director, is in rehearsals for
the musical Tick, Tick ... Boom, which
was written by the late Jonathan Larson
simultaneously with Rent. Never pro-
duced before, the piece will be introduced
Off-Broadway at a very happy and busy
time for this director.
Bat Boy, a wild comedy about a half
man-half bat creature wanting to be
accepted, received eight Drama Desk
Award nominations.
"Godspell has been part of my life
since I was born, and that exposure and
knowledge obviously gives me a differ-
ent feeling about it [as compared to
other shows]," Schwartz says. "Working
on a musical that my dad wrote ups the
pressure because I want it all to be even
more wonderful and succeed.
"It was great to be able to talk to my
dad as I was developing ideas and get
feedback on the themes and philoso-
phy, but ultimately I tried to direct it
as I would any other project. It's been
a lot of fun to do and watch." ❑

Godspell will be performed at the
Macomb Center for the
Performing Arts 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 31; 8 p.m. Friday,
June 1; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday,
June 2; and 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday,
June 3. $35 adults/$31 students
and seniors. (810) 286 - 2222.

5/25
2001

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