Godspell and Daughter

My 14 year old daughter just got a call back for her High School Play which this year is Godspell. Granted, I have never seen the play and will be on my way to the video store today to rent the movie. I know it was a hit on Broadway. I know I can't shield her from everything religious (nor would I want to). But why do I have a little gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach about this play being done in a Public High School. SO says I'm over reacting a bit and I'm open to that possibility as I do tend to be excessively strident about religion in the schools. My community does tend to be liberal but we do have our share of hard core fundies.

What do you think about plays like Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar in the schools.

I've already decided to swallow any weird feelings I have about this and suck it up so as not to suck any joy from my daughter about maybe being involved in the play.

Tell me I'm over reacting .....

But I did learn - right here on DU - that Jesus Christ Superstar is NOT a flattering portrait of Jesus or Christianity.

Overall I would prefer that public schools keep religious-themed material completely out. But as long as it can be done in a way that takes a critical eye toward the topic, it's probably a good thing.

Sounds like you are concerned - that's not overreacting.
It's blatantly a religious musical. It's based on the gospel of St Mathew. When I was in school, we actually sang a couple songs from Godspell. But that was a long time ago in a small xian town. No one gave it a second thought ('cept me). I'm surprised a public school today would do it. Oh, wait, B* was just re-elected...scratch that thought.

Read about it:
http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Lobby/4209/

However, there are a few xians that HATE Godspell:
http://www.av1611.org/crock/godspell.html

If you think your daughter won't be converted by sappy, faux, hippiesque music, this could be ignored. But I'm still surprised someone would want to produce this in a public school considering the possible legal ramifications.

Yes, it's based on Mathew, but it's presented in a carnival-type atmosphere, emphasized Jesus' purported teachings, doesn't bring him back from the dead (at least in the last production I saw), and doesn't represent a fundie point of view at all.

The music is simple -- but very effective -- folk-rock. Even though I can't stand religion, I bought the soundtrack CD of the original cast.

Unless they've changed the play in some way, I wouldn't worry about this one.

I tend to give a little more leeway when it comes to religious inspired art. Like it or not, religious faith of one kind or another has had a profound influence on art and culture.

I can listen to and appreciate certain types of gospel music without sharing the faith of the composers or performers. I can be moved by a play or movie with a religious theme even if I don't accept the religion it portrays.

I wouldn't want any public school to put too much emphasis on religious art, or make such things mandatory, but I also wouldn't want them to completely ignore that it exists.

I'd be happy for your daughter if this is what she wants. Trust that she can separate a play from reality. If the next play is Jesus Christ Superstar, or they start piping gospel music through the intercom, get pissed.

I would have the same reaction if they were doing one of the Greek dramas that involved those gods. It's an artistic expression that reflects religious influences in our culture.

--IMM

I do get very strident with Religion in Public Schools and that I think was what was driving my feelings of discomfort. You are correct, I think I do need to let it go and chalk this one up to my paranoia of fundegelical conspiracy to take over of my little town.

I have absolutely no concern that my kid will go off the deep end just by singing "Day by Day".

Thanks.

I always liked that song "Jesus Must Die". Heh.

...of blockheads in the streets,
A trick or two with lepers
And the whole town's on its feet.

What then to do about this Jesus-mania?
How do we deal with the carpenter-king?
Where do we start with a man who is bigger,
Than John was when John did his baptism thing?

We dare not leave him to his own devices,
His half-witted fans will get out of control.
But how do we stop him, his glamor increases,
By leaps every minute, he's Top Of The Polls.

Fools! You have no perception!
The stakes we are gambling are frighteningly high!
We must crush him completely,
So like John before him, this Jesus must die.
For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die.

when I was in high school (but during a summer session). I love the play. Warning, the movie version sucks.

There's some very good music in the play. As somebody else said, I'm not particularly bothered by religion-inspired art. The play was a big hit at the time - a cultural icon. I don't see anything wrong with staging it in schools. I don't see anything wrong with singing Handel's Messiah, either.