Worthington Christian High School’s spring musical, directed by David O’Roark, was performed on May 7th and 8th at 7 PM, and May 9th at 2:30 PM and 7 PM. The life of Christ was retold in a southern style, portraying Jesus, His family, and His friends as modern-day Americans.“I love the fresh take it gives,” Mr. O’Roark said, “on a story that most of us have heard a hundred times or more.” He felt as if he had to do everything as excellently as possible in order to bring justice to Christ’s earthly ministry.
Mr. O’Roark was all for telling the life of Christ in a new creative way, but, as a Christian, “I don't want anyone mistreating the story of Christ,” he said. “This show tries to help us understand Jesus’ message from a place where we all can relate.”
Actress and junior Erin Szabo said that at first, she was vocal about not wanting to go through with the play, before practices even began. However, “after going through it, I realized it was really great,” Erin said. “I’ll admit it: I was wrong.”
“The amount of passion displayed amongst the cast was astounding,” senior Gabe Botkin commented. “From seniors to freshmen, we were all able to connect through the love we
had for this show.”“They really stepped up to the challenge,” Mr. O’Roark said about the actors and actresses in the play. The cast started rehearsals in early March, giving them a little over two months to put the musical together.
The cast consisted of nineteen students, and almost half of them were Worthington Christian’s current graduating seniors. Most of the cast members commented that they were very fond of having such a small group with whom to work.
“If I could have picked nineteen people,” senior Gwen Dreyer said about the cast, “I would’ve picked those nineteen.”
“Dave is brilliant,” senior Andrew Protopapas said about their director. “It was an amazing experience and a pleasure working with everyone.”
Sophomore Annie Barlow liked that the whole cast was on the stage at the same time for the majority of the play. Another sophomore, Shelby Hamrick, said, “It was pretty emotional after the last show because we all had become so close as a cast.”
The Cotton Patch Gospel is a hilarious play with a heart warming end. It’s a helpful reminder that Jesus was one-hundred percent man as well as one-hundred percent God. “The important stuff is loud and clear,” Mr. O’Roark said. “Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth, walked with men, was killed, and He rose again. Those are the parts of the story that never get old.”
