No one probably reads this, but I'll throw in my last 2 cents

As you may have gathered, Godspell '08 is officially over. It has definitely been an interesting summer. 16 people, 44 shows, 8 states, over 6.000 miles driven, over 2,000 people performed for (probably), 3 vehicles (in the end), easily 1000's of dollars spent on gas, many amazing host families, and some awesome church dinners. Added all up, it makes for one crazy, but awesome summer.

I just want to thank all our awesome host families throughout the summer. I stayed in some awesome houses, and met a lot of amazing people. It's definitely one of the things that made the summer special for me.

I would also like to thank Pual Hirschy and Troy Irick (and the entire Advancement office) for all their hard work and for coming to a lot of our shows. It was great to see a familiar face at venues that were far from home. Thanks also to Susan Stong in Maintenance for all the work getting our truck and generator and everything else that the Maintenance dept. did.

Thanks to all the people who came to our shows. Without you, we wouldn't have much.

And lastly, thanks to the cast, band. and Andrew and Dawes for an awesome summer. We definitely had our ups and downs throughout the summer, but I definitely felt like we had a real community. We had something special. (But I'm glad for the week away from you all. LOL)
Special thanks to Matthias the focus man, Bethany the scroller queen, and Phil the Socapex tamer, for being the most awesome lighting crew a crew chief could ask for. You guys did your jobs, you did them fast, and you didn't complain about it. For that, I thank you.

I really have nothing more to say. And when you have nothing to say, it's best to say nothing.

So long and thanks for all the fish,

Nathan "Cap" Capriglione

The End(?)

It hit me today. The tour is really over. I mean, I realized it last night. I knew that there were no more shows after last night's show. I even had flashbacks during Turn Back to when we first started practicing (it being the first song we learned choreography to and all), but today when I was home eating lunch with my family, I felt a little odd. Of all the people I had gotten used to seeing day in and day out during the tour, not one of them was there. It was just weird. I'll see most of them in a couple of weeks or less, but it won't be in the same setting. I'll be in the radio studio doing what I do, watching them through the window there doing what they do (which is running up and down that hallway like mad people all hours of the day and night). The only people I won't really see anymore are Kristen and Josh, who I wish the best of luck to in everything. I'll miss you guys.

The tour had its ups and downs, but it was amazing. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it is over. Theatre is a hobby for me, not a passion. I'm glad to get back to what I am passionate about, but I'll miss everyone I spent the summer with. It was a second family to me.

So Godspell ends for the third (and final?) time. I am glad I was able to take part in it.

Thanks to everyone who let me stay in there homes, to everyone who prepared meals for all of us, and to (In no special order) Matthias (I'm glad I made a Joss fan of you), Phil(even though you always tried to take inches from me in our seat :-)), Alicia (Good seed... GOOD SEED!!!), Nate (You are never going to watch that last episode are you? Your still a good guy.), Bethany (Remember when you were basically one of the guys? Good times), Andrew (I'm glad I got to serenade you before every show), Patrick H. (We both love EWJ. Nuff said), Lindsay (sooooo weird:-)), Pat I. (Might as... well ;-)), Kristen (Thank you so much for introducing me to the no voice), Peter (Your face when playing Betrayal at House on the Hill was priceless... EVERY TIME), Rebekah (Is it even possible for you to be negative? I doubt it), Reuter (Watch out for veloci-reuter), Ted (next time you climb to the summit of knowledge or drink from the well of the moon, take me along), and Josh (Someday you might be as good as me in Mario Kart. Maybe).

Thanks for the great summer everyone.
God Bless,
Eric

Hindsight

There are so many things I want to say. I just don't know how.

So, tonight we did our last show together. It's a strange feeling...having done this before, I recognize it, but cannot really place it. It's bittersweet. I'm relieved that I'll have some time to relax, but sad that our season has ended.

I am usually reflective after chapters of my life are done.

It occurs to me that we often, as a group, talked about things that frustrated us on tour. Sometimes, being with the same 15 people all summer breeds negativity. In reflecting on this, I wonder, did we lose our focus?

Despite performing a show based on scripture, it still "gets old" after a while. Despite our finest efforts to keep the show alive within our group, it's hard to keep the same energy all the time every night, every day...day in...day out.

Now, I can safely say that I have officially performed "Godspell" at least 86 times. Wow...

I know that this is rambling, but it's going somewhere, promise.

Anyway, all of this is to say that we've had our hard moments on this tour. It's inevitable...expected. But despite all of these moments...I know that our tour was a success. If anyone was ever touched by the message, laughed at a joke, or cringed at Matthias being crucified...we were used for something good. I hope that we each learned something important about ourselves and one-another.

This show is more than a silly play off the Gospel of Matthew. We've been saying that all summer...but do we really get it?

I hope that we always remember that Godspell is a place where community is formed...not of obligation, but desire...of excitement.

Godspell is a place where the line between audience and actor is blurred a little.

Godspell is a place where you choose to love, even though it is easier to hate.

Godspell is a place where you serve because a Great God served you first.

Godspell is a place where you smile genuinely and laugh often.

Godspell is a place where you can learn willingly.

And most of all, Godspell is a place where even the worst of sinners can find hope and forgiveness.

To Godspell 2008, thank you for the memories. I will cherish our bond. You mean a whole lot to me. I know that in 24 hours, I'll be going through withdrawal from not seeing you. You may not have known it, but each and every one of you gave me energy and life to make it through the last few months. Know that each of you is very special, talented, and capable of making BIG changes wherever you go.

I love you so very much.

And I love, love, love your work.

Godspeed,
Patrick

I was helping Lindsay carry some boxes to her car tonight and on the way back into my apartment I ran into Pat Harding. I gave him a big bear hug (because he won't accept any less) and I found myself wanting to cry. I quickly pushed back the tears by reminding myself that I would see him in less than two weeks. In fact, I'll see almost everyone in less than two weeks... so why the tears?

Because I know that sometime within the next few days I'm not going to wake up and see everyone looking like zombies. I'm not going to ride in a crowded bus to some random church. I'm not going to hear to Lindsay's laugh or Kristen's voices. I'm not going to bicker with Phil about setting up or bug Matthias while he is trying to work. I'm not going to listen to "Texas Ranger John McBride" or whatever that song was called and get to see Teddy do a crazy dance. I'm not going to explore a church with Eric hoping to find a TV with a DVD player (and maybe comfortable sofas) so we can watch Buffy during our down time...

There are too many memories to put into this blog...

But I will always remember the family we created, the friendships we gained, the inside jokes we stumbled upon, the hours of Mario Cart, and the stupid GPS system...

I love you all.

~Bethany~

Hitchhikers and Extraterrestrials

So this past Thursday, our bus broke down on the way to Logansport and this guy offered to help. I think his name was Angel Clare (no correlation to Thomas Hardy's fictional character). He said something was wrong with our hibbledy-bop or whatever (I know nothing of buses) and opened the hood up. Now, I'm not sure what he did, but I think he installed some sort of rocket engine on the bus, because the next thing I knew we were in a galaxy far far away. This wasn't good, for you see, we had a show to do that day, and time was of the essence since our bus had broken down as it often does. (I'm still not sure how we made it the first leg of the tour with no engine). I can't remember the name of the planet on which we landed, but we met these strange creatures with 15 mouths. It's not that I didn't like them, they were very hospitable, there was a kindly one who had us over for tea and we played bridge for awhile but we couldn't stay. The entire town of Logansport was waiting for us. So I decided That I was getting extremely bored with this preposterous story, so long story short, we were teleported there and our bus was magically fixed.
P.S. The tea was good.

This story is dedicated to the awesomely awesomest person on earth, Kylie Edmonds. She's actually so awesome, I'm not even sure she's human.


But on the serious side of things:
We have five shows left. I'll miss it. A lot. It's been a good second year.

Some things I'll remember off the top of my head (I'm not ususally one for lists, but oh well):

Awkward Spinal Tap references
brick walls
Phil's southern accent
Fubby the Fampire Fayer
Alternate lyrics to "the fox"
Making Patrick's eyes bulge when I was dressed as "Fyoon"

There's a ton more, but I really don't feel like typing a whole lot more, making up ridiculous stories wears me out.

Love
Theodoros

P.S. Notice that there's no comma after "love". That's because it's a command. LOVE ME!
I crack myself up.

New Experiences

Tour is a time for new things. Traveling new places, meeting new people, and, although you do the same show over and over again, sometimes doing new things. In my case, the new thing was fishing. A couple days ago, when we were in Lindenhurst, Josh, Phil, and I stayed with the James family. The next morning, the three of us and Mr. James got up at about 6:00 and went out into the lake on paddle boats. We cast for about 45 minutes with not much result. When we went to paddle our way back to shore, I felt a tug on my line. I was so excited! I thought I had hooked my first fish! I thought wrong. All I had hooked was our own boat. The line was tangled around the paddle and when we went back to shore it started to pull my line. My brief moment of excitement ended in disappointment. Oh well. It was still a good time and a new experience for me.

Two New Videos and more to come

Just wanted to let you guys know that i have 2 new videos up on You Tube. Check em out and watch for more to come. Please come to our final shows if you can. Thanks

www.youtube.com/mrbass06

-Andrew Edmonds

12 more shows.

hi. i have never written words before. only pictures. the tour has been good. i enjoy doing the show every night because it makes me laugh.

i am going to california after the tour is over. i have made some really amazing connections out there for my future career in acting (including getting to be an extra on the tv show ER). i am very thankful and blessed.

please pray that all of my connections follow through. and that i have the courage to be the best extra that ER has ever had. thanks.

love,
kristen

Say, do you remember?

Good afternoon, true believers! I'm so sorry for not blogging more recently. I don't think I'm the only slacker on tour, though. There's at least 15 others.

So, today we have the day off and in approximately 30 minutes from the moment I started this blog, we will be going out to dinner with the Dowden's. I love dinner. We're probably going to have to tell stories, and I don't know that I can pick out one particular story to tell anyone about yet. Hopefully one will come shortly.

Since my last blog, we've done more shows. Nothing is really sticking out at right now. I feel like everything is kind of running together at this point.

Although, we did hear some awesome jokes and see a cool Russian Tortise in Flint, MI.

And I have broken 2 bass strings. That may not sound like a lot, but before this summer, I'd never broken one before. Chambersburg and Lima, I'm sorry you had to see that.

AND WE SAW "THE DARK KNIGHT" IN IMAX! If you have not seen this movie, do yourself a favor and go watch it. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen...even outside of the comic-book genre. It was a beautiful film. The acting was superb, the cinematography was gorgeous, and the story was enthralling. GO SEE IT. NOW!

We saw Momma Owen's at Peter's school, too. And Daddy Owen's. And Brother Owen's. They're nifty.

Well, we have 13 shows left. I hope you'll come to one. If you can't, lie to me and say you will.

Love you, love your work.

PHILBLACKATTACK BLOG II

Hey Folks,

How's it going? Today is Godspell III's FIRST day off in 8 days - that's 8 days of set up, do show, tear down, travel, repeat - and although I love theater as much as the next guy, it's deliciously good to have a break. This last leg was a five-show stab into the heart of Michigan, followed by one show in Ohio and then one at Epworth Camp here in beautiful, rustic Indiana. And, I must say, it was a blast.

Apparently, Michigan shows developed something of a dark reputation last year during Gospell II. Their first show featured a load in up a 10+ stair staircase and was topped off with Jesus, played by Matthias Austin, severely spraining his ankle. Again, remember this was their FIRST SHOW. However, I am pleased to report that our streak of cursed Michigan shows has at last been broken, replaced by a streak of five shows which easily found places alongside our best ever. The last week has flown by, and I sit here today, a'swirl in a flurry of half-remembered stages, sanctuaries, faces, and handshakes.

One memory, however, will forever be burned into my memory. One of our Michigan shows was held in a church that was situated directly beside a large cornfield. As those of you who have seen the show are aware, after Jesus' death on the cross, he is carried out by the disciples. Then, in a bit of rough, theatrical magic, "Jesus" runs around to the front of the sanctuary out of view of the audience where he then pops out for the resurrection. This particular sanctuary, however, featured impressively large windows on either side of the sanctuary, meaning that if our Jesus ran around to the front by going outside, as he often does, he would effectively be SEEN running, thus shattering the moment entirely. So, as we disciples exited the back of the sanctuary this particular night, we were treated to the unorthodox site of Jesus booking it into a cornfield. Matthias ran through the corn to avoid detection. It was pretty hard not to laugh, but we had to contain ourselves, still singing into our mikes, as we were, the refrain "Prepare Ye".

Again, THANKS SO MUCH to our ludicrously hospitable host families. You guys are all amazing! Never has my belief in the goodness of humankind (in Christ, mind) been so strengthened. And thanks to all our theater goers. We appreciate you all, and hope our shows bring just a little joy!

Have a grand day!

philBlack