FIM puts amazing new spin on musical ‘Godspell’ showing until Nov. 3 now, after closing date extended

Written by Tanya Terry, with photos courtesy of FIM

The musical “Godspell” has been around for years, but the FIM Flint Repertory Theatre is proving even modern classics can be made even more exciting by having their version of the play, which first opened officially in 1971, in a pool of water!

Michael Lluberes, director of “Godspell” and producing artistic director of Flint Repertory Theatre told the Courier part of Flint Repertory Theatre’s mission is to do both world premiere plays and musicals and bold, new takes on the classics.

Part of Lluberes’ job is to rethink American musicals and ask what will make them come alive for today.

He said the play originally came about during a movement of theatre games and improvisation, which it largely was. It was created by John-Michael Tebelak, a Carnegie Mellon University student.

“I wanted to simulate a theatrical baptism, and I just thought having it in a pool would be a really fun way to capture all the joy and playing in the show,” Lluberes added.

“Godspell” is about the formation of a community. It’s about the disciples around Jesus.

“They tell different parables through games and songs…” explained Lluberes. “The second half of the story turns into a linear narrative and tells the story of Jesus’ life from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion.”

Cy Paolantonio, choreographer of “Godspell” in a pool told the Courier the number one chart-topping song from the soundtrack of “Godspell” originally was called “Day By Day.” Paolantonio also said the music is one of the main reasons people love Godspell and it is so often produced.

“There’s so many high-energy, exciting production numbers in this show I had to find a creative way to meet them choreographically with high-energy and joyful movement and allowing the actors to really connect with the storytelling of the songs,” Paolantonio explained.

She added because the play is so eclectic it allowed her pull from a wide range of movement styles. Some of these styles include artistic swimming (formerly known as synchronized swimming), Fosse style jazz, tutting, Eastern Asian dance. balletic lifts, vaudeville, ASL and even circus!

Paolantonio’s sources of inspiration include Busby Berkeley filmmaking of the 1930s and 1940s, Esther Williams in The Million Dollar Mermaid (1952),The Muppets (particularly The Great Muppet Caper) and Metamorphosis (the 1996 play).

On the other hand, Paolantonio tries to incorporate movement styles young people are doing on TikTok today so all ages can enjoy the production.

“The actors will be splashing and singing and dancing in a pool the whole time,” Lluberes said. “Almost the whole stage is a circular pool of water.”

“I was a tour dancer for Steven Van Zandt, appearing on MTV, VH1, and BET, I have performed in an ancient fort in Bahrain, I’ve flown 40 feet in the air in The Little Mermaid, I was raised from underneath a stage, swung over an audience, and even filmed an independent film on a remote island on a boat, but this by far takes the cake,” stated Paolantonio.

“Godspell” is showing through Nov. 3 due to extending the closing date. Every performance across its four-week run has sold out. That’s never happened since Flint Rep was created in 2018.

For more information contact FIM Ticket Center box office at 810-237-7333, or, for tickets visit Tickets.thefim.org.