Godspell (Audience experience)

My experience going to see the production of Godspell was pretty amazing. We arrived at the News Journal Center where the theatre was located just short of seven ‘o clock, only to meet up with lines of people waiting for a ticket and waiting to go up the escalators into the actual theatre. I was almost surprised to see how many people were there waiting, especially since it was only a Thursday night. It made me even more excited to see what was in store and what Godspell was really about because I figured this would be a really good production since the crowd turnout was so great. I had purchased my ticket earlier that day so I was excited I didn’t need to once I was there. As I waited patiently we got there somewhat early enough to not have to be last to wait in the long lines. Finally about fifteen minutes until seven-thirty which is the specific time the show was meant to start, we were able to enter the Gillespie theatre and I was excited to see the set. I was also surprise to make out that it was a set as if it were after 911. There was debris and smoke coming from the fallen buildings.

I was excited to see what was in store as I waited patiently with my friends. We sat in the middle section more towards the middle seats to try to get the best full-on frontal view, since there were so many people and so very few seats. The theatre filled up and everyone was chatting excitedly and before you know it everyone got quiet and the show started. As the show went on and the songs were sung, during some of the more upbeat songs, I looked around and actually noticed pretty much the entire crowd was clapping to the music and dancing along with the cast!

I thought it was great on how into the show the audience was. It was cool because I knew the audience was into the show just as much as I was and they really liked what they were seeing together as a crowd. The response did surprise me but the show was so good it seemed only right for the audience to be so engaged and react the way they did. Clapping along with the actors and after the different songs is a convention and not considered rude during the exciting moments of the play as opposed to the more serious or sad songs. They came to see a performance and that was exactly what they were getting and a great one at that.

I am sure that fueled the actors to really put on a show for us just from the energy the audience was putting out. During intermission the audience was able to go up on the stage and get punch served by the actors and almost interact with them a little bit. I think that kept the crowd entertained even during a moment where the entertainment was supposed to take a break. That isn’t usual in many productions but not uncommon but I think it helped the audience stick around. After the amazing show I did indeed discuss it with my friends on what different parts I liked the best and what made me sad or laugh. We were even singing the catchy songs that were in the production on the way home and I am sure we weren’t the only ones at the end of the night. I couldn’t wait to spread the word on such a great crowd and a great show.