The carnival is coming to Albert Lea.

Wednesday, July 11, 2001

The carnival is coming to Albert Lea. And it’s in the form of the Minnesota Festival Theatre production of &uot;Godspell.&uot; The play opens Wednesday at the Albert Lea Civic Theatre.

&uot;There are things in the script that are only suggestions,&uot; said Director Terry Carlson of the decision to give the musical a carnival treatment. &uot;Christ himself migrated, and that’s exactly what carnival people do. The carnival is the perfect vehicle for telling that story.&uot;

He said the carnival is a dingy place. &uot;The color and light come with the entrance of this man (Jesus),&uot; Carlson said of the musical, which depicts the telling of the book of St. Matthew in a rock/ folk setting.

&uot;It really tells the Gospel in a wonderful way. I think everybody will have a ball,&uot; the director said, adding the play is for all ages. It includes charades, puppetry, face painting and water flying. &uot;It’s a carnival.&uot;

Carlson said the theatre received a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to include three additional days of rehearsal. During that time, he said, the group got to know each other and build community. &uot;I’d throw ideas out, and they’d take them and run. People have gotten to put a lot of their own thoughts and ideas in this play.&uot;

The music in this play has become a part of the fabric of life with songs such as &uot;Prepare Ye,&uot; &uot;All Good Gifts&uot; and &uot;Day by Day.&uot;

Carlson said the cast creates a wonderful sound.

The cast includes professionals Dieter Bierbrauer as Jesus, Charles Fraser as Herb, Vanessa Gamble as Peggy, Robert Gardner as Lamar, Stacey Lindell as Gilmer, Sara Rene Martin as Robin, Tod Petersen as John, Nicole Stefonek as Sonia and Saundra Struthers as Joanna. Local actor Dana Ford also joins the cast as Jeffrey.

In particular, he said Bierbrauer has a challenging role as Jesus. &uot;He has an amazing voice and he’s just come in here and wowed me,&uot; the director said.

Tod Petersen was &uot;The Nerd&uot; in MFT’s first production of the summer. &uot;If people want to see a transformation, they should come and see him as John,&uot; Carlson said.

Struthers and Fraser were also in &uot;The Nerd.&uot; &uot;This is a chance to see people in a completely different light,&uot; he said.

The chorus includes locals Erin Budd, David Dahlquist, Gordy Handeland, Sue Jorgensen, Noah Langseth, John Mattson, Brian McKenney, Juliana Peterson, Gerrit Plantage and Lisa Sturtz, and from the Twin Cities area, Bria Lindsay and Krista Carlson.

&uot;Godspell&uot; runs July 11-15, 17-21 and 24-28. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office at 377-4371.