God on Stage? Religious Themes in Public Educational Theatre

Abstract

In January 2004, Covington High in New Orleans endured a censorsnip controversy. The drama teacher proposed that one of the school dramas for the coming year be the 1971 off-Broadway musical, Godspell, a story inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. The school's drama team performed the play at the school five years prior with little complaint. This time, however, school principal Danny Guillory decided that the play should not be performed, tjecause he received some complaints from Covington citizens who objected to the show's Christian content. He told the New Orleans Times-Picayune, When it (a production) has a religious nature, some people will see that as offensive.! Guillory macfe the decision despite the fact that previous committees approved the play and another local high school had recently performed the play. Ironically, although Godspell draws direct inspiration from the New Testament book of Matthew, it focuses upon tne teachings of Jesus instead of his miracles. For example, the play contains no healings or resurrection scene, a fact that sometimes offends Christians. In fact, librettist John-Michael Tebelek claimed he wrote Godspell as a political allegory, and he took great exception to having the two lead