From staff reports
The Verna Leith Sawmill Theatre will host the Reitz Theater Players with shows beginning at 8 p.m. July 13 through July 15. The public is invited to this classic retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, set in modern-day New York City.
At the behest of John the Baptist, young men and women forsake their jobs and take up the mantle of Jesus Christ becoming his disciples. Using song and dance, the apostles traverse the city, spreading Christ’s message of love and tolerance as the time moves ever closer to his betrayal at the hands of Judas (played by David Haskell) and, ultimately, his crucifixion.
Originally produced on the New York stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan and Joseph Beruh, the arrangement has updated music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, who is the creative mind behind the popular hit shows, “Wicked” and “Hamilton.”
The Sawmill Theatre will welcome several other theater companies during the 2017 season.
- The Drunkard (Knox Community Theatre) – July 19 to July 22
- Peter Pan (Brookville Community Theatre) – Aug. 4 to Aug. 6, and Aug. 10 to Aug. 12
- Leaving Iowa (Footlighters of Elk County) – Aug. 17 to Aug. 19
- Serenade on Broadway (Enchante Cabaret) – Aug. 24 to Aug. 26