By Mark Ambrogi
Carmel High School senior Christian Viktrup nabbed the school’s spring musical lead role for the second consecutive year.
This time his role as Jesus in “Godspell” is even larger.
“Last year I thought ‘Big’ was a meaty role and I was on for about 15 of 16 scenes,” Viktrup said. “But now I’m on the stage for the (entire show).”
Performances of the musical will be at 7 p.m. May 12 to 14 and 2 p.m. May 14-15.
“Of all the productions, I’ve been in, this is the most difficult,” Viktrup said. “There’s a lot of different styles in it, not just rock and pop.”
John Burlace is serving as the director. Junior Sarah Biette is the student director.
“It’s a really powerful production to be a part of,” Biette said. “Each individual member has their own special aspect of the show that they bring.”
Burlace said it is a challenging production.
“The show demands that the full cast work together as one, both with their creative contributions and in their execution of (composer) Stephen Schwartz’s original work,” he said. “These kids have embraced the challenges and have gone above and beyond what we could have imagined for them, truly owning the show and bringing Schwartz’s messages of community, love, hope and understanding to the stage in a way that is electric, moving, engaging, and full of life.”
Along with Viktrup, the cast members are Eric Bembenck, Taylor Bickett, Avanlee Fisher, Savannah Fisher, Nathan Freeze, Jake Greene, Ben Heber, Olivia Jacko, Blaine McBroom, Sophie Miller, Frances Rafferty, Anja Reese, Betsy Sandifer and Emily Urbanski.
CHS also presented the musical in 1982. Five of the 12 cast members and some crewmembers from that show are returning to see the May 13 show. Retired teacher Ann Conrad, musical director for that show, and her husband Charlie plan to attend with the former students. The cast members attending are: Keari (Allen) Troutman, Sally (Stevens) Murphy, Jeff Hutson, Robbin (Thomas) Lyons, and Marcia Hafner.
For tickets, visit ticketracker.com.
