aktor28
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John the Baptist/Judas: Same Character or Not?Hey everyone,
I've just been cast in Godspell (rehearsals start on Sunday) and I have been told that John the Baptist and Judas will be played by two different people.
Now, from productions that I've seen and from viewing the movie, I have always thought that John and Judas were always played by the same person. Instead, the production that I am in has split the role into two.
I was just wondering what the rest of you thought of this. Will things still turn out with the same effectiveness if the role has been split? Is it really that big of a deal that two people are playing the roles?
Any comments, opinions, or feedback is greatly appreciated.
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milkywhite24601
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I've seen it both ways. Honestly, I think it's fine either way.
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MHoward
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I have seen it both ways as well. It lessens the complexity of the show; but ultimatley it is a creative call. It should be fine.
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DramaRobin2002
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It shouldn't really affect the quality of your show. Like mentioned before, it takes out some of the complexity. With John/Judas as one actor, he goes from being most trusted disciple who calls the others to betrayer.
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Tom
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I believe it is important to keep John and Judas the same actor. I find it annoying when a director thinks they know more than the author. Tebelak wrote and directed the original version with the actor doubling the roles for a reason. John is the man who brought Jesus in and Judas is the man who takes him out. John/Judas is the only character (besides Jesus) who is an adult.I believe the arc of the show is damaged by spliting the roles.
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aktor28
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Thanks for the feedback.
I have complete faith in my director that he will put on something truly great. All of your support has led me to realize that things should go just fine. I mainly think that the roles were split in order to have more actors involved.
PS: I know that John the Baptist will be singing "Prepare Ye (the way of the Lord)," but is it John or Judas that sings "All for the Best?"
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Tom
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The original vocal score says Judas sings ALL FOR THE BEST. I haven't seen a revised score. Plus the lead-in to the song (Blessed are you when men shall revile you etc) sounds more like a Jesus-Judas moment than a John-Jesus moment.
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drakesmainer
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Here's my question:
Will John the Baptist remain when Judas appears...will they both be onstage at the same time? When the part is split I prefer that both men coexist. If not it becomes confusing that John should have to leave just because Judas has arrived. Also, If they will not coexist on stage than the actor playing John gets severly shafted as technically Judas has arrived by the beatitudes...giving John only 1/2 or a bit more than 1/2 of act I
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pleasetakemewithyou
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Our production is splitting them up as well, which I think I approve of, but not because of the reasons we were given, that being that it would be too confusing for the audience to take in not only all of the symbolism that the show contains, but also this complete and utter switch of character. I thin the show will be just fine without it, so dont worry.
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Robinflamingo
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| drakesmainer wrote: | Here's my question:
Will John the Baptist remain when Judas appears...will they both be onstage at the same time? When the part is split I prefer that both men coexist. If not it becomes confusing that John should have to leave just because Judas has arrived. Also, If they will not coexist on stage than the actor playing John gets severly shafted as technically Judas has arrived by the beatitudes...giving John only 1/2 or a bit more than 1/2 of act I |
Well, Biblically, John never travels with Jesus or spends time with him, post baptism, which is why it works so well to have one person playing both...
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aktor28
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I am pretty sure that in the production I'm in, our John and Judas will be onstage just as much as the others characters.
Our first rehearsal is tonight, so I'm sure I'll have definite answers soon.
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drakesmainer
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| Robinflamingo wrote: | | drakesmainer wrote: | Here's my question:
Will John the Baptist remain when Judas appears...will they both be onstage at the same time? When the part is split I prefer that both men coexist. If not it becomes confusing that John should have to leave just because Judas has arrived. Also, If they will not coexist on stage than the actor playing John gets severly shafted as technically Judas has arrived by the beatitudes...giving John only 1/2 or a bit more than 1/2 of act I |
Well, Biblically, John never travels with Jesus or spends time with him, post baptism, which is why it works so well to have one person playing both... |
Right, I know that John dies and whatnot and so he and Jesus wouldn't make biblical sense on stage...but I think when the part is split that both men ought to be treated as disciples and have the same stage time as the other cast members. Because I have seen productions where the man playing John the Baptist just kind of slinks of stage randomly before al of the best, and next thing you know Judas has arrived. That doesn't work for me...I'm glad to hear that this production is planning to have both men onstage..I think that it is an interseting take on the show- and is certainly do-able.
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All4theBest02
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I agree with Tom's sentiment; I've done two productions of the show now, the first time playing the good John/Judas himself, and the second just a minor singer with Learn Your Lessons, and John/Judas split into two. However, the character that was "John" staid throughout the show and also sang We Beseech thee (non-traditional casting calls here). That was effective to keep him in the spotlight, he was magnificent.
However, without that extra 'oomph' of John's material, our "Judas" fell somewhat flat, and was almost a minor character compared to our John. The story, I felt became somewhat confused - like you weren't sure what was going on, or who was exactly who.
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