October 23 - November 16, 2025
45th Season
159th Production

Music Theater Works in association with Music Theatre International

KYLE A. DOUGAN
Producing Artistic Director

Presents
Godspell

Godspell
is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 
www.mtishows.com

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

“All I need is coffee and Jesus.” For three years, those words greeted me from a little sign on my desk at a local regional theatre—a gag gift from a colleague who knew me too well. So when Kyle suggested setting GODSPELL, a ’70s folk-rock musical based on the Gospel of Matthew, in a third-wave café, I felt like it might be in my wheelhouse. But as we’ve built our production of this pioneering piece of theatre, we’ve found both our setting and the show’s biblical bones to be tertiary influences in creating a take that feels true to our team in this time.

Our show opens on a disconnected group of people sharing a “third place.” Through a number of different influences, they carefully craft their worldview, only for it to come shattering down when they receive an invitation to a life of radical love. They learn that love, community, and the art they inspire are messy. They require sitting at tables with folks different from ourselves. They necessitate leaning into discomfort, opening ourselves up to criticism, and being willing to change our minds. Our team has learned the same in creating what you are about to see on stage. It’s been a tangled and beautiful season of life imitating art. 

I don’t always do this, but I’d like to dedicate this show to the folks who make up my community—the people who have loved me as my mind has changed and pointed me in the direction of love, who have sat with me in sadness and uncertainty, listened to the stories I wanted to tell, and trusted me enough to share their art with me. I hope this show honors them. And I hope it honors your community too, whatever it may look like. I hope you soon find yourself at a table with your favorite people, sipping something delicious, and that they see you clearly, love you dearly, and stay by your side. 

With gratitude, 
Matthew Silar

At Music Theater Works, we believe art has the power to spark connection, conversation, and change. That’s why we are thrilled to partner with Curt’s Café for this production. Together, we bring two nonprofits with shared values into one creative space—using both theater and hospitality to strengthen community.

By setting GODSPELL in a café, we celebrate what a café represents: a place where people gather, share stories, and form meaningful connections. Curt’s Café does this every day by providing young adults with support, training, and opportunities to thrive. In the same way, theater gives voice to diverse perspectives and invites us all to imagine a better, more compassionate world.

We are proud to unite with Curt’s Café in this unique retelling of GODSPELL. Thank you for joining us, your presence helps make this circle of community, creativity, and care complete. 

Kyle Dougan-LeBlanc, Producing Artistic Director

Bill Kirchmeyer and Binny’s Beverage Depot, Javier Vega at Byline Bank, The Walder Foundation,Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Amanda Billings, Jamie Lynn Thome, Ann Davis, Scott Stratton, Orlando Miranda, the staff at The Paul M. Angell Foundation, Alex Stanzione with Blackbaud Solutions, the staff, board and students of Curt’s Cafe, Dana Pearl, Steven Alessandro and Jamie Wessner, PLEASE LIST THE SINGERS FROM THE ALESSANDRO EVENT, Joe Streeto