CENTRAL WYOMING COLLEGE BRINGS BROADWAY MUSICAL 'GODSPELL' TO THE STAGE OCT. 22-25
CENTRAL WYOMING COLLEGE BRINGS BROADWAY MUSICAL 'GODSPELL' TO THE STAGE OCT. 22-25
Joy, laughter and unforgettable music open CWC’s 2026-27 theatre season under the direction of Annette Benn Thornton
RIVERTON, Wyo. — Prepare ye for an unforgettable theatrical experience! Central Wyoming College invites the entire community to experience the joy, energy and inspiring music of the Broadway musical “Godspell,” opening Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Robert A. Peck Arts Center in Riverton.
Featuring a talented ensemble of CWC students and community performers, “Godspell” brings audiences together through music, laughter, storytelling and a powerful message about love, compassion and the importance of community.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, the celebrated composer behind Broadway’s “Wicked,” “Godspell” is a Grammy Award-winning musical that reimagines biblical parables through contemporary dialogue, humor and an unforgettable musical score. CWC’s production features the updated 2012 Broadway revival version, including beloved songs such as “Day by Day” and “Light of the World.”
The production also marks an exciting beginning for CWC’s new theatre instructor and director, Annette Benn Thornton, who brings decades of theatrical experience and a passion for creating opportunities for students and community members to discover the magic of live performance.
“‘Godspell’ is a beautiful reminder of what happens when people come together with open hearts, creativity and a willingness to lift one another up,” says Benn Thornton. “This cast has brought incredible energy, dedication and joy to every rehearsal. What makes this production so special is that it’s not just about the performers onstage. It’s about the connections we create with one another and with our audience. We can’t wait to share that experience with our community.”
At the heart of the production is Jeremy Swanton, who portrays Jesus, bringing warmth, humor and humanity to a character whose teachings form the foundation of the musical.
“Godspell at its core is a reflection of time and community,” says Swanton. “While the show is rooted in the gospel, its core message is really about how we treat one another. It transcends religious doctrine in that way because it speaks to a universal human experience. Anyone who has ever been on a team knows you won’t always agree or get along all the time, but working through those differences to become a family goes far beyond theater. It’s been amazing seeing that experience reflected, not just within the personal inner workings of our cast, but translating it to the world as well. It’s an honor to bring this story to Central Wyoming right now, and I hope audiences, regardless of their background or beliefs, come with an open mind and heart to connect with us in a way only live theater can do.”
Andrew Thornton takes on the dual roles of John the Baptist and Judas, two pivotal characters whose journeys help shape the musical’s emotional arc.
“For our cast, it’s been a truly meta experience to watch life imitate art,” says Thornton. “We come together, build a family through our work, and then eventually have to take those lessons and carry them forward on our separate paths. Playing dual roles like John the Baptist and Judas lets me explore both sides of that dynamic: the immense joy of building a community in the first act, and the emotional weight of watching it shift in the second. We all have to watch our belief in something evolve or change over time. The initial faith we enter with is seldom what we grow into, and this show, along with my characters’ arc, reflects that. We have to forgive even when it’s hard and love without limits. When we push through those doubts, we can transcend into hope, even if it is hard.”
The production features a lively ensemble whose personalities, voices and performances bring the parables to life. Joining Swanton and Thornton are Molly Bergin, Isabelle Anderson, Madison Mayhew, Michele Thompson, Kadie Crook, Rhiannon Neale, Pat Bergin, Qwanell Davis, Sam Tower, Matt Hartman and Jonathon Rummell.
Together, the cast creates a colorful, high-energy theatrical experience filled with memorable characters, spirited choreography, contemporary storytelling and music that audiences will be humming long after the final curtain.
For Benn Thornton, the production also represents the beginning of a new chapter for Central Wyoming College Theatre and an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the college and the community.
“Theatre has an extraordinary ability to bring people from different backgrounds and generations together,” says Benn Thornton. “Our goal is to create a welcoming place where students and community members can learn, grow, take creative risks and discover something wonderful about themselves and one another. ‘Godspell’ is the perfect way to begin that journey.”
While the musical’s first act is lighthearted and filled with comedy and music, the second act explores more mature and emotional themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
Location: Robert A. Peck Arts Center, Central Wyoming College, 2660 Peck Ave., Riverton.
Tickets are available at cwc.edu/tickets.
“Godspell” launches CWC’s 2026-27 theatre season, which continues with “The Gift of the Magi” in December, “Brighton Beach Memoirs” in March and “Matilda The Musical” in April and May.
Central Wyoming College invites everyone to celebrate the creativity, dedication and talent of its performers and experience the joy of live theatre.
Come for the music. Stay for the message. Leave inspired.