The Loyola theater department is gearing up for their newest production, a new rendition of “Godspell.”

The play is a musical based on a series of parables from the Gospel of Matthew with a pop culture foundation.

The production is in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the play.

“Godspell” is a rock musical featuring modern music set to lyrics from traditional hymns.

According to director and theater professor Patrick Gendusa, however, Loyola’s production of “Godspell” will put a new spin on the traditional play.

“We’re setting Godspell in 2011. We’re doing a completely contemporary version and we’ve taken out everything that’s been normally done…we’ve removed all the clowns, the comedia, a lot of the silliness, and we’re trying to make it much more real and contemporary to reach our audiences of today,” Gendusa said.

Cast member Charlotte Voelkel, theater arts junior, said she is enthusiastic about Gendusa’s interpretation of the play.

“I did Godspell in 8th grade back at home in Covington, La., so this has been such a great experience because we’re doing it from a whole different point of view and just a new fresh way, and it’s really exciting,” she said.

Theater business senior Katie Peters, stage manager for “Godspell,” said that Loyola’s unique approach to theater students is what makes productions such as “Godspell” so interesting.

“There are no grad students here so you do it all yourself. We take the whole department and we make something that’s our own,” she said.

Theater department chairwoman Georgia Gresham is serving as the artistic director.

“Godspell” is a part of Loyola’s Fine Arts Montage Series.

Shannon Donaldson can be reached at [email protected]