Alvernia University will stage the musical Godspell at Francis Hall Theatre, opening Friday and running through April 19, 2026, with performances starting April 10 and supported by community members and two Broadway veterans.

The production centers on community impact, mentorship, and the fusion of university and local arts, with producers and funders calling the collaboration a model of leadership and generosity.

Directors Tim Shew and Jane Brockman bring extensive Broadway and regional credits to guide student actors and community participants through workshops and rehearsals.

The cast includes 13 Alvernia students and five community members, while the production team comprises 10 students and about 10 community participants, underscoring a strong university-community collaboration.

The project originated in late 2025 with workshops and January 2026 auditions, led by Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald and supported by local funders, including the Hawley and Myrtle Quier Fund and the Reading Musical Foundation.

The two Broadway veterans were recruited to direct, drawing on experiences from Wicked, Les Misérables, The Music Man, and more, to mentor and integrate performers from both university and community.

The musical, written by Stephen Schwartz, blends Biblical parables with hymn-based music to celebrate community and togetherness.

Jamie Brockman and Timothy Shew relocated to Hershey to lead the production, describing it as mentorship-driven and highlighting Godspell’s accessibility for a Franciscan university audience.