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Church creating 'beautiful city'

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: November 7, 2009

WESLEY CHAPEL - The 20/20 Drama Team at Victorious Life Church has been busy preparing its version of "Godspell," a musical that has been popular on and off Broadway for years.

The first of three performances is at 7 p.m. Friday at the large church on Old Pasco Road.

Bryan D'Onofrio, drama pastor at Victorious Life for almost six years, has been in high school and college productions of the musical and has wanted to try it at the church for several years.

"The timing was never quite right," he said. "The first time I played it for the drama team they didn't like the music so much, but I told them they had to listen to it and just trust me. What 'Godspell' does in a nutshell is it builds a beautiful city of joy, hope and love.

"That's one of the songs, 'Beautiful City,' about not losing hope and hanging in there, and together we can build a city of joy, hope and love."

The musical is based on the book of Matthew and "the parables of Jesus Christ coming to life," D'Onofrio said. "It goes through Christ's life from baptism through the resurrection. There are a lot of songs and tons of dialogue, and 16 actors on stage. We bring it all to life."

The drama team, including 14 volunteers, has been practicing since September 1. "Godspell" is one of two major productions the drama team will perform this year. The other was "Eternity Suites," a play about the choices people have to make.

"I've always loved 'Godspell,'" said D'Onofrio, one of two church staff members involved in the production. "The other 14 people are volunteers on our drama team. They've all been with us for about six years. The team is for people 18 and over."

CHRISTIAN MUSICAL

WHAT: "Godspell," a popular musical that imparts parables outlined in the book of Matthew
WHERE: Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel
WHEN: Show times are 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday.

COST: $10 for evening performances, $7 for Saturday's matinee

TICKETS: For ticket information, call Victorious Life Church at (813) 973-2230 and ask for Angela Shiver.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 731-1239.

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