Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Mar 29/99) - After the political dignitaries have all gone home and scads of visitors have hopped back on their southbound planes, the curtain will rise on what is surely one of the biggest community efforts Iqaluit has seen to date.

Called Godspell -- and coming to the stage on April 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Nakasuk school -- the event will showcase the musical and artistic talents of more than 100 of Iqaluit's residents.

"Part of it was to coincide with Easter and the community's celebration of Easter, but also to coincide with the community's celebration of Nunavut, to have a celebration for the community where community members are directly involved at every level," said Barbara Whittaker, one of the driving forces behind the musical.

Also the choir director, Whittaker said the upcoming show was based on the popular 1970s musical that originated in New York City as a way of making religion seem less intimidating to people.

Director Pierre Brault agreed with Whittaker.

"Back then, there was a real movement within Christianity to make religion more accessible," said Brault.

Iqaluit's rendition of the performance keeps to that spirit and has, therefore, incorporated much of the original score and theme of Godspell. But to deliver the messages of rebirth and renewal in a distinctly Northern way, the performance features an eight-piece band, a fiddle group and three different choirs that sing in three different languages.

"Parts of it are in Inuktitut and French and English to hopefully make it accessible to everyone," explained Whittaker.

In between the songs and musical performances, characters from the choir will act out different scenes and situations from the Bible -- many of which will relate somehow to the birth or creation of Nunavut.

"Godspell is based specifically on the New Testament. It directly involves the parables like the Good Samaritan...and the Prodigal Son," said Brault.

And because of a shortage of time, as Nunavut Day is fast approaching, Godspell organizer Beverly Browne explained that the manner in which the parables delivered their lines, both in English and Inuktitut, would stray from the original performance.

"It's sort of a pantomime with voice overs. We were running out of time to get actors acting, so we're going this route," said Browne.

All told, when the audience sits down to watch Godspell this coming weekend, they should keep in mind that it wouldn't have been possible without the incredible volunteer efforts of dozens of people.

But as Brault maintained, it was a chance for the community to celebrate itself.

"To do something so community-oriented is very exciting. You do it for the sheer excitement and joy of live theatre, which is so rare these days."

Tickets are free for the event and are available from the Bank of Montreal, the Grind & Brew and the Iqaluit courthouse.