PART THREE: Godspell the Musical Cast Q&A

Note: This Q&A is part three of a three part series featuring Lincoln High School’s production of Godspell the musical. Part One featured a review of the musical and Part Two featured Q&As with the cast members.

Lincoln High School’s performances of Godspell will be held on Friday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, November 12th at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 13th at 2:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $12.00. All seats are reserved and can be purchased online by visiting www.showtix4u.com/events/Godspell. Tickets can also be purchased at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance.

We caught up with the cast for some Q&A:

Lynden Beinhauer

Briefly Describe Your Musical character: One of Jesus’s disciples who follows him and learns from his stories and parables.

Current Grade: 11th

Been in musicals/plays since: 3rd grade

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Marta in The Sound of Music, the Ugly Duckling in Shrek, understudy of Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, Phineous Trout in Willy Wonka, and ensemble in Little Women and The Little Mermaid.

Favorite Song in this musical: All for the Best

What interested you in this role: I love the style of her song and the personality I get to portray.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: I like my paint pallet and apron that I wear when playing my philosopher.

What’s the hardest part about your role: Trying to come up with ad libs during my song.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: That no matter what has happened in your life, you’re able to turn to God and he will accept you as you are.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: The music

What is unique about this musical: That it is still fun and exciting while also being educational and inspiring. There is also a lot of audience participation.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton, I love the songs he sings. He also doubles as Lafayette and those are two of my favorite roles in the show.

What other activities are you involved in: Wildlife Leadership Academy, History Club, Paws With a Cause, Winter Sports Club and French Club.

Future plans: I want to go to college and be a P.A. Game Commission Officer.

Beth Keener

Briefly Describe Your Musical character: My character is shy during the beginning of the musical but quickly with the help of Jesus and the bible stories being told, hops out of her shell.   The character has a very strong dedication to anything she does and has a very kind and warm tone to her.

Current Grade: 11

Been in musicals/plays since: My first participation in the LHS musicals was in 5th grade during the little mermaid, Other than that I’ve been a part of the musical family since 9th grade participating in The Addams Family, Rhonald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, and most recently Godspell.

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: Alice Understudy in the Addams family, Mrs. Beauregarde in Rhonald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, and Most currently i am playing the part of the Broadway actor Uzo in Godspell.

Favorite Song in this musical: God Save the People

What interested you in this role: It is a brand new experience for me in this musical, this role interests me because it is nothing like i’ve ever done before and out of my comfort zone.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: the eazel is my favorite prop because it is one that  involves the audience as well as the cast.  It is more so the bridge that connects the cast to the audience members in the beginning of the show.

What’s the hardest part about your role:  The hardest part about my role is portraying the growth my character has within being on stage throughout the stories.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: My character has taught me to always push no matter what is going on.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I think the audience will enjoy the foolishness and craziness of the musical and also the audience involvement and the role they play in the entire show.

What is unique about this musical:  This musical is different from any other I’ve seen or been a part of before.  It is crazy and fun and “breaks the fourth wall” if you will, in other words you are involving the audience into the show and inviting them to be a part of what is going on.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: If I could be a part in any musical I would want to be Lydia or Barbra in the show Beetlejuice because not only is it a classic film from the 80s, but it is overall an amazingly written show, with both roles showing  women empowerment and character development throughout the musical.

What other activities are you involved in: I play the Glockenspiel (and other mallet percussion instruments) in the Band, I am a part of history club (president), drama club(student director), EC3, and french club(historian).

Future plans: I want to go study Biomedical Science and gain my Veterinary Doctorate through college.

Aryanna Nielsen

Briefly Describe Your Musical character: I play one of Jesus’ disciples, with my character being the first person to follow and devote themselves to Jesus. My character portrays Anna Maria from the 2012 revision of Godspell, and is overall sweet and kind hearted.

Current Grade: 9th Grade

Been in musicals/plays since: 2013

Previous leads/musicals you’ve been in: I played Charlie Bucket in the spring 2022 LHS production of Rhoad Dahl’s Willy Wonka, ensemble in the 2021 LHS production of The Addams Family, along with four shows beginning with the Little Mermaid as part of the kids’ chorus. Outside of school, I performed in my first community theater show, Bye Bye Birdie, at The Red Barn Theater over the summer.

Favorite Song in this musical: The Finale

What interested you in this role: Something that appealed to me with this role was the idea and thought behind my character in the context of Godspell. My character is the first to follow Jesus and is very symbolistic, and I thought that it was a very beautiful thing to be able to convey to others.

What is an iconic prop in the musical or favorite part of your costume: My favorite prop is the merry-go-round.

What’s the hardest part about your role: The parables that are performed in the show present one thing to the audience, but are supposed to mean something deeper and more meaningful, and conveying that to the audience can be difficult at times.

Has your character taught you anything “life changing” or that will stay with you after the show: My character has taught me how to become closer to God overall, which is a very special thing.

What do you think the audience will like about the musical: I feel that the audience will enjoy the interaction between the cast and the audience throughout the show.

What is unique about this musical: This musical is very different when it comes to the idea for the show compared to other musicals. Instead of a story being told with scene changes and different people, the set and people stay the same throughout the entire show to reveal their inner change from beginning to end.

If you could have a part in any musical … what would that musical be and why: I would love to take part in Les Misérables. I feel that the show has such a deep meaning behind it, and it would be an honor to be able to take part in the show.

What other activities are you involved in: I am involved with the LHS history club, EC Cubed, and Club Hope. Outside of school, I participate in my church choir and assist with its children’s choir.

Future plans: Once I leave high school I would like to attend college somewhere close to home, and focus my studies in the theater field.