The Lakewood Playhouse has been a cherished addition to the community for eighty-six years, bringing joy and laughter to thespians and theater enthusiasts alike. Numerous local theaters took a hit from the Covid-19 pandemic, losing community engagement at the box office and on the stage. The Playhouse remains, standing strong. 

“Until the audience, the board and the artists, reflect Lakewood Towne Center, we are failing our mission to build community through theater.” 

Lakewood Playhouse launched their 86th season with a refreshing take on the classic musical Godspell. With a contemporary set of eyes on the upcoming musical, Artistic Director Joseph Walsh highlights the diversity of our community with references to RuPaul’s Drag Race and inclusive casting.  

When asked about the diversity in casting, Walsh replied “Until the audience, the board and the artists, reflect Lakewood Towne Center, we are failing our mission to build community through theater.” 

Godspell is unique in that there are only three named characters with a total of ten roles in the show, allowing each individual actor to have their own take on how they want to tell their story.  

Walsh was driven to make Godspell not only an experience for the audience, but also for the actors.  

“By making everyone feel confident in being a version of themselves,” commented Walsh, “I hoped the individuality would show a building of community that felt real; instead of [just] a cute play.”  

Theater is an artform that has been around for centuries, often telling stories of unsung heroes and lost cultures. Walsh has designed their 86th season to celebrate diversity in and outside of our community, allowing a space of belonging for all people to tell a story from their own perspective.  

“It’s essential to the future of theater for us to center diversifying the voices that are presented both on stage and off,” Walsh highlighted “If we don’t change, if we don’t grow, if we don’t open our arms, if we don’t develop, theater is going to not survive.”