THEATER REVIEW “Godspell”
Produced by: Theatre Three – Port Jefferson - Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur
The 13-member cast of ‘Godspell’There are not enough superlatives to describe this rousing, tender, exciting, endearing boffo hit of a show!
Indeed, local theater aficionados who might imagine they’re in for a relaxing but stodgy homily at comfortable Theatre Three are due for the surprise of their lives. For the next four weeks – thru March 26 – thirteen wonderful young actors (and a first-rate band led by Steve McCoy) will be blowing the lid off of the vintage showplace on Port Jefferson’s Main Street. And no one should miss this pyrotechnic blast.
Those of us who have seen various versions of John Michael Tebelak’s ‘Godspell’ in various incarnations since its spoken introduction at Carnegie Mellon University in 1970 … and again in non-musical form at New York’s LaMaMa theater club (Greenwich Village) … are deeply indebted to CMU alumnus, producer Charles Haid. It was Haid whose acuity resulted in the addition of Stephen Schwartz’s music to the play in 1971 … and ultimately guaranteed its being embraced and performed around the world.
‘Godspell’ started its Broadway run at the Broadhurst Theatre in 1977 before concluding the highly successful string on the Great White Way after 530 performances. It continues to thrill audiences in virtually every corner of the globe.
One simply cannot have grown up in America without having been exposed to parables … brief stories intended to teach a lesson … and it’s these parables that ‘Godspell’ consists of. But fasten your metaphorical seatbelts Brothers and Sisters, ‘cause you ain’t never heard no parables preached like these—never!
The familiar stories are all there: ‘The Good Samaritan’ … ‘Casting the First Stone’ … ‘The Prodigal Son’ … these accounts are the familiar products of Matthew, Luke, and John (not bad material, right?). But telling the symbolic tales to the accompaniment of every musical style from chant, to rock, and even vaudeville, is where the genius of ‘Godspell’ resides. You’re going to love this potpourri, gentle reader.
As noted, there are thirteen members in this brilliant cast, and they rely upon and complement one another as do links in a chain. Of course, the forging of such an interdependent progression is where the inimitable Director Jeffrey Sanzel comes in, and though the self-effacing impresario might be the first to deny it, ‘Godspell’ bears the indelible Sanzel brand.
In this dynamic musical, Megan Bush, Jessica Contino, and Michelle Cosentino are remarkable … Elena Faverio, Andrew Gasparini, and Amanda Geraci turn in extraordinary performances … Jenna Kavaler, Bobby Montanez, and Patrick O’Brien are simply superb … and Aria Saltini, Stephen Uihlein, and Ella Watts could not have been more appealing. Need we say the indefatigable Hans Paul Hendrickson is exquisitely cast as Jesus? In short, this is an amazingly exuberant and capable bunch.
Robert W. Henderson’s lighting is jittery and annoying where such is intended … and tenderly softened when appropriate (as in the heartbreaking Crucifixion scene). The choreography of Marquez Catherine Stewart is spot-on and innovative from the first dynamic number to the upbeat finale. Stewart uses the entire theater to good effect, because the bouncy Company and packed-house patrons clearly enjoyed an amicable interaction in the aisles.
I was particularly taken by the inventive costumes. As professional reviewers, we critics generally refrain from such speculation, but throughout the show, I harbored the impression that the cast members had designed their own outfits. Why I had this constant notion, I don’t know … perhaps it was because each individual getup seemed so appropriate for the performer wearing it.
At any rate, that was not surprising, really, because everything else about this sterling production is totally charming … incredibly moving … and parenthetically … thoroughly suitable to the Lenten and Easter seasons.
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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of eleven novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His newest book, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between the late Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s website is www.JebsBooks.com
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