Theater Review - "Godspell"

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 

Update on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at 2:37PM by .

Randy Parsons designed each costume for each actor—often going through a couple of machinations/additions/deletions before arriving at a final look.  Many of the pieces were actually built by Randy and his assistant, Teresa Matteson.  It was truly his work and not that of this very inventive company of young performers.  It’s a tribute to his work that it looked like it came from the production and from these actors. Jeffrey Sanzel

Robert J. Murphy Appointed As Superintendent Of Highways

Superintendent of Highways Robert J. Murphy The Smithtown Town Board voted unanimously Thursday evening to appoint Robert J. Murphy to fill the position of Superintendent of Highways through December 31, 2016.  Mr. Murphy has been the acting Superintendent of Highway since ex-Superintendent of Highways Glenn Jorgensen resigned in October of 2015 and plead guilty to a felony in NYS Supreme Court. 

Mr. Murphy 51, resides in Nesconset. He served under Glenn Jorgensen as Deputy Superintendent of Highway from 2012 thru October of 2015. Supervisor Vecchio, earlier this year, announced his support for Murphy citing his work during recent weather events. Thursday’s Town Board vote was 4 supporting Murphy, Councilwoman Nowick absent.

After the Thursday evening meeting Robert Murphy said he was “excited and looking forward to working with the town board and the community.”  Councilman Wherheim spoke in glowing terms about the work Murphy and the Highway Department has been doing. 

There will be an election in November to fill the remaining 12 months (Jan.-Dec 21, 2017) of former Superintendent Glenn Jorgensen’s term.

USDOJ- Former Chief Of Police James Burke Pleads Guilty

Former Suffolk County Police Chief Pleads Guilty To Civil Rights Violation And Conspiracy To Obstruct Justice

James Burke photo NY TimesEarlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York, James Burke, the former Chief of Department for the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation and conspiracy to obstruct justice.  The civil rights violation related to Burke’s assault of a Smithtown man who had been arrested for breaking into Burke’s SCPD-issued vehicle and stealing his property on December 14, 2012.  Following that assault, over almost three years, Burke and other Suffolk County law enforcement authorities took actions to obstruct the federal civil rights investigation into the assault.  Burke was arrested and arraigned on December 9, 2015, and he has been in federal custody since that date.  

The guilty plea was announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Diego Rodriguez, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI).

“The defendant violated his oath and responsibilities as a law enforcement officer by exacting personal vengeance, assaulting a handcuffed suspect, and abusing his authority as the highest ranking uniformed member of the Suffolk County Police Department.  Despite the efforts of the defendant and his co-conspirators to obstruct the federal investigation, he has been brought to justice,” stated United States Attorney Capers.  “Our investigation is ongoing, and we will seek to hold accountable anyone who violates another’s civil rights or attempts to obstruct justice.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Rodriguez stated, “An honest government, trusted by the people, is imperative to protect our freedoms.  For these reasons, combating public corruption is the top criminal priority of the FBI.  In his guilty plea today, Burke has taken responsibility for his illegal conduct.  This begins the restoration of the public’s trust in the Suffolk County Police Department’s ability to protect their Constitutional freedoms.” 

According to the indictment, court filings, and statements during today’s guilty plea proceeding, on December 14, 2012, New York State Probation Department and SCPD officers arrested probationer Christopher Loeb at his mother’s home in Smithtown, New York, for a variety of probation violations.  During the arrest and search of the Loeb residence, officers discovered a large cache of merchandise stolen from over a dozen vehicles, including an SCPD-issued SUV operated by Burke.  Among the items taken from Burke’s SUV was his gun belt, several magazines of ammunition, a box of cigars, a humidor, and a canvas bag that contained toiletries, clothing, and other items.

Burke was permitted to enter the Loeb residence and retrieve the canvas bag and several other articles, even as the search was underway.  He then drove to the SCPD’s 4th Precinct in Smithtown where detectives had begun interrogating Loeb.  Burke entered the interrogation room where Loeb was handcuffed and chained to an eyebolt fastened to the floor.  Burke then punched and kicked Loeb in the head and body. 

Subsequently, Burke and others pressured the detectives who witnessed the assault to conceal the event.  Those efforts continued even after the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office opened an investigation of the assault in 2013.  In one instance, Burke summoned detectives under his command to SCPD headquarters in Yaphank, New York, to persuade the detectives to agree to a false version of events that would conceal the assault.  In October 2013, one of those detectives testified falsely under oath in a state pretrial hearing in the Loeb prosecution, denying that Loeb had been assaulted.  

The guilty plea proceeding was held before United States District Judge Leonard D. Wexler.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Lara Treinis Gatz and John J. Durham are in charge of the prosecution, assisted by EDNY Investigator William Hessle.

The Defendant:

JAMES BURKE
Age:  51
Smithtown, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 15-CR-627 (LDW)

Who Knew What? SC Republicans Want Answers About Ex-Police Chief's Misconduct

Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey released the following statement regarding James Burke’s, former police chief, guilty plea to obstruction of justice and civil rights charges.

Lindenhurst, NY: On February 26^th, news officially broke that ex-Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke pled guilty to obstruction and civil rights charges, which stem back to an incident involving the beating of a handcuffed suspect and the subsequent cover up.  Full details regarding any plea deal which may have been entered into are still not completely clear.  While it appears that this incident will finally be put to rest with justice being the victor, the Suffolk County Republican Caucus still has questions for which it is demanding swift answers.  

Clearly highly placed elected officials showed poor judgment in recommending and appointing Burke despite serious allegations of misconduct.  Those allegations have now proven to be accurate.  The question remains how much did these elected officials really know about all of this?  Did they know about the cover up?  Did they participate in the cover up?

It is clear the Feds are not done with the investigation.  Reports state eleven Police Officers were prepared to testify against Burke and several have already pleaded guilty to participating in the beating and cover up. 

If the continuing investigation uncovers information that other elected officials had knowledge of wrongdoing or were complicit in a cover-up, immediate resignations are in order. 

While every member of the Republican Caucus has his or her own unique take on the Burke case, they are all steadfastly united behind the brave, hard working men and women that make up the Suffolk County Police Department.  We are hopeful the investigation progresses quickly and we close this dismal chapter of Suffolk County history.

Tammy Nuzzo Morgan Inducted Into LI Authors' Circle

LONG ISLAND AUTHORS’ CIRCLE INDUCTS TAMMY NUZZO MORGAN OF SOUTHAMPTON

The Long Island Authors’ Circle has announced that Southampton resident, Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan, has been received into the organization as a member in good standing.

Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan, an accomplished poet and author, is a graduate of Long Island University, and holds an MBA degree in Banking & Finance from C.W. Post, as well as an MFA degree in Creative Writing from Stony Brook University. She is currently enrolled in a Ph. D program at Union Institute and University.

Well known in Long Island literary circles, Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan has been an Adjunct Professor at the Patchogue campus of Briarcliffe College since 2009. She is also an online instructor at Union Institute and University.

Ms. Nuzzo-Morgan is the founder and president of the North Sea Poetry Scene, Inc., and among many other honors was nominated in 2011 for a Pushcart Prize for her work, “Beneath an Irish Sky,” 

Named Suffolk County Poet Laureate for 2009-2011, the newest LIAC member is the author of several poems and anthologies in a number of translations, and is the current editor of the Long Island Sounds Anthology.

The Long Island Authors’ Circle is composed of published Long Island writers, 18 or older, in nearly every genre. The group holds no formal meetings, levies no fees or dues, and elects no officers. Said spokesman novelist Jeb Ladouceur of Smithtown, “We follow no written by-laws, nor is the LIAC affiliated with any other association.”

The LIAC was established in 2015 by unanimous agreement and consent of the six existing charter members (4 women and 2 men) who hail from five different towns in both Long Island counties. New members are invited to join the group when a candidate’s application (letter and resume) are unanimously approved by these founding LIAC members. 

Published authors interested in learning more about the Authors’ Circle may contact any of the following at the addresses shown:

Pat Biancaniello                     pat@smithtownmatters.com

Richard Grudens                   celebpro4@aol.com

Charlene Knadle                    cbknadle@cbknadle.com

Jeb Ladouceur                       jebladouceur@aol.com

Elise Pearlman                       lotuselise1@aol.com

Dina Santorelli                       dina@dinasantorelli.com