THE THEATER MIRROR, New England's LIVE Theater Guide
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MARQUEE | USHER | SEATS | INTERMISSION | CURTAIN |
The playground set is by Paul Perry, and the colorful costumes are by Richard Itczak. The Broadway style lighting is by Michael Clark Wonson. When the character of Judas comes through Michael has red lights show the evilness of the character so the audience realizes he is no longer John, the Baptist.Chad Moores stars as Jesus and is beautifully cast in this role. Clad in a Superman shirt, one Jesus' most powerful numbers is "Alas for You" where the words "This nation, this generation shall bear the guilt of it all! Alas, alas, alas for you! Blind fools!!" which rings true for the world today as it did back in biblical times and in the 1970's when the show was first written. His first song is "Save the People" where the cast dances around him. The Last Supper tableau and the death scene are beautifully portrayed not leaving a dry eye in the house, including mine. Jason Hair Wynn plays Jesus at alternating performances.(Hopefully I can return to catch him in this show as well as two other alternate performers Jake Robertson and Erin Beaber.) The opening Philosophers section has beautiful harmonies in it and is wonderfully performed while they sing their individual parts first and then in harmony later on. Lisa opens the show with the cast clad in navy blue warm up suits with hoods on them, also having the philosophers names on them so the audience knows who is who.
Lisa gives all her performers their moments to shine in this show. The first act is vaudevillian while the second act becomes somber after "Turn Back O Man".Todd Sandstrom as John the Baptist sings "Prepare Ye" with his powerful gospel voice as he enters through the audience. He later becomes Judas where he and Chad stop the show with the comic duet "All For the Best" done in counterpoint while the cast dances in this scene. It is a soft shoe and jazz type dance. "Day by Day" is given a lovely rendition by Angela Richardson with her powerful voice where the disciples learn how to share with one another. She also plays Socrates and sings "O Man of Athens". A fantastic group dance occurs as pretty petite spitfire Hannah Shihdanian belts out "Bless the Lord". A rousing number is "We Beseech Thee" with a dynamite dance and lead vocals by Tim McShea. The betrayal scene is stunning, too. "By My Side" is a dynamic touching duet by Stacy Whelan, a cute brunette and Nicole Vander Laan, a statuesque redhead who also sings "Learn Your Lessons Well"On the Willows is a tear jerker song by Kaley and the orchestra during the Last Supper as Jesus says goodbye to each of his disciples. My favorite song in the show,"Turn Back O Man" is a show stopper in the second act belted out by Amy Fichera, a sexy brunette. She enters through the audience and shook her boobs in my face during this song. She is hilarious as are Tom Koen who just turned 21 with many clever ad libs and Conor who plays a dumb male blond, naive bumpkin in this show. Conor's strong tenor voice soars off the charts in "All Good Gifts" while Tom sings "Light of the World" to end Act 1. "Long Live God" and "Prepare Ye" done in counterpoint is extremely poignant as Jesus is crucified on the fence. The show's ending will leave you emotionally drained at its intensity but uplifted because Jesus left us hope for the future. In these trying times who could ask for anything better for the world. So for a splendid production of Godspell, be sure to catch this version at Turtle Lane Playhouse.