The production of Godspell which opened last night at the Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway has so perplexed me that I am completely changing my way of evaluating shows. Instead of a final grade to start with, I am going to assess theatrical, conceptual and performance components separately. Then I will average them together to arrive at a more comprehensive "grade," with my overall "gut feeling" about a show ultimately deciding any close calls.
So why is it that Godspell perplexed me so? Well, I can't recall a show I've seen in years that has made me feel so conflicted. Conflicted about my reaction to it - loved it while I was watching each part of it, resenting that the overall sum wasn't nearly as good as its parts. Conflicted about how much all of my senses were picking up and still not adding up - which more than once took me "out of the show" at the expense of being able to fully pay attention to other parts. Conflicted about the much discussed updates - why I think they were all viable choices which did not take away from the show at all, and yet how they really point out the weakness in the concept and performance of it. And conflicted about the fact that I am not particularly religious and yet still managed to feel offended by some of it, all while realizing the show is as innocuous as a children's Bible story book.
- The Script/Score/Revival Updates: A-
The Tower of Babel |
But let's be honest: Godspell has never really been all that much about religion, but about those nifty parables - children's stories, really - grounded by the story of the last days of Jesus Christ mostly toward the end of the show. Think of it as Jesus Christ Superstar lite. Composer Stephen Schwartz, who has had much success since he took this first stab at theatrical legitimacy, has taken his already pleasant score (including some real gems and a classic in "Day By Day") and updated it considerably. Before the score had a uniformly hippie/"love-in" feel to it - simple melodies, simply, organically orchestrated. Now, the score has been largely refinished creating a series of pastiche numbers (fear not fans, "Day By Day" and "On the Willows" remain blissfully unchanged). (I'd like to nominate Michael Holland for a Tony Award immediately - his orchestrations and vocal arrangements are superb.) The most clever, by far is "All for the Best," which very cleverly imposes George Michael's "Faith" on Judas' part. Irony? Symbolism? Both! Other musical updates aren't as crafty, but all add to, rather than detract from, the score, as they make the score as up to date as the scripture interpolations. But it also makes it Godspell lite - think Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with a bummer ending. Wisely, most of the changes are in the first act, making the considerably more serious second act grounded and very close to moving. Very close.
- The Design Elements: Lighting Design: A+, Scenic Design: A+, Costume Design: D
The Last Supper |
Set Design by David Korins |
But then there are the costumes, the one design element that has the opportunity to tell the most in this in the round setting. Designed by Miranda Hoffman, it is clear that work has been done on the costumes throughout the preview period - Jesus' costume is completely different than in any of the publicity photos, and there are differences in those of Judas and Telly, too. While I like the costume change for Jesus - he now wears a tongue-in-cheek baseball jersey, jeans and glowing florescent gym shoes - it is the costuming for the rest of the cast that is troubling. They start out in modern day professional and dress casual attire during the Tower of Babel sequence, where we hear from them as some of the world's greatest minds (Socrates and gang) signalled by their names on their brief cases, gym bags and even a pizza box. Then Jesus shows up to silence those thoughts and make us focus on his more basic teachings (I will get no more religious than this generic description) in boxers and a wife-beater t shirt. Then we see Jesus "get dressed," going through an old theatrical trunk to select his ultimate garb. That transformation is an apt one (despite how seeing him first in skivvies is disturbing) because it shows us theatricality AND a move from "real life" clothing to the garb of the anointed.
The Godspell Company |
- Choreography: A; Direction/Staging: A; Direction/Concept: D-
The Good Samaritan |
I mentioned earlier that we see Jesus transform from everyman 21st century style to storyteller/benevolent truth teller. Is the idea that being in this space, a rundown, unused theatre, a place for stripping away all of today's problems and theatrically get in touch with the basic truths of how man should treat man? I think so, considering each number is a mini play, and they all roll by like a vaudeville bill. The transformation of Jesus is the key to making this really work. But since no other character goes through this change and instead simply reappears ready for silly fun, it is jarring and a big disconnect. The bottom line is that people today just don't behave this way anymore (if we ever really did). An automatic group mentality would never happen today, just because one person says listen to me. (Those end of the world followers not withstanding.)
"Learn Your Lessons Well": Celisse Henderson |
- The Cast: B-
Uzo Aduba (left) and Hunter Parrish and Wallace Smith (right)
The group is spoiled only by the overacting, incessant mugging and complete lack of subtlety of Uzo Aduba. One of my least favorite of sayings is "[fill in the blank] takes me completely out of the show," but the truth is Ms. Aduba does just that for me several times. And the cast as individuals lacks in only two areas: Jesus and Judas. Wallace Smith as Judas makes virtually no impression on me, and except for being listed in the Playbill, I wouldn't be able to tell you what, if anything he sings. In fact, I only remember him at all because another actor refers to Mr. Smith as "Purple Rain" in pointing out his gaudy, Prince-like plum colored jacket. Most disappointing though, is Hunter Parrish, who is one of my favorites (I loved him in Spring Awakening). Here, he is a bizarre one-note entity, memorable not for a much needed charisma (wasn't Jesus charismatic?), but rather for a consistently vacuous smile and a self-righteous Mr. Rogers-esque tone that is absolutely maddening. You'd think Jesus was trying to hypnotize his believers. Parrish sings well and the calm voice thing works well in act two at the Last Supper and Crucifixion, but before that I find it hard to believe anyone would follow this man.
Each ensemble member has a song that they lead and they are all very good singers. Nick Blaemire and George Salazar do their best work as part of the group, with Blaemire being quite limber and athletic and Salazar having terrific comic chops, particularly in the "sheep vs rams" scene. Lindsay Menendez really seems to "get it" in terms of what the show is about, tempering a zany free-for-all good time girl with some terrific subtext in the serious scenes.
Anna Maria Perez deTagle and Hunter Foster |
Telly Leung plays a tune on the piano |
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle is simply a sweet little thing that has enormous stage presence and does "Day By Day" proud. Celisse Henderson reminds me of the late Nell Carter - all sass, vim and vigor. She does the song "Learn Your Lessons Well" great justice, both in terms of meaning and fun. I suppose in an ensemble heavy show it might seem unfair to single anyone out, but two of the group really stand out: Telly Leung and Julia Mattison. Mattison, who is on for an injured Morgan James, is a delightful presence throughout - from the beginning of the show when she looks appropriately awkward and embarrassed in her ridiculous costume (I loved her instantly for that) all the way to her scene stealing "Turn Back O Man" retooled to be a James Bond-ish number that allows her to hilariously vamps around the whole theatre. Remember her name. And Mr. Leung dazzles with a voice that seems sent from Heaven, a presence that many actors spend their entire careers trying to achieve, and comedic chops that are a riot - you should hear him do impressions!
- My Personal Reaction: C
(Photos by Jeremy Daniel)
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