WHAT: Godspell
WHERE: Rochester Opera House
BLURB: An All-age Musical
HIGH POINT: The VOICES!
When two audience members, with markedly different views of the Godspell script, (one a resounding nay and the other a real fan) leave a production equally entertained - that sure speaks loudly to the quality of talent on stage.
And so it is with ROH's production. It's a crackerjack collection of singers, who are equally deft at acting.
The piece, with book by John Michael Tebelak, and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz was written in the 1970s, and composed in five weeks. Its script is a collection of New Testament parables strung together with touches of humor and dashes of drama, which Director Patrick Dorow leans in on and squeezes every bit of interest from. (Smart direction all the way around, actually.)
The conceit for this production is a cast is rehearsing for an upcoming show of the piece, on a stripped down stage "anywhere."
As is tradition there are occasional tableaus and largely abstract-style vignettes, often performed in a broad mode. The breakdown - as scripted - makes for choppy segmented movement through a series of strong moral lessons. Some viewers find it moving, full of joy and acceptance, while others see it simply lacking as a theatrical piece.
This musical is heavily reliant on its large variety of tunes. Among them is the moving Day by Day, a song that made it to the top of the pop charts in its time. There are others that didn't crossover, but are equally lovely, such as the tender By My Side. There are also less inspiring tunes, which rely on stellar voices for their appeal - which, of course, we have here.
This production offers a whooping dose of the most important elements for a successful Godspell - high energy, enthusiasm, and voices.
To a person the voices are strong to outstanding, from newcomer to seasoned performer. And each brings just the right spirit to the characters, and "tribe" as a whole.
Braden Foley as Jesus just oozes good cheer and enthusiasm for life, while Christian Arnold as John the Baptist and Judas puts just the right spin on both his characters. Both also takes their songs on with ease (and delivers a great blend during All For The Best.)
Every performer stands out in turn: Heather Conti-Clark, Amanda Dane, Taylor Fish, Chelsea Hermann, Briar MacDonald, AJ Macrina, Kevin Mahaney, Samuel Tolley, Eloise Ellis and Ben Hanley.
All the solos are standouts - Dane's By My Side is at the top of the pack; its blended harmonies with Hermann, MacDonald and then full company makes for a true showstopper. Hermann's Day by Day, MacDonald's Bless the Lord, and Macrina's Light of the World are equally strong.
Mahaney nails We Beseech Thee, along with the comedic touches. MacDonald, a young performer, makes a mark with Bless the Lord and Tolley gives a memorable delivery of All Good Gifts. Finally, Dorow leads an impactful delivery of On the Willows.
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