Review - Jesus, It's a Woman!

Though the current tenants at the Eugene O'Neil claim to be presenting "God's Favorite Musical," the new gang moving into Circle In The Square this October may have something to say about that as the first Broadway revival of Godspell gears up for a November 7th opening.

While the musical is certainly beloved for its Stephen Schwartz score, one unique feature about Godspell that has helped it achieve enormous popularity among amateur theatre groups is that in the published text, original director/conceiver John-Michael Tebelak encourages directors, designers and actors to freely update, revise and interpret the material as they like, just as long as the songs and the scripture quotes spoken by Jesus remain unchanged. So while the show is generally associated with fresh-faced youths, adventurous theatricals are given the okay to explore the universality of Godspell's message via non-traditional thinking.

That means you could have Fyvush Finkel starring as Jesus in a production set in a Jewish retirement home. I'd see that! Or keep Lombardi's gridiron set for a Godspell centered on the legendary football coach inspiring his team to spiritual greatness. Because in Godspell, I think communicating a certain essence of the man is more important than the character's physical appearance.

So why not have a woman playing Jesus? In the three decades plus that the show has been available I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time that's been done, and with the right woman involved - either playing Jesus as a woman or as a woman playing a man or as a woman who believes she is Jesus - the Broadway production could generate a lot of excitement (and yes, maybe attract a few protestors) by traveling this path.

So here, in alphabetical order, is a minyan of accomplished ladies who each could offer a unique and interesting quality to the role:

Kristin Chenoweth: Even if her devotion to her faith wasn't well known, Chenoweth's perky spunk could be absolutely charming as Jesus. She'd be like that cool Sunday school teacher that all the little kids love.

Natascia Diaz: A true musical theatre triple-threat, she could be a more iconic Jesus, similar to her take as The Spider Woman, while retaining a troubled soul, as she was as the shattered mother of a murderer in The Capeman. And why shouldn't Jesus have a sizzling dance solo?

Lady Gaga: Yes, I know... But she's trained in musical theatre and given her knack for using her worldwide popularity to spread a message of love and acceptance she's one of the few actors around who can play the role by using sense memory. And this could be the first Broadway musical to incorporate audience cell phones into the production as she fires off Twitter tweets to her fans in attendance, directing them to sing along, dance in the aisles or participate in responsive readings.

Annie Golden: She already has a cult of followers who worship her, so why not put this loveably eccentric actress' quirky appeal to good use.

Ann Harada: Can Jesus be a laugh-riot without disrespecting the role? If anyone can pull it off, I trust Ann Harada.

Cherry Jones: Can she sing? I don't know. But with her around Heaven would be a midtown penthouse and the word would be deliciously delivered as wry cocktail banter.

LaChanze: With her rapturous voice, magnetic smile and heart-tugging sincerity, who wouldn't follow her?

Patti LuPone: But only if they cast Andrew Lloyd Webber as Judas.

Phylicia Rashad - Did you see her in Gem Of The Ocean? This woman can glow on cue and it's no lighting effect. For those who like their messiahs with earth-motherly warmth and captivating inner strength.

Ann Stroker: Never heard of her? That's okay; this youthful high-belter with exuberant charisma is still at the Early Stages of her career. But she's one of the very few wheelchair-bound performers around who has acted professionally in musicals and that could certainly add an interesting dimension to the role. And she can dance. Really.

But why stop at ten? Please feel free to make your own suggestions.

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