Stephen Schwartz's much-loved musical celebrating the life and teachings of Jesus returns to Broadway.
The Gospel according to St. Matthew, 1970s style. As Jesus taught with parables and storytelling Godspell utilizes clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville to tell the story of Christ's passion. Familiar songs include "Day by Day," "Turn Back, O Man" and "Bless the Lord."
Strongest aspect of the affair is the casting: This 'Godspell' is especially well sung. Standing out are Lindsay Mendez (on 'Bless the Lord' and elsewhere) and Telly Leung (on 'All Good Gifts'). The one big letdown comes from Hunter Parrish, the Jesus of the occasion. Parrish has an innocent smile, big blonde hair, and plenty of teeth; he doesn't look like a Ken doll, exactly, but he sings like one. Wallace Smith, as John/Judas, is marginally stronger but not up to the level of the ensemble. One of the surprising bright spots is the entr'acte reprise of 'Learn Your Lessons Well,' sung by Leung (at piano) with Mendez and Smith. Yes, there is an audience for this 'Godspell,' and perhaps they can be reached. But the strengths of the original have been so weighted down by mirthless improvements that it makes for a very long two hours.
Prepare ye the way for disappointment. Goldstein approaches it all like a Children's Television Workshop special. Maybe it's appropriate for a show so widely performed in schools, but this feels indeed like a high school production staged by the wacky new drama teacher. (Think Mr. G. on HBO's under-appreciated Summer Heights High.) Christopher Gattelli's choreography also throws a million ideas at the stage in the hope that something sticks. The strength of some of the second-act songs such as 'On the Willows' ensures that a depth of feeling does eventually coalesce. And the crucifixion is arrestingly staged, albeit with cheesy simulated slo-mo from the disciples during the finale's wailing guitar breaks. But my chief takeaway from this was the tarnishing of a treasured theater memory. Now, let's see how Jesus Christ Superstar holds up in the spring.
1971 | Off-Broadway |
Original Off-Broadway Production Off-Broadway |
1971 | Australia |
Australian Production Australia |
1972 | West End |
London Production West End |
1972 | Australia |
Australian Production Australia |
1976 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
1979 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
1981 | London Fringe |
London Revival London Fringe |
1988 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
2000 | Off-Broadway |
Off-Broadway Revival Off-Broadway |
2006 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2008 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival [Cancelled] Broadway |
2011 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
2013 | US Tour |
1st National Tour US Tour |
UK Tour |
UK Tour UK Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Anna Maria Perez de Tagle |
2012 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | Godspell |
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