'Godspell' at Westchester Broadway Theatre - My Review

The professional production of Godspell that recently opened at Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford NY is their 190th one and it is the new version of the score that Mr. Schwartz wrote for the 2011 revival. The fast-paced show was directed and choreographed by John Fanelli with associate director/choreographer Jonathan Stahl. Mr. Stahl was a member of the ‘98 national tour of ‘Ragtime.’ William Stanley was the musical director and conductor of the fine musicians in the pit; members of the cast accompanied themselves for the act two opener reprise of “Learn Your Lessons Well.”

The directors decided to include the sometimes eliminated Prologue/Tower of Babble and had the cast wear jackets and glasses with sashes indicating which philosopher they were quoting in the cacophony. It worked nicely for me. There were references during the parables to Santa Claus, ‘The Lion King,’ and Donald Trump. There was a parachute integrated into the cute choreography at one point and the storytellers headed into the audience with flashlight “spotlights” during “Light of the World.” (I remember because I sang along when the spotlight hit me.)

CLICK HERE TO READ MY ENTIRE REVIEW ON ONSTAGE.

Before the show began, the 2015 Bob Fitzsimmons Scholarship, was awarded to Andrew Leonforte, a senior at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY.

Pictured: Members of the cast of ‘Godspell’ Photos by WBT