Review: 'Godspell' at A Contemporary Theatre of CT

Dedicated to my Aunt Terry

Ridgefield, CT - A Contemporary Theatre of Connecticut (ACT) has opened a reimagined production of one of my all-time favorite musicals, the early work of Stephen Schwartz GODSPELL. If I had to determine which show I have seen the most times since I was old enough to remember, I am pretty sure that GODSPELL would come out on top. Perhaps because it was the first Broadway musical I ever experienced, a high school graduation gift long before I became a reviewer, it had a bit of a head start. Over the years, I have seen high school versions, a Naugatuck Teen Theatre production, community theatre takes, a production at Sacred Heart University, and an Equity production at Westchester Broadway Theatre.

I have seen the film version with and I own the Arista recording of the original Broadway cast and the movie soundtrack on vinyl, both of which I have memorized. My recent review of The Godspell Experience by Carol de Giere will give readers more insight into why I consider myself a bit of a GODSPELL snob.

So it was with a bit of trepidation that I accepted press tickets to review this reimagined version at the relatively new ACT of CT. I have gone on record that I am not a fan of the musical changes that Mr. Schwartz made for the most recent Broadway incarnation, although I must admit that they are beginning to grow on me as I hear them more on various stages. I found reassurance in the fact that the iconic composer (PIPPIN, WICKED, RAGS) serves on the board of ACT and had given his blessings to this production “conceived and directed by Daniel C. Levine, the ACT Artistic Director. (For the record, GODSPELL was conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.)

It was not that I was afraid that ACT would “ruin” the piece, because the telling of the parables and the costumes have always allowed for pop culture references and topical humor. “The Tower of Babble” comes in and out and sets have varied greatly. I guess I did not know what to expect with a “reimagined” production and therefore had avoided anything specific in the preshow press.

“You are about to meet a group of people who’ve lost their way in a sense. They see money as their God, and high-rise condos as their church. It takes a great teacher, a great source of inspiration (in this case Jesus and a group of enlightened children whose hearts have not yet been hardened) to remind them of who they are meant to be.” - ACT Artistic Director Daniel C. Levine

But I LOVED it! The completely original opening scene worked for me, the addition of ten children to the cast of eleven adults was inspired and the unique setting with religious overtones was an appropriate metaphor. The spectacular lighting and joyous onstage band only added value to THIS Godspell experience.

“See ya later, I’m going to the front of the theatre…”

GODSPELL is intended to feature a true ensemble cast and this one certainly worked together to bring the story to life, especially when the young performers were judiciously included in a scene, although they remained seated on an elevated platform across from some of the musicians throughout the two acts. The staging was immersive in that the actors used the aisles to intermingle with those seated in the front orchestra seats; some of my favorite numbers were “Light of the World,” “God Save the People,” “All For the Best” and “On the Willows” with the new lyrics. There were some great Broadway motifs (WICKED, HAMILTON, A CHORUS LINE) as well as references to The Notorious RGB, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones (I think) and the president.

The Equity actors in the cast included Trent Saunders as Jesus in his ACT debut, and Jaime Cepero (NBC’s SMASH) as Judas/John the Baptist. The remaining Equity cast members were billed as their own first names: Jacob Hoffman in his ACT debut, Katie Ladner (WICKED on Broadway,) Andrew Poston (ALTAR BOYZ at 7A,) Monica Ramirez (EVITA,) Phil Sloves (SPELLING BEE at ACT,) and Morgan Billings Smith (SPELLING BEE.) WCSU grad Shaylen Harger (COMPANY,) Alex Lugo (RENT 20th Anniversary Tour) and Emma Tattenbaum-Fine (SPELLING BEE) round out the cast.

Kudos to the children in the cast, some of whom appeared in the wonderful production of EVITA. They include: Nikki Adorante, Marley Bender, Nate Cohen, Sully Dunn, Adelaide Kellen, Colby Kipnes, Jack Rand, Amelie Simard, Caroline Smith and Dean Trevisani. Sara Brians was the show’s choreographer and the most effective set was designed by Reid Thompson in his ACT debut. Costumes by Brenda Phelps were modern and flattering; the lighting by Jack Mehler was memorable and sound design by John Salutz worked well for the space.

The talented musicians in the band included the music director/conductor Danny White, on keyboards, Miles Aubrey on electric and acoustic guitar and mandolin, Arnold Gottlieb on bass and acoustic guitar and Dennis Arcano seated below on percussion and drums. Bryan Perri (JAGGED LITTLE PILL) is the resident music supervisor.

If you have seen GODSPELL once or twice, I assure you that you will appreciate this new, updated version; if you have never had the GODSPELL experience, I highly recommend it. Get your GODSPELL tickets online at https://buff.ly/2YYb03F or call the box office at 475.215.5433

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. GODSPELL was the first Broadway musical she saw in 1977.

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