Worship for Westport Community Theatre's Godspell

The Westport Community Theatre’s production of Godspell, the musical, continues to receive praise from audiences of all ages and from OnStage critic, Noah Golden. The show, which has performances on weekends through Sunday, June 26, is directed by Maggie Pangrazio and produced by Sam Mink.

Golden thought, “Godspell may just be the quintessential community theater show,” and went on to show a true appreciation for the sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz. Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Godspell boasts a string of well-loved songs. "Day by Day" from the original cast album, reached #13 on the Billboard singles chart in 1972. Conceived and originally directed by John Michael Tebelak, Godspell is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time.

Golden paid homage to the cast: “…the apostles really shine when they step forward to claim a solo. Jessica Paige Braun brought an infectious presence, wide vocal range and beautiful, tightly coiled vibrato to ‘O Bless The Lord My Soul.’ Other vocal highlights were courtesy of Juan Ayala, whose assured, sensitive ‘All Good Gifts’ really soared, and ‘Turn Back O Man’s’ spirited Betzabeth Castro, who would make a killer Nina if Westport Community Theater ever mounts ‘In The Heights.’ It was Katherine Logan, though, that my eyes kept gravitating towards whether she was leading the standout ‘By My Side’ in a pristine soprano or adding a needed dose of authentic vulnerability or joy in the parable sketches. Her light shone very bright. They were joined by multitalented apostles Rob Pawlikowski, Rosalind Cormier, Dena Lagonigro, Emily Beers and Caitlin Brown.”

In conclusion, Golden commented, “It is a real pleasure to watch a group such as this build, as one song puts it, a beautiful city together so visibly on stage. Between its strikingly diverse cast and friendly atmosphere that pervaded the theater, it’s clear Westport Community Theater does well in honoring the community part of its name and has built quite a few beautiful cities over its astonishing 60 year run.”

The Westport cast consists of: Juan Ayala, Emily Beers, Jessica Braun, Caitlin Brown, Tyler Campbell, Betzabeth Castro, Rosalind Cormier, Dena Lagonigro, Katherine Logan, Rob Pawlikowski, and Bill Warncke.

Performances are through June 26, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays and June 16 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $28, $26 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at westportcommunitytheatre.com or by calling (203) 226-1983. The Westport Community Theatre is located at the Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Avenue.

Pictured left to right: Juan Ayala, Emily Beers, Jessica Braun (standing), Rosalind Cormier (seated in foreground), Rob Pawlikowski and Dena Lagonigro.