If you invited a Christian Vaudeville variety show act to perform Jesus’s teachings and parables at a Pentecostal church service held on Venice Beach, you would get Theatre Harrisburg’s “Godspell, 2012 Revised Version”—an exuberantly off-the-charts, high-energy re-telling of the Gospel of St. Matthew.
Being raised Catholic, I automatically mumble “Glory to you, O Lord” when I hear the Gospel author’s name.
But let’s also give earthly credit to John-Michael Tebelak for his original concept and directorship, to Stephen Schwartz for his music and new lyrics, to Theatre Harrisburg Director Dave Olmsted for modernizing this piece by sprinkling some sand on it. And to Music Director Ellen Carnahan for bringing an arena rock feel to the Krevsky Center, with a memorable musical score that will have you humming after you leave the theater.
Although this “Godspell” rendition is a revised version of the 1972 award-winning Broadway classic, with many updated songs, so much groovy-ness from that era remains in this rendition – especially the skit format and the boldly clashing beachwear (Sarah Murphy, costume coordinator).
Back in the 1970s, variety shows permeated cathode ray television sets, with co-hosts like “Sonny & Cher” and “Donny & Marie” and masterpieces like “Laugh-In” and “The Gong Show.” This same decade was the age of a vaudeville resurgence without calling it that. I imagine if a playwright were starting with a blank sheet of paper in the year 2012, s/he might opt for an adaptation in the form of a reality show or a sitcom dramedy, for example.
But, no matter.
The skit format makes religion go down easy because everyone is smiling, and the play is so darn fun to watch.
There are only 10 players onstage – not enough to suggest Apostles, but more the “Everyman” disciples, conveying that following Jesus is accessible to everyone, no matter who we are or how gaily we’re dressed.
With his animated delivery, Jesus (Anthony Arbiaiza) seems like a good hang. He tells jokes, he flirts a little, he brings the wine, and he rips through “Save the People” and “Alas for You” just as gently as he delivers the melancholy “Beautiful City.” His comedic soft-shoe duet with William McCarthy as John the Baptist/Judas had me laughing. McCarthy also excelled in the rousing hymn-sing, “Prepare Ye,” and the downright sad goodbye song “On the Willows.”
Jesus is passionate enough about his work to ask his followers (Gabriel Martinez Castellano, Anna Clemens, Regilynn Haywood, Bryden McCurdy, Jessica Mowery, Taye Olivia, Tim Servinsky, Marcus Weaver) to be part of his act. The storytelling is upbeat and joyous, at least until we get to the somber final events punctuating Jesus’s life. (I hope that isn’t a spoiler for you.)
The language is in the New International Version translation, which absorbs more easily in our modern ears than 1972’s King James Version.
Fortunately for the audience, this talented cast is also easy on the ears, singing better than anyone from my congregation. That is… everything but the opening number. The score starts out intentionally disjointed with the a cappella “Tower of Babble.” Executive Director Lorien Reese Mahay calls attention to the followers’ “cacophony of conflicting philosophies and isolated voices.” After this first song, “They learn to listen, to support one another, and to build something beautiful together.”
You may recognize some songs from a pew hymnal, or maybe from mainstream radio, with each follower taking turns shining.
McCurdy tenderly delivers the signature “By My Side,” tingeing it with mellow and moody folk overtones. All that’s missing from that song is a beach bonfire. She also poses as a hilarious rich woman in one of the parables.
In fine voice, Olivia delivers the poppy “Day by Day,” one of the score’s most recognizable songs. Haywood ignites the picnic table with the rousing “Bless the Lord,” starting out as a lounge act, and ending with the crescendo frenzy that is Black Church. In “We Beseech Thee,” Servinsky’s enviable vocal range drifts up and down the scales seamlessly. And the creative choreography?
Cleverly done. “Light of the Word” is another favorite, with lead vocalist Castellano rocking and funking through it. In a style reminiscent of a 1970’s singer/songwriter, Weaver croons the folksy “All Good Gifts” with an honest amount of sincerity. Mowery belts out the rollicking “Learn Your Lessons Well.” And Clemens brings light comedy and strong voice to her siren song “Turn Back, O Man.”
The Catholic in me felt a little naughty, chair-dancing along with the cast. Like most sins that drove me to the principal’s office when I attended Catholic school, mortal or venial, standing in the corner for dancing would have been worth it. And just like church, the cast is going to want to get to know you through audience participation.
If you feel led to see this cheerful, inspired cast bring you the Holy Spirit, you don’t need to follow anyone to the theater – well, anyone human, anyway.
“Godspell” runs April 24 through May 10 at Krevsky Center, 513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg. Visit https://theatreharrisburg.com/godspell/ for tickets.
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