Bucks County Playhouse opens its season with this musical, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
By: Stuart Duncan
Godspell is 35 years old this year it opened on a warm mid-May evening in 1971 at the intimate Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village. For some reason it seems to be getting renewed interest this year. A revival just closed at the Hun School in Princeton, and there is a production at Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor this week. Even Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has announced it will open next season (in September) with the show. And Bucks County Playhouse is opening its extensive summer season with Godspell (as indeed it has every other year for more than a decade).
The folks who know these things will tell you that the show almost didn’t survive its opening night back on that warm evening in 1971. The critic for The New York Times had savaged the work, calling the premise "nauseous." Clever work by the press agents and great help from television (principally The Today Show) helped swing the tide. A revival just closed at the Hun School in Princeton, and there is a production at Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor this week. Even Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn has announced it will open next season (in September) with the show.
The revival at Bucks County Playhouse is the best in years. There are two big reasons a terrific company, about equally split between veterans and newcomers, and just the right amount of new material with laughs scattered throughout the first act. Newcomer Justin Lore is a wonderful Jesus (he has played the role in Florida) and brings a touching grace to the part.
But strong performances abound in this production: returning favorites Louis Palena, his talented sister, Jill Palena, Peter Martino and Tressa McCallister are all back. Louis sings "All Good Gifts," Jill belts out "Bless the Lord." Peter sings "We Beseech Thee" and Tressa sings "By My Side." They are joined by newcomer Lauren Brader (not unknown to audiences at Off-Broadstreet in Hopewell), who sings "Turn Back, O Man," thereby tempting any men who happen to have the good luck to be sitting on the aisle. Nathan Anderson is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and a recent refugee from the National Touring Company of Scrooge, The Musical. Johanna Lloyd, a Virginia girl, cut her musical teeth in the Rockies. And Kendra Heverlo, another graduate of AMDA, sings the show’s big hit, "Day By Day." Brad Ross, who has a strong opera background and may be remembered from last summer’s Phantom of the Opera, plays Judas.
Fundamentally, Godspell is an ensemble piece and wonderful new material helps, especially what’s tucked around the first act closing number, "Light of the World." Much of it is spoofing the TV hit American Idol.
One further thing: If you look closely at the program you will note that the show was originally produced on the New York stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan and Joseph Beruh. Lansbury is the younger brother of actress Angela Lansbury, Beruh was the company manager, now deceased, and Duncan is writing this review. I bring this up just in case you think my opinions might be a little skewed toward the positive.
Godspell continues at Bucks County Playhouse, 70 S. Main St., New Hope, Pa., through April 16. Performances: Fri. 2, 8 p.m.; Sat. 4, 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22-$24. For information, call (215) 862-2046. On the Web:www.buckscountyplayhouse.com