Theater Reviews

Jul 7, 2007 - Nevada Rep's "Godspell" is captivating

By Jack Neal

One of John F. Kennedy's most on-target quotes comes to mind after experiencing (once again) the rock musical "Godspell," which opened last night (7/6/07) at Reno's Redfield Proscenium Theatre on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. "If it works, it's right. If it doesn't, it's wrong."

This newly burnished "Godspell" works perfectly, which makes it very right, indeed. If there's a hitch in the production, it must have been while I was watching something so entertaining I wasn't about to be bothered by any small hitches or glitches. Be not deterred - there weren't any.

Director Sue Klemp, music director Damon Stevens, choreographer Karen Donathan, scenic designer Matthew McKinney, lighting designer Michael Fernbach, costume designer Michelle Spencer Davidson, and producer Nancy Podewils have taken a page out of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, on which "Godspell's" book and lyrics are based, for a production, if not made in heaven - certainly is sent skyward by a creative staff who know theater and were inspired to bring what they know to the stage.

Bravo to all, including the show's exciting cast of ten, and the excellent band of four who give such solid musical collaboration via Alex Lacamoire's brilliant arrangement updates of Stephen Schwartz's venerable music.

That such a re-telling of the passion of Christ set in the flower-child world of the 1970s should tell its story, sing its songs, and dance its dances and not offend, but affect, is but one of the places where the Nevada Repertory Company's "Godspell" (in conjunction with Reno Little Theater and the University of Nevada, Reno's Department of Speech Communication and Theatre) triumphs.

"Godspell," with a book by John-Michael Tebelak, takes St. Matthew's Gospel and re-structures it as a continuous stream of parables and stories. The result is sketch-like, providing ample opportunity for the cast, and director, to have a field day with all kinds of shtick. In this case the "shtick" is terrific, properly harnessed, and never, never ever overplayed. Klemp and her talented cast embrace the casualness of Tebelak's script and move the show from a youngster's world of fun-and-games with Jesus, to a grasp of what St. Matthew had to say that takes on the humanistic overtones of mature love, compassion and forgiveness.

The production design steps away from the junkyard-playground scramble of the original for surgical gowns of doctors-to-be, set in a down-at-the-mouth hospital ward posing as a medical school. From the chaos of rambunctious lightheartedness, brotherhood, sisterhood and community take over. With unbridled imagination directors and cast infuse "Godspell" with humor and decency.

The cast is alive with vitality, great moves, and full-throated voices that thrill every step of the way. As Jesus, Domenic Procaccini II is simply sensational. He commands center stage much as Joel Grey always commanded center stage. His singing and dancing of the show's English-music-hall hit, "All for the Best," is a showstopper. Judas (John Simpson) joins Jesus, parlaying "All for the Best" into a song-and-dance dazzler. The vocally lovely and magnetic Michelle Snyder sings "Day by Day" as a poignant anthem of meaning - and growing. Andie Anderson's voice soars through "O, Bless the Lord, My Soul." Lauren Ashley Durant kicks Act II into high gear with a lusty and hilarious "Turn Back, O Man." And so on, except every one of this marvelous troupe has their moment in the sun that's so perfect, so right and so captivating one can't help but fall in love with each one of them. Credit also, Andrew A. Almeida, Kylie Ball, Patrick Donahue, Jen Haddix, and Zac Rogers for delivering goose bumps and memorable performances, including - with their fellow gypsies - a gripping and touching scene of crucifixion.

Five stars and two thumbs up from this corner. I loved the show. In an all too cynical world, a good production of "Godspell" - and this is a superb one - reminds one of the joys of friendship and community.

Who can ask for more?

"Godspell," part of the Reno is Artown 2007 Festival, can be seen at the Redfield Proscenium Theatre, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, July 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 (2007) at 7:30 p.m. and July 7 (2007) at 1:30 p.m. For tickets and information call 775-784-4ART, 800-225-2277, or go online at www.unr.edu/arts.