REVIEW: ‘Godspell’ sings once more

‘Wicked’-maker Stephen Schwartz’s Christian rock classic returns to Broadway

BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

BROADWAY REVIEW

Let’s always honor “Godspell” as the highly influential 1971 musical that fixed Stephen Schwartz on the map, inspired a million folk-style religious services and still endures as Broadway’s gold standard gift to the Christian rock genre.

Yet after witnessing the exuberant 40th anniversary production of “Godspell,” which opened on Monday at Circle in the Square, where it’s likely to run for quite some time, I must confess that I don’t much care for “Godspell” in the first place.

Good though it is, this revival does not convert me otherwise. (I am more of a “Jesus Christ Superstar” kind of guy.) But plenty of “Godspell”-lovers will be thrilled to see the musical staged again so nicely.

Handsomely sung here, Schwartz’s score features plenty of agreeable, catchy songs like “Day By Day.” Originated by John-Michael Tebelek, the semi-improvisatory text in which its parables and Biblical incidents are translated into contemporary terms and references has been duly updated. Modern-day electronics, today’s cultural idols and many other pop notes infuse director Daniel Goldstein’s lively production.

This combination of mostly 1970s-style music (with some new hip-hop accents) and 2010s-referential scripting doesn’t always mix, but a high-spirited 10-member crew performs it all winningly.

Personably led by a blond, soft-voiced Hunter Parrish as the cheerful Jesus figure, this able bunch of youngsters shed their everyday attire during a splashy baptismal ritual sequence and then emerges in fanciful dress to romp enthusiastically through the show’s reverential proceedings.

Popping brightest among them, Lindsay Mendez sports laser vocals and mischievous ways, Uzo Aduba is a smoky-voiced singer and the lean, keen Wallace Smith is especially dynamic in his good-guy-bad-guy characterizations. All of the performers are convincingly spontaneous in manner, which is essential to fuelling the show’s hootenanny charm.

Christopher Gattelli’s gung-ho choreography, which includes a high-flying trampoline routine for “We Beseech Thee,” scenic designer David Korins’ well-worn wooden platform, Miranda Hoffman’s cute clothes and David Weiner’s colorful lighting contribute effective visuals to the production, which benefits from the arena circumstances of Circle in the Square.

“Godspell” continues at Circle in the Square, 1633 Broadway at 50th St., New York. Call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.godspell.com.