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| THE GOSPEL WITH A BAD CASE OF ADHD: The hyperactive cast of 'Godspell' performs 'Light of the World.' Photo: Jeremy Daniel |
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Theater
Review
Godspell revival: Lord, give them a Valium
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GODSPELL
Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak
Music & new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Daniel Goldstein
Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli
Open run
Circle In The Square Theatre
1633
Broadway at 50th Street
(212-239-6200), www.Godspell.com
Click here to download the review
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By David NouNou
Since subtlety and nuances are not two of the commandments necessary on Broadway and good acting is not always a necessity, wouldn't casting "American Idol" cast-offs in the parts have been a more original and better idea than the bland cast that is currently assembled in Godspell? At least with that idea, there would have been people we could have associated with and recognized.
As originally conceived by John-Michael Tebelak in 1971, Godspell was a sweet and likable Off-Broadway musical that ran over 2,000 performances because of its innocent nature and an antidote to the more garish and then-vulgar-looking brethren playing on Broadway's Jesus Christ Superstar. Godspell was a rock musical based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, with Jesus as a folk hero with innocent wonder in a stylized re-enactment of his life and death. Godspell is essentially a Passion play with a modern twist, and it is perhaps best known for its smash-hit song, "Day By Day."
The original score by Stephen Schwartz was a delight because it was simple and uncluttered. Now mixed with hip-hop, rap and every conceivable 21st century musical genre, it has been diluted to an unrecognizable mash-up. Granted, the original book had a hippie tone to it, but now every contemporary reference has been thrown in, whether they make sense or not. From Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Heidi Klum and Lindsey Lohan, all the way to iPhones and trampolines, everything is tossed into this hodgepodge mix. In its desperate attempt to be "hip and with-it," it has lost any charm and likability it once had.
In an ill-conceived attempt to make the show contemporary, Daniel Goldstein, the director, has filled the musical with any imaginable shtick to make the audience like it and feel an affinity to it. One would expect this from a college production or community theater (where Godspell has been performed to death for decades). Whatever happened to the adage of less is more? This is definitely one of the parables that Mr. Goldstein missed here.
Published November 10, 2011
Reviewed at press performance on November 9, 2011
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