BY ED COLLINS
Review Contributor
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“Godspell,” the hip Christian musical from the 1970s, opened on June 4 at the Marriott Theater in Lincolnshire delivering a joyful spiritual message from above.
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The cast is great, particularly Brian Bohr as Jesus, and Devin DeSantis as John and Judas. Tom Ryan did a great job on the set design and Music Director Ryan Nelson capably provided wonderful music such as the big hit from the show “Day by Day.”
In fact just about everything seemed to come together except for the opening few minutes which to me seemed confusing. Admittedly it took awhile to connect with the theme.
The play is a first-timer for Marriott Lincolnshire and will be here until August 10 when “On The Town” opens on August 13.
Having never seen “Godspell” before, the storyline is unlike other plays or what you might hear from the pulpit on Sunday mornings.
It’s pleasant but clearly a Christian message play. And much of the play’s dialog is presented by Jesus to his “Apostles” in trendy American “street speak.” The script, originally conceived by John-Michael Tebelak with music by Stephen Schwartz, is clearly focused on a younger crowd. But don’t expect much dancing.
Those who viewed the production in San Francisco in the early seventies told me that Jesus and his Disciples were portrayed as Haight-Ashbury hippies. It’s been updated for this production.
The opening of the two-act play was confusing. It came together for me around the middle of the first act when Lillie Cummings, a Northwestern University grad making her Marriott debut, beautifully sang “Day by Day,” clearly the top hit in the play’s list of melodic songs.
Brian Bohr, played Jesus. The blonde, good looking young actor, robed in a green T-shirt and khaki slacks, is a Northwestern University grad and no stranger to the Marriott Theater. He’s played leads in “Joseph” as Joseph, the Prince in ”Cinderella,” and appeared in several other productions here.
The supporting cast was also a talented group having racked up many theatrical credits to their names both in metro Chicago as well as Broadway.
Devin DeSantis did double duty, skillfully playing both John the Baptist and Judas, the betrayer. He is a Marriott veteran having appeared in Mary Poppins, 9 to 5, Shenandoah, and others.
The stage decorations were fabulous. Some of the best I’ve seen at Marriott. Congratulations to Tom Ryan for his stellar design, both on stage and along the walls and ceiling of the theater. Kudos also go to whomever devised the crucifixion at the conclusion of the play. It was impressively and compassionately staged.
Matt Raftery did a nice job of directing and choreographing the show. However, more dance numbers or soloists might have offset the religious monologues, but then that’s a personal judgment.
As a season ticket holder, I missed the fabulous dancing that took place in Marriott’s two previous shows “Cats” and “Cabaret.” However, if song and dance is really your cup of tea, then plan on seeing Marriott’s “On The Town” (music by Leonard Bernstein) in August.
