author: Mike Zellhofer
I have a friend who told me, “I start every day looking for heaven on earth; and when I find it, that is for what I am grateful.” Yesterday I found my heaven on earth at Govans Presbyterian Church, where the Woodbrook Players put on a fabulous performance of Godspell. This was the revised 2012 version, and the latest in the bevy of Godspells. Let me put this into perspective for you, Godspell (a static set production) opened Off-Broadway in 1971, London ‘71, Broadway ‘76, Off-Broadway ‘88, Off-Broadway 2000, 2001 US tour, 2007 UK tour, 2011 back to Broadway, 2012 another US tour. There are only so many ways that you can do this show, yet Director Jocelyn Taylor makes it her own. Taylor found a way to put her own twist on the show while paying homage to decades past. From the moment you settle into your seat, you know that you are in for a treat. The stage is fully exposed, which gives you time to study the set and imagine how some of these props will work their way into the show. The house music is just the right volume and sets the mood nicely.
The venue is small but not crowded. Small venues are where the sound gremlins like to hang out. Music Director Bryan Alston and Sound Designer Justin Camejo must have performed an exorcism the day I was there because there were no gremlins and the music was flawless. Alston conducted a pit of four musicians (Andre Cutair, Jim Grande, Avi Walter, Bonanza D Jones) as well as played keyboard. The band was never overpowering and the balance was delightful throughout. Speaking of balance, Camejo was like an Olympic gymnast behind the board the way he masterfully controlled the volume for the room.
Helping to make the tech team amazing is Lighting Designer Adele Russell. Russell is like a Swiss Army Knife for theatre. Need a director? She’s there. How about costumes, or props, or stage manager? Russell and her experience will get the job done. Today she was behind the lightboard showing off her design. The lighting was simplistic, which was perfect for this show. The colors were there when needed, especially the reds, but for the most part backed off to allow better focus as to what was happening on stage. Her team of Andrew Nickol, Elena Storey, and Doug Storey were on top of their game working their magic with the follow-spot.
Jocelyn Taylor has assembled a team that would rival the Chicago Bulls of the ‘90’s. The production staff and cast (Andrew Nickol, Sherry Peck, Adele Russell, Jocelyn Taylor, Owen DeMaio, Gage Wright, Anthony Rivera) brought Taylor’s vision to life by creating an intimate setting that was full of color. The set pieces served multiple functions which were needed due to the size of the stage. Taylor knew her space and used it well. Assistant Director Sherry Peck doubled as the Costumier and brought the show to today. I didn’t feel like I was going back in time and that was refreshing because it made me think that everything they are saying and doing is happening around me today. Her vision brought a reality to the production. Much like Taylor, the small stage was no match for Choreographer Maia Bedford. She put her stamp on Learn Your Lessons Well, Light of the World, Turn Back Oh Man, and We Beseech Thee, and the audience took notice. Bedford understood the material and gave us everything from sultry seduction to Vaudeville and we couldn’t get enough. If this is what she delivered for Godspell, I would love to see her get an opportunity to open her playbook on a larger stage. This doesn’t get mentioned much, but the front of house people need to be recognized. These are the first folks audiences have interaction with, and many times they can set the tone for the entire evening. From the moment my party entered the facility Maria Wong, and Brandon Gorin made us feel not only welcomed, but that they were glad we came. Kudos to them both and the entire hospitality staff.
John Frankenheimer said, “Casting is 65 percent of directing.” On the other hand Alfred Hitchcock said, “Really, the novelist has the best casting since he doesn’t have to cope with the actors.” Whichever camp you are in, there is no denying that the 12 people that make up this cast are tight vocally, can glide across the stage with ease, and have some of the best improv I’ve heard since The Rocky Horror Picture Show hit the big screen in 1975. It has been debated that Godspell is really just two roles and an ensemble. If you are among those that believe this (and that the earth is flat), please do not miss this show. This is a solid cast of 12 not only puts on an amazing performance, they look like they enjoy doing it and being with each other. Understand that this show would not be what it is without any one of these people. From Taylor’s stage direction to Alton’s Musical Direction this cast is solid, cohesive, consonant, (insert synonym here), and not to be missed.
Everything was enjoyable and carried out with near flawless precision. Here is the beautiful cast of Godspell (as listed in the program: Owen DeMaio (Jesus), Gage Wright (John the Baptist, Judas), Anne Marie Jasinski, Kaira Ogbue, MaryGrace Ruebens, Anthony Rivera, Rayna Arias, Mikael Dagnatchew, Kimberly Vogel, Sam Fonss, Aiden Griffin (As Themselves).
The Gospel of Mark, upon which Godspell is based, was written between 65-70 AD. I’m sure those stories have been told countless times over the last 1,961 years. Come hear them like you’ve never heard them before. Come see them come to life as only this cast can do. You have one weekend left to experience this lustrous cast. I beseech thee, see them!
Running Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes with a brief intermission
Godspell plays through June 21st 2026 with the Woodbrook Players at Govans Presbyterian Church— 5828 York Road in Townson, MD. Tickets are available in advance online.
