BWW Reviews: GODSPELL at Olney Theatre Center is Pure Joy

This is no doubt composer Stephen Schwartz' season in the Baltimore/Washington area. In December his huge hit PIPPIN played DC and will journey to Baltimore's Hippodrome June 23 to 28 while the megahit WICKED will be returning once again at the Hippodrome playing April 1 to April 26. And currently playing at the Olney Theatre Center, beginning its 77th season, is his hit musical GODSPELL.

Olney Artistic Director Jason Loewith spoke on opening night announcing this is his second anniversary at the Olney Theatre Center and he should be proud of the offerings he has presented, especially this family friendly musical with some memorable Broadway melodies. And what a year he has in store. There are three musicals on the agenda which include GUYS AND DOLLS, CAROUSEL (which Loewith stated he has wanted to direct his whole life) and the Mel Brooks' blockbuster, THE PRODUCERS.

Originally produced Off-Broadway in 1971, GODSPELL was recently restaged on Broadway in 2011. I remember seeing it at Olney in2007 in the "old" theatre. Well, this version is nothing like you have even seen before under the clever and inspired direction of Jason King-Jones.

While the musical is based on The Gospel According to St. Matthew and features as the leading player one named Jesus, you do not have to be Christian to love GODSPELL. Just go and enjoy. Even if you have never heard of a parable.

When you enter the theatre, you are transported to the southwest with a couple of telephone poles, a shopping cart, a working water pump, and scaffolding with a large white bed sheet hanging with the word "lost" scribbled on it. When the lights go down, you hear the sound of a helicopter, reminiscent of MISS SAIGON. A woman walks onto the stage with a suitcase (yes, we are going on a journey) sees an old radio stage front and raises the antennae. She begins singing a cappella "Therefore Men of Athens" and is joined by other cast members. The song was like a madrigal and reminded me of the singing group "The Swingle Singers" ( a vocal group founded in 1962 in France). Then a bright red Ford pick-up truck drives on stage (I immediately thought of the failed musical HANDS ON A HARD BODY) driven by the talented Rachel Zampelli (playing both John and Judas) who holds a megaphone and belts out the hymn "Prepare Ye" while the bed sheet is taken down revealing the six person orchestra under the capable baton of Olney's Music Director Christopher Youstra.

Jesus (played by the handsome Jordan Coughtry who I believe has a great future ahead of him) then enters through the audience, climbs on stage and begins the lovely "Save the People". The ensemble then changes costumes on stage to clothes that came straight from the musical HAIR (Costume Designer Ivania Stack). Scenic Designer Paige A. Hathaway then had the stage filled by lovely Arabian carpets and two beach chairs. Then we heard the themes from "Law and Order" and the film "Rocky" (Sound Design by Will Pickens), the first of many film and television themes. The effective lighting is by Sonya Dowhaluk.

The iconic theme "Day by Day" was sung beautifully by Allie Parris with the ensemble all on the truck.

There were take-offs of "The Family Feud", "The Dating Game", and references to "Charlie's Angels", the film "Frozen", the theme from "Chariots of Fire" and references to LES MISERABLES and FLASHDANCE.

I always look forward to seeing Christopher Mueller on stage but he had a much different look but the same wonderful voice for "O, Bless the Lord My Soul." Paper lanterns than fell from above. There was a great soft shoe number to "All for the Best" (terrific choreography by Byran Knowlton). Calvin McCullough (so great in Toby's IN THE HEIGHTS) has a great solo with "All Good Gifts" and Act I ends with the lively Michael J. Mainwaring leading the talented ensemble singing "Light of the World". The audience gave a rousing ovation. Maggie Donnelly shines with "Learn Your Lessons Well".

Act II begins with the ensemble reprising "Light of the World" with Maestro Youstra on the accordion. Youstra even added some vocals. Nice touch. Then coming straight from the World Premiere of DINER at Signature, the always entertaining Nova Y. Payton belted out "Turn Back O Man".

Emily Zickler nails "By My Side".

Other highlights include the ensemble bursting with energy in "We Beseech You" led by Kurt Boehm.

Coughtry then accompanied himself on guitar for the haunting "Beautiful City".

I was impressed with Coughtry's recitation of the blessings over wine and matzoh in Hebrew during the Last Supper. He credited Artistic Director Loewith for assisting him with the Hebrew.

GODSPELL runs until March 1, 2015. For tickets, call 301-924-3400. Bring the family. There are talkbacks after the Saturday matinees on Feb. 21 and 28.

Olney usually sells CD's for DVDs for the show they are presenting. Always a nice idea. I wish they did for GODSPELL. I also suggest you get the wonderful CD "The Stephen Schwartz Album" which highlights his Broadway and film music pre-WICKED. It features some incredible Broadway talent like Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenowith, Alice Ripley, Marin Mazzie, Susan Egan, Jason Daniely, and Emily Skinner.

Next up at Olney is GROUNDED, a co-production with the Everyman Theatre starring Megan Anderson and directed by Derek Goldman. This is an amazing play about what it's like for a fighter pilot who becomes pregnant and is "grounded" and must use drones to reach her targets. See my review on this site. It runs from Feb. 25 to March 22 in the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab.

THIS AND THAT

There is a great spread in the January 23, 2015 issue of "Entertainment Weekly" on the music of the great Alan Menken who has worked often with Schwartz. Has anyone seen his marvelous "Galavant", his musical presented by ABC? What a fun show.

DVR Alert. Do not miss the Feb. 20, 2015 edition of the PBS Special "American Masters"(9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) featuring "August Wilson, the ground on which i stand" in honor of the 70th Anniversary of Wilson's birth, 10th anniversary of his death, and Black History Month. Look for my review next week. You will see snippets of all of Wilson's plays.

Some books to consider reading. I enjoyed Alan Cumming's "Not My Father's Son: A Family Memoir" and the very funny Andrea Martin's "Lady Parts".

Finally, pick up Amy Poehler's hysterical "Yes Please". It's a great read.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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