BWW Reviews: Theatre Downtown's GODSPELL Mixes Pop Culture With Old World Stories

The story is familiar, Jesus lives, does some supernatural stuff, changes the world, and dies. The real Jesus would never guessed that his story would mesh with "Ain't nobody got no time fo' dat" lady or a singing goat, but it happened and it was awesome. How this production tells the tale is much different than any Sunday School lesson.

The show opens in a boarding school, where the kids represent the views of different philosophical thinkers arguing over the meaning of life. The babbling ends when John the Baptist calls the community to order. From there its a series of familiar Bible parables. Jesus enters in his white T-shirt and khaki pants. He gains followers and spreads his word.

The cast is a talented group of belters with an incredible ability to harmonize and transform the music of Stephen Schwartz. Several members of the company show their god-given talent not only by singing their hearts out, but showing their musicianship. Enter the multi-talented actors who sing and play a plethora of string instrument and a flute to accompany the four man pit band.

Bryan Royals is a passionate and caring Jesus who is completely committed to his role. At his peak and knowing his fate, Royals turns into a screaming Jesus, whose pain radiates throughout the theater.

While the story and the music is enough to enthrall audiences, pop culture weaved into the show making it laugh out loud funny and something not to be missed. Audience participation always is a change of pace. With things flying into the audience and other people getting plucked from their seats, there is no chance of getting bored. Not only are the cast fabulous actors, but their improv skills are up to par as well.

Theatre Downtown is the perfect venue for this production, the intimate space makes it easy for the actors to dance, sing, run, and sit amongst the people. No one is safe, but then again, the way the production is designed everyone is clapping along anyway.

Directed by Zach Van Dyke, GODSPELL is presented by Theatre Downtown and The Vine Theatre stars Bryan Royals as Jesus, and Patrick Sylvester as Judas. Company members include Rhyan Michele Adams, Olivia Ascough, Caroline Drage, Beki Herrbach, Brandy Cooper, Ricardo Lastrapes, Dominique Allen Lawson, Joshua S. Roth, Carly Skubick, Victor Souffrant, Ashton Symonds, and Salvatore Vieira.

In response to recent sold out performances, GODSPELL extended an additional week, now until March 24. Be sure to visit GODSPELL at Theatre Downtown's Facebook page here. On-stage photos and audience appearance photos are uploaded nightly. For tickets and more information visit http://www.theatredowntown.net/.

Photo Credit: Theatre Downtown

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