The light of the world is lighting up all of Columbia as Toby’s Dinner Theatre brings Godspell to the stage this autumn season. Co-Directed by David James and Mark Minnick, with Musical Direction by Ross Scott Rawlings, and Choreography by Mark Minnick, this uplifting, joyous Stephen Schwartz musical is a dazzling night of live theatre, waiting to fill audiences’ hearts with happiness. Hope and glee are omnipresent in this production and it is one show you won’t want to miss this season.
Directors Mark Minnick and David James take the iconic musical and give it a modernity and relevancy which is both humorous and poignant, simple and enjoyable. No overbaked concepts, no reinventing the wheel, just the essence of the show in all its radiant splendor with a present-day feel, modern pop cultural references, and an enthusiastic cast that will lighten your spiritual load and bring a brilliant smile to your face. Minnick and James move the show’s setting to a park— it could even be Centennial Park here in Columbia— and everything that unfolds in the production is framed by the honest simplicity of that scenery.
Scenic and Lighting Designer David A. Hopkins brings the park to live with simple fixtures— lampposts, basketball hoop, park bench, all of the expected accoutrements one might find inside an outdoor green-space. Hopkins’ real theatrical magic comes into play with his lighting design, using clever colors to add a burst of flavor to more up-tempo musical numbers, like the rainbow flashes seen during “We Beseech Thee.” That same illuminating brilliance is used to enhance the more subdued atmospheres, like the cooled color configuration used during “By My Side” and “On The Willows.” Most notably impressive among Hopkins’ design work is the impeccable timing of the red-lit lampposts towards the show’s conclusion, a tasteful and symbolic representation of the crucifixion that is emotionally electrifying without being offensive and overly-intense.
Minnick and James mine the production for humorous, uplifting moments and hit gold with their modern pop culture references peppered liberally throughout the performance. The parables aren’t just the stories which Jesus imparts and teaches to the disciples; they are now loaded with laughter and featuring everything from Schitt’s Creek to Geico ads. There are callbacks and references to other musical theatre shows, particularly Les Miserables (which makes every Broadway-lover happy), as well as game show and TV personality references galore. The co-directing team fits each of these pop-culture references into the parables and musical numbers brilliantly, making the most out of these comic-add-ins without compromising the overall integrity of the story. The overall modern approach, with cellphones (particularly during the opening number, “Prologue/Tower of Babel”, which is a stunning representation of how our technological world is mired in fake news and ‘babel’) and other present-day references gives the production an undeniable relatability for audiences of all ages. Costume Designer Janine Sunday ties this concept all together in her casual, colorful outfits featured on the ten-person cast, including the “I’m into fitness— fittin’ this taco in my mouth” t-shirt.
While Godspell does not scream “great big dancing musical” in the traditional sense that other shows do, Choreographer Mark Minnick doesn’t miss an opportunity to deliver energetic dance routines whenever the tempo and feel of a flashy song allow it. Minnick’s choreography clean and effective, radiating vivacious to the audience without being overdone. With high-octane musical numbers there is often the temptation to incorporate high-intensity routines with complex moves; Minnick deftly avoids that temptation and gives the audience something crisp and entertaining that doesn’t look like it was choreographed for the sake of being choreographed— his dance routines feel natural, like you might witness a group of people dancing this way because there simply is no other way to express their joy.
If there’s one complaint to be had about the performance it’s the mismatched sound balance echoing out of John Pantazis’ sound design. There are moments of sonic brilliance, like when the Pharisees (DeCarlo Raspberry, Tina Marie DeSimone, Janine Sunday) are questioning Jesus in the lead-up to “Alas For You”; Pantazis sound work here features hypnotic echoing reverb on their microphones which creates a striking moment intrigue. But overall there are issues, particular with John The Baptist/Judas (Shane Lowry), when it comes to striking a clean balance between Musical Director Ross Scott Rawlings’ (who sits above the performance and can be seen by the audience, even interacting with the show in a comical nature as he plays) keyboards and individual singing. Because of these balance flaws, Lowry’s two features— “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” and his half of the duet, “All For the Best” become muddled and lost.
Musical Director Ross Scott Rawlings brings group harmonies together with powerful strength, giving the aural illusion that you’re hearing more than just ten bodies singing at full power on stage. As Godspell is a company musical, where everyone has a solo (with Jesus in the lead), the dynamic that Rawlings creates for these dominant ensemble moments is impressive. His ability to set a consistent tempo keeps the musical rolling along at an enjoyable pace.
Everyone has a feature number in the production and at least one moment during a parable that’s well worth praising. For DeCarlo Raspberry his glorious operatic voice carries “All Good Gifts” with jubilation; he is the spirit of joy incarnate. When he joins the trios or somber sorrow during “On The Willows” (featuring Jeffrey Shankle and Heather Beck), it is difficult not to cry, proving his vocal versatility tenfold. His energetic personality is perfect for being a game-show host during one of the parables and his infectious smile never wanes during the more invigorating numbers.
Belting her face off with serious joyful soul, Crystal Freeman is vocally burning down the park-style risers upon which she stands as she delivers a powerful rendition of “O, Bless the Lord, My Soul.” There is an undeniable passion blasting forth from her joyous voice during this number, inspiring her fellow performers and the audience alike to embrace the sheer radiance reverberating from her heart.
Living her best life, including a callback to her Wizard of Oz days, Tina Marie DeSimone has a tenacity that is second to none in this production, particularly when it comes time for her to claim her vocal solo. Peddling her true South-Philly self in a way that both elevates the production and the overall personal touches that each of the performers are bringing to the show, DeSimone knocks it out of the park when she belts out “Learn Your Lessons Well.”
MaryKate Brouillet finds herself in the epic Schitt’s Creek sendup, playing a hilarious character, which is good fun for everyone to watch, even if you’ve never seen or heard of the show. Brouillet is featured in number of the parables, like everyone in the cast, and finds little moments that speak to the audience through laughter and silliness, perfectly balanced so as not to be too hammy or too over-the-top. Her vocal vibrancy is felt most strongly and heard most beautifully when she takes the lead during “By My Side.” This is one of the more somber numbers featured in Godspell and Brouillet carries it sublimely.
When Janine Sunday adds her striking vocal quality to the aforementioned “By My Side”, she and Brouillet create a tragically beautiful sound that floats mellifluously through the house, carrying the emotional weight of the number with perfection. Sunday, who finds her comic moments embroiled with Jeffrey Shankle during the parable of the seeds (she and Shankle are ‘weeds’ and just try not to laugh that the way they interpret that!), showcases a myriad of talents throughout the performance, ranging from hilarious to sobering. There is a bright warmth that echoes through her voice when she starts the iconic song “Day By day”, endearing her to the audience right from the early onset of the performance.
Finding her vocal footing in duets and trios, Heather Beck lends a sensational sound to both “Light of the World” and “On the Willows”, blending and harmonizing in a way that truly serves Stephen Schwartz’ musical genius. There is something candid and unique about the way Beck moves through the show; she is the embodiment of a true passerby, taking it all in, letting it move through her, and sending it back out into the world just a little happier, a little friendlier, and a lot more lovingly. She is the perfect representation of your everyday, good-person, which really holds true to the modern concept that the co-directors have fabricated for this production.
Vying for the title of Show Funnyman (tough titties, boys, it’s a tie!) are Toby’s seasoned staples Jeffrey Shankle and David James. Both showcase impressive vocal acrobatics with their respective solo numbers. Jeffrey Shankle really shakes up the crowd with his rendition of “We Beseech Thee” and he delivers a powerful blast at the end of the number, which really raises the spirits of both audience and fellow cast. But it’s not his impressive singing that is the most memorable thing about his performance in this production of Godspell, it’s all the other magnificent background scenery chewing that he’s doing during the parables. Between the recurring Schitt’s Creek character, his throwback to Titanic, and his roll as THE sheep during the sheep-goat parable, the audience is in all but stitches laughing at his hilarious shenanigans. But it’s Shankle’s portrayal of a certain political figure that truly trumps everything other funny thing he’s doing in this performance.
David James, wearing the co-director’s hat as well as the performer’s hat, finds a great many places to impart his comedic wisdom into the show. He has a particularly playful relationship with Heather Beck, especially when he steals her number, “Turn Back, O Man”, which has the audience screaming and laughing in uncontrollable hysterics. James get to showcase his vocal prowess during “Light of the World” (another duet shared with Beck though he takes vocal point on the number); it’s a true musical gem. Getting to hear James’ soar through that number with such an impressive voice is an added delight to the performance.
A true story peddler, honest and convivial in his portrayal of Jesus Christ, Justin Calhoun is the spiritual glue of the story. With a voice as warm as sunlight, as pure as holy water, and as vibrant as all the colorful characters we see in Godspell, Calhoun has the world of the show in his hands. Never once in Calhoun’s portrayal do you feel as if the story of Jesus is a foregone conclusion. (Obviously, we’re not rewriting the bible; Jesus does die.) Calhoun is mesmerizing in his ability to make the audience forget that the conclusion of Jesus’ story is not a happy one; every step of the journey you’re feeling uplifted, truly enjoying his singing, his storytelling, and his dance moves (and basketball skills!) for all that they are worth. Even when Calhoun sets the house ablaze with a guttural fury during “Alas for You” (often referred to as the ‘Angry Jesus Number’) there is something truly entrancing about his performance. “Save The People” is the formal invitation for the audience to join the fun, and Calhoun delivers it with resplendent openness. His crisp, articulate diction serves the pattering verses of “All For the Best” superbly, this duet (delivered alongside John the Baptist, played by Shane Lowry) showcases Calhoun’s fun and free-spirited side. Calhoun’s sensation performance is the sun around which all other shimmering-star company members revolve, creating one extraordinary evening of live theatre.
Prepare ye— the way to Toby’s Dinner Theatre. This limited run engagement plays live on-stage through October 31, 2021 and tickets are moving quickly. This isn’t one you’ll want to miss; the brilliance behind bringing Godspell to a relevant point in modern day life while simultaneously keeping the show simple and accessible to all is a miracle in itself.
Running Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes with one intermission
Godspell plays through October 31, 2021 at Toby’s the Dinner Theatre of Columbia— 5900 Symphony Woods Road in Columbia, MD. For tickets please call (410) 730-8311 or purchase them online.
