‘Godspell’ is one of the best revivals of the year

The endearing quality of Godspell, John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz’ clever cult classic, is on perfect display at the Circle in the Square in New York City, where a smart, fun-filled revival recently opened.

Starring Weeds alum Hunter Parrish as Jesus and a group of talented performers as the apostles, Godspell relives some of the highlights of the New Testament with a funky, downtown style. Jesus wears modern clothes and his apostles are more like a cadre of clowns than biblical statues. These are the Gospels unleashed, willing to take the lessons of the text to lofty interpretive heights.

What this cast achieves with the material is an organic comfortableness and conversational tone. They are a company of performers who have landed on Broadway like traveling mystics, ready to offer their theatrical wares to all who will hear them out … or accept their Facebook friend requests.

This isn’t your grandmother’s Bible. This is a modern retelling, stressing cultural tidbits from 2011 and smoothly working them into the teachings and workings of Jesus. Sometimes the modern-day references overtake the story (social networking references should be banned from Broadway), but, more often than not, the updating of the script is expertly accomplished. It’s almost as if an invisible baton from culture to culture is being passed throughout the performance.

Among the cast members, Parrish is likable as the Son of Man and Wallace Smith is a talented Judas. In the ensemble, Morgan James offers a sexily slinky “Turn Back, O Man” and Uzo Aduba is pitch-perfect in her many roles.

George Salazar probably gets the most laughs of the performance. On the night I saw the show, the actor was quick with some improvisation during an audience participation bit.

Telly Leung has the best voice and can play a mean piano.

But identifying the various strengths of these actors seems almost counter-intuitive to the material. Godspell is a show that stresses the value of community, the need to work together. This ensemble realizes that fact and leans on each other to tell its story. No one performer outshines the others.

Daniel Goldstein’s direction is crafty, especially given the limitations of the Circle in the Square. There are times when the action is blocked by another performer, but within a few minutes, you should regain a nice perspective. Occasionally the actors need to repeat their gestures to both sides of the house, and this becomes annoyingly redundant after a while. A more conventional stage would have eliminated some of the circular awkwardness.

David Korins’ scenic design is inventive and useful. Jesus walks on water right before your eyes, and the apostles take in the purity of a waterfall descending from the ceiling. Stage lights become monster eyes, and there’s even a trampoline session where the actors bounce to the beat of the rock score.

Schwartz, who went on to write the music for Wicked and Pippin, still gets mileage out of his songs. Many of the tunes, played by an orchestra strategically placed around the stage, are classics. From “Prepare Ye” to “Day by Day” to “By My Side,” Godspell has worked its way into the theatrical canon.

Of course, this much-produced musical will always suffer from the naysayers who point out the “high-school” feel to the action. And, by and large, they are correct. Godspell may be universal, but it’s probably best enjoyed by teenagers. It’s up to us older folk to leave behind the trappings of age and enjoy some of this inspiring, youthful fun.

From the look of the crowd that gobbled up the rush tickets at a recent performance, the musical still attracts the younger set. They sit on special lounge cushions and pillows around the stage, looking up at Jesus and the apostles, soaking in all the abundant creativity.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Godspell

• Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak

• Music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

• Directed by Daniel Goldstein

• Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli

• Starring Hunter Parrish, Wallace Smith, Uzo Aduba, Nick Blaemire, Celisse Henderson, Morgan James, Telly Leung, Lindsay Mendez, George Salazar and Anna Marie Perez de Tagle

• Playing at Circle in the Square at 1633 Broadway in New York City.

• Click here for more information. Tickets start at $79.50. Those lottery rush tickets are $30. Lottery drawings take place 90 minutes before curtain.

• Running time: 140 minutes

• Rating: