Godspell
"GODSPELL"
R.J. Donovan
Also new is the cast album from the off-Broadway
revival of Stephen Schwartz's "Godspell." A musical
re-telling of the gospel according to St. Matthew,
"Godspell" has been a popular title around the world
since it was first conceived thirty years ago.
Be aware that this CD has NOTHING to do with the
national touring company of "Godspell" that dragged
its sorry carcass across the stage of the Shubert last
December. (That production also has a CD out.)
The off-Broadway cast album is on the Fynsworth
Alley label and contains a bright and energetic cast
going through their paces. The general feeling of the
music has been updated somewhat to give it a more
contemporary flair. However, the numbers remain
true to the originals and the inherent charm has not
been sacrificed in favor of the update (unlike the
national touring company).
The cutting-edge back-up band for the show is
Shirley Temple of Doom. They've got a great sound
and provide solid support for the score. Among the
CD's stand-out numbers: "Bless The Lord" (by
Shoshanna Bean), "Day By Day" (from Catherine
Carpenter ), "All Good Gifts" (by Eliseo Roman)” and
"All For The Best" (the hat-and-cane duet by Will
Erat as John The Baptist and Barrett Foa as Christ).
While the national tour sounded like an overwrought
amateur-thon, these folks, along with director Shawn
Rozsa, have the musical savvy to bring the show to
the millennium while maintaining a respect for the
material. Fans of the show should enjoy the
interpretations.
The only drawback on the CD is that the written copy
on the booklet's inside back cover as well as the back
panel of the jewel case is difficult to read due to the
typeface that's been chosen to run over the
photographs. A small matter, but it makes the listing
of the musical numbers a challenge to decipher.
Happy Listening.
Until next time --
R. J. Donovan
Theater Guy
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