Theatre Mania: Production Notes

Feb 28, 2000
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 28
by Forrest


The Cast of Godspell

I really lucked out this last weekend: I saw two shows, and both were extraordinary. On Friday night (February 25), PRODUCTION NOTES was invited to THIRD EYE REPERTORY's opening night performance of GODSPELL. Enter a commercial building on West 34th Street, find your way to the performance space on the fifth floor through a short maze of hallways...and the last thing you expect to find is a production that would cause any tired, jaded theater snob to rethink what a musical revival should feel like. Upon entering the space, I have to admit, I was very tired and just slightly amused by the idea that I was about to re-see this early 1970s interpretation of the Gospel according to Saint Matthew. As soon as the first voice was heard, however, my attendance status shifted from "professional commitment" to enthused patron, for it was now clear there was a diva in the house.. and one diva is sometimes all that is needed to make a production bearable. But this kept happening. As each actor took a solo turn in the spotlight, it became evident that this group as a whole was talented far beyond my expectations. Having been familiar with only one of the names in this cast (CAPATHIA JENKINS), I was sure that she was going to rule with her song (“Turn Back, O Man”)...but that didn't come until the second act. As each solo started before that, my guest and I would pinch or nudge in each other in silent acknowledgement that we could't believe the excellence of what we were hearing. SHOSHANA BEAN has one of the most unique voices you will ever hear; the range on this girl doesn't stop! CATHERINE CARPENTER returns to theater after taking five years off; though she has an amazing voice, her charming, self-proclaimed "surfer dude" boyfriend had never heard her sing a note until GODSPELL. (How do you keep a talent like that hidden?). I can find something fantastic to say about each of the other cast members: BARRETT FOA, CHAD KIMBALL, TIM CAIN, LESLIE KRITZER, WILL ERAT, ELISEO ROMAN, LUCIA GIANNETTA. But enough already! Go see this show now, because there is no guarantee it will move or extend. Special mention to the SHIRLEY TEMPLE OF DOOM band!!! THIRD EYE REPERTORY is offering a GODSPELL for the year 2000, and their efforts have paid off brilliantly! Congratulations to SHAWN ROZSA (director) and DAN SCHACHNER (musical director) for creating the atmosphere needed to foster such a performance.

GODSPELL
Third Eye Repertory
22 West 34th Street, 5th Floor
$12
212-501-2420 (call for schedule)

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