2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeInternational twist to 'Godspell' succeeds in plot line, acting
By PennyMaria Jackson
Posted: 12/4/08, 2:11 AM EST Section: Feature
Jesus and his disciples traveled around the world visiting various nations of Cuba, Haiti, South Africa, Sudan, India, China, Iraq and New Orleans.
Well, at least in Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj's version of "Godspell" they did.
"Godspell" was originally written in 1970 by lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," "Enchanted") and playwright John-Michael Tebelak, but Syracuse Stage's new and innovative production featured remixed versions of some of the original songs that were reworked to fit various cultures and genres of music.
The cast included SU Drama student performers Michael Howell, Nadine Malouf, Lauren Nolan, Tinuke Oyefule, Frank Paparone and Brendon Stimson.
Equity actors Brandi Chavonne Massey, Jasmin Walker, Timothy Ware and American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson were also featured in the production.
This show was a collaboration between the SU Drama department and Syracuse Stage which gives students a chance to perform in an equity show.
It was difficult to differentiate the equity actors from the student actors, who seemed ready for Broadway.
The show began at the United Nations with Jesus (Anwar Robinson) speaking words from God. Next, the disciples introduced themselves and the nations they represented.
Although the opening scene was vibrant, the show didn't get started until Judas (Timothy Ware) performed a tribal drum song, which was completely unexpected. He then beckoned the rest of the cast to sing the opening number, "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord."
Anwar Robinson has a long way to go before becoming a triple threat. His lack of theater experience weakened his performance, but his melodic tones were almost enough to make up for it.
Being that "Godspell" is a musical, everyone had wonderful voices, but the clarity was sometimes lost when they sung together, perhaps due to a lack of diction.
Even though continual technical difficulties with microphones threatened to disrupt the show, the performers endured. The production kept the audience interested by encouraging audience participation and even invited people to come to the stage to meet the cast during the intermission.
Well, at least in Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj's version of "Godspell" they did.
"Godspell" was originally written in 1970 by lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked," "Enchanted") and playwright John-Michael Tebelak, but Syracuse Stage's new and innovative production featured remixed versions of some of the original songs that were reworked to fit various cultures and genres of music.
The cast included SU Drama student performers Michael Howell, Nadine Malouf, Lauren Nolan, Tinuke Oyefule, Frank Paparone and Brendon Stimson.
Equity actors Brandi Chavonne Massey, Jasmin Walker, Timothy Ware and American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson were also featured in the production.
This show was a collaboration between the SU Drama department and Syracuse Stage which gives students a chance to perform in an equity show.
It was difficult to differentiate the equity actors from the student actors, who seemed ready for Broadway.
The show began at the United Nations with Jesus (Anwar Robinson) speaking words from God. Next, the disciples introduced themselves and the nations they represented.
Although the opening scene was vibrant, the show didn't get started until Judas (Timothy Ware) performed a tribal drum song, which was completely unexpected. He then beckoned the rest of the cast to sing the opening number, "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord."
Anwar Robinson has a long way to go before becoming a triple threat. His lack of theater experience weakened his performance, but his melodic tones were almost enough to make up for it.
Being that "Godspell" is a musical, everyone had wonderful voices, but the clarity was sometimes lost when they sung together, perhaps due to a lack of diction.
Even though continual technical difficulties with microphones threatened to disrupt the show, the performers endured. The production kept the audience interested by encouraging audience participation and even invited people to come to the stage to meet the cast during the intermission.
Be the first to comment on this story