Powerful, rousing ‘Godspell’ at OCC

Tom Titus

The gospel-rock musical ‘Godspell’ has been around, going on forever,

yet it’s periodically rediscovered by a new generation of talented

young singer-dancers, most of whom probably hadn’t heard of the show

previously.

Stephen Schwartz’s paean to the life and death of Christ -- with

modern takes on the parables and the music set in the here and now --

is calculated to entertain both devout and the nonreligious

audiences. And entertain it does, at Orange Coast College.

Director-choreographer Beth Hansen has assembled an outstanding

cast, which imparts the message with both a funny and furious

flourish. After a melodic and comical first act, the stage darkens

after intermission and the performers display their acting chops.

“Godspell” is the ultimate ensemble show, but even the most

democratic examples of that genre must have a core leader. At OCC,

it’s veteran student actor Michael Cavinder, delivering the

performance of his young career as Jesus.

Cavinder blends in well with the faithful through most of the

show, but when push comes to shove in the climactic moments, he

presses the emotional pedal to the metal with a tenacity witnessed in

few renditions of this show.

David Marchesano, who doubles as John the Baptist and, later,

Judas, is an equally strong and vital presence, battling the demons

within his character on the road to betrayal.

The eight chorus members, each of whom has his or her turn in the

spotlight, mesh beautifully as disciples playing out the New

Testament stories with a 21st century panache.

Musical directors Terence Alaric and Alan Crawley keep the tempo

humming and periodically remind viewers of the period in which the

show was born with some snippets of TV and movie themes like “Jaws,”

“Green Acres,” “Bonanza” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

Katie McClure -- who also serves as assistant choreographer --

renders a beautifully constructed solo with “Day by Day” (minus the

traditional seesaw). Chelsea Newman leads a snappy “Learn Your

Lessons Well” and Shannon Coogan fronts the peppy ensemble number

“Bless the Lord.”

Leslie Fuller scorches the stage with a torchy “Turn Back, Oh

Man,” while Rudolph Niemann takes the tempo down a notch for “All

Good Gifts.” Noelle Kirby offers a softly passionate “By My Side” and

John Smith is out front for a hand-clapping, tambourine-tapping “We

Beseech Thee.”

David Scaglione’s gritty urban setting would make an ideal

backdrop for “West Side Story” and serves this production splendidly.

Cynthia Corley’s costumes are street smart (no Superman “S” on

Jesus’ shirt in this show), while Brock Cilley’s lighting and sound

design -- especially in the climactic sequences -- is excellent.

“Godspell” blends the timeless biblical messages with a “today”

feel that continues to prevail despite the show’s middle-age

chronology.

It’s been done often locally over the last four decades, but

Orange Coast College’s interpretation is among the best.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.