All For the Best

Godspell

Welcome to contemporary coffeehouse where, in addition to a cup of Joe, patrons can enjoy some tasty baked goods, log onto their electronic device of choice and enjoy some music at the open mic venue. But as we observe the patrons and employees doing their thing, we begin to hear the prerecorded voices of cast members, spouting ideas from various famous world philosophers. Suddenly, John the Baptist appears at the microphone, interrupting the cacophony with three blasts of electronic feedback. This is the modern version of the shofar call to worship that always opened earlier productions. After watching the entire cast being baptized at the cafe’s water cooler, we’re treated to improv-inspired performances of the parables of Jesus. Every song and each dramatized story will soon be presented “All for the Best.”

Director Matthew Silar, Musical Director, Conductor Justin Kono and Choreographer Amanda Hope have fashioned their own unique version of GODSPELL. In a partnership with Curt’s Cafe of Evanston and Highland Park, Mr. Silar (SHE LOVES ME, at Citadel; LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, at Awaken Theatre) has creatively staged the musical in a way that brings it into the 21st century, while paying homage to the 70’s. The coffeehouse setting, like old-time general stores, is the kind of place where people can gather, share ideas and stories and make new friends. After they settle in, theatergoers can share a nice sense of community with the cast. 

What appeals to today’s audience is not necessarily the play’s religious themes but its positive message of humanity, a moral that’s much needed today. Especially significant, the play serves as a reminder to treat our fellow man the way in which we’d like to be treated. What appeals to directors is that John-Michael Tebelak’s script, with a pop/rock score by Stephen Schwartz (PIPPIN, WICKED), is only loosely based upon the life and parables of Jesus, as depicted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The libretto is flexible enough that it allows the production team’s creative juices to flow. Thus every production becomes a totally new experience. 

Scenic Designer Bob Knuth has created a gorgeous, authentic-looking coffeehouse as the playing area. It’s radiates with bright color and texture and resembles every independent neighborhood cafe around Chicago. He’s even turned the first row of the audience seating into cafe furniture. Wooden tables and chairs and the counter where orders are taken, all are movable and provide different levels for the performances. Not only is the setting a recognizable environment but the characters seem like familiar folks. Props Designer Nga Sze Chan has worked very hard, filling the stage with all the appropriate coffeehouse tchotchkes and furnishings. During the intermission, the audience can either purchase a beverage in the theater lobby or commune with some of the cast members onstage while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Incorporating cell phones, laptops and electronic tablets, along with including current cultural references (Dani Pike’s spot-on Trump impersonation brought the house down), the director has created a GODSPELL with which today’s audiences can truly connect. The original 1971 Off-Broadway production featured a group of characters dressed as colorful clowns. A later production sported a company of hippies or flower children. But Silar’s cast looks very contemporary. Costumer Kristin Brinati has decided to deck her cast out in bright modern-day outfits, with a nod to a retro style. The one exception is a very inventive, beautifully designed splashing coffee-themed costume in Act II.

Matthew Silar has cast an exciting and multitalented company of seventeen fresh, young actors to bring his production to life. Every performer is special in this production and deserves mention. The two leading characters, Jesus and John the 

Baptist/Judas, are played by two handsome, extremely gifted young actors. New to Music Theater Works, Eldon Warner-Soriano portrays Jesus. He makes his mark early in the show with a soulful “Save the People” and, in Act II, “Alas for You.” New to Chicagoland, Eldon recently earned his Masters Degree in Voice at the University of Illinois, in Urbana-Champaign, and he made his Chicago theatrical debut in Blank Theatre Company’s production of SWEET CHARITY. This talented young artist not only portrays Jesus with a kindness and a natural, laidback quality, but Eldon sings beautifully and is skilled with several musical instruments. And gifted, charismatic young Jacob Simon has the more difficult job of portraying two contrasting characters, both John the Baptist and Judas. The best news is that Mr. Simon performs each role with ease. His lovely baritone voice blends nicely with the other actors, but takes a powerful lead in songs like “Prepare Ye” and in the challenging patter song, “All For the Best.” Both Eldon and Jacob are terrific, talented and very likable; and they also have a strong chemistry with the entire company, as well as with each other.

Each and every one of the supporting cast members are individually and collectively accomplished and appealing. The delightful Dani Pike (TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, Theo; SHREK, THE MUSICAL, Music Theater Works) leads the cast with her jazzy “O, Bless the Lord, My Soul” and provides many of the musical’s comic moments. Comely Kaitlin Feely (TITANIQUE, Porchlight; SHE LOVES ME, Citadel) thrills us as she leads the company with the single pullout hit from the Stephen Schwartz score, “Day By Day.” Yet, at the drop of a hat, she can be very funny, particularly when impersonating a most frightening and hilarious Satanic character. Nicholas Ian (DIANA and THE SECRET GARDEN, both at Theo) is a treasure. He sings beautifully, plays the flute, is skilled at comedy and transforms into a wicked drag queen. In addition to everything else in this show, Nicholas makes “Turn Back, O Man” all his own and one of the highlights of this production.

Another strong and personable member of the ensemble is Tafadzwa Diener (A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Goodman; YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, Marriott). She reminds everyone musically that we need to “Learn Your Lessons Well,” while injecting humor into her various improv roles. Maxwell J. DeTogne (the lead in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Theo; INTO THE WOODS, Drury Lane) is, as always, especially sensational. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Max croons the beautiful “All Good Gifts.”

A professor of Musical Theatre at Carthage College, Ben Woods makes his Music Theater Works debut in GODSPELL. As one of the most compelling company members of the show, Ben is, funny, extremely adept on piano and has a lovely singing voice, as showcased in the bewitching eleventh hour ballad, “On the Willows.” Connor Ripperger (PIPPIN, LEGALLY BLONDE, Music Theater Works) charms the audience with his boyish persona and lively rendition of “We Beseech Thee.” And the musical’s most beautiful ballad, “By My Side,” is led by talented Concetta Russo, along with Tafadzwa and the rest of the company. Concetta proudly makes her MTW debut, but has been seen in BILLY ELLIOT, at Paramount, and DAMN YANKEES, the Marriott.

The ensemble of cafe employees and customers is comprised of the talented actors who are the show’s understudies and swings. But, thanks to Matthew Silar’s wise Direction, everyone appears in every performance. They even get an opportunity to shine in the reprise of “Learn Your Lessons Well” that opens Act II. They include Brandon Acosta, Alex Villasenor, Diana Marilyn Alvarez, Ethan Smith, Emily Holland, Jenna Makkawy and P-J Adams. Also making an onstage appearance at the top of Act II are the backstage Band members. They include Music Director and Conductor Justin Kono, who also plays drums; the incomparably multitalented Linda Madonia, on piano; Kyle Paul, on guitar; and Marcel Bonfim, on bass.  

It’s hard to believe that a musical that began life as a college thesis project, created by drama students at Carnegie Mellon University, ultimately become an Off-Broadway theatrical sensation. It was 54 years ago that the production moved to the LaMaMa Experimental Theatre Club, in New York’s East Village. The Stephen Schwartz musical, loosely based on the life and parables of Christ, as depicted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, continues to be popular today. If audiences aren’t familiar with the Biblical text, or the entire musical, they’ll be charmed by the show’s inventiveness and comic moments. Ultimately, theatergoers will be moved by the dramatic finale, and probably be familiar with some of the score. But really, this musical, in Music Theater Works’ inventive new production, is entirely and delightfully “All For the Best.”

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 23-November 16 by Music Theater Works at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the theater box office, or by going to www.MusicTheaterWorks.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.