Godspell at Holy Cross

Theater: Holy Cross
Show: Godspell
Seen: April 26, 20008
Submitted: April 27, 2008
Reviewer: Lauren Jentleson

Prepare ye, because you're bound to learn your lessons well from Holy Cross
High School's rendition of the musical "Godspell".

Godspell, a 1970 Stephen Schwartz musical, modernizes the Gospel of Matthew
with thrilling music and the opprotunity for each production to be one of a
kind. "Godspell" debuted as a result of a college project at Carnegie Mellon
University, but soon took the country by storm, claiming the Broadway stage
from June 1976 thru September 1977. The show takes the audience on an
uplifting journey, from Jesus Christ's uprising as a leader all the way to
his crucifixion.

As a whole, the sixty-five person cast brought everything they had to the
table. They took the show and truly made it their own with pop culture
references and the addition of the movie version's song "Beautiful City."
Throughout the performance, the energy levels were notably high and
everyone, audience and cast members alike, seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Despite some technical errors that were scattered throughout the show, the
overall production was extremely commendable.

Lead actors Nick Francesoni-Velez (Jesus) and Andrew Ehrhardt (John the
Baptist/Judas) brought forth comedy and insight to challenging roles.
Francesoni-Valez's abilities were showcased as Jesus. He showed conviction
and passion in his performance. Andrew Ehrhardt nearly had the audience
rolling on the floor laughing at times. With his humorous vocal impressions
and witty one-liners, he never let up. However, when it was time to be
serious, he shined just as brightly.

The leads weren't the only ones contributing to the production, though. The
show was filled with talented performers. Casey Grouser, the soloist in "O,
Bless the Lord, My Soul" stole the show. Her powerhouse voice sent the
entire auditorium into toe tapping, rhythmic clapping mode. Another notable
featured performer was Erin Bell, the lead singer in "By My Side." Bell took
the challenge of singing one of the few ballads in the production and making
it memorable. There wasn't a sour note in the song. The ensemble as a whole
was charismatic, appropriately boisterous, and very talented.

The technical aspects were stunning. The contrasting set of the ruins of the
Greek Acropolis and the urban setting that resembles something from our time
period, helped to emphasize the contrast between the philosophical thinkers
that preach the good of man versus the concept of man's redemption from a
higher, Almighty being.

Congratulations to Holy Cross on a great performance!

by Lauren Jentleson of Upper Merion High School