“Godspell” on UND Stage

The popular pop-rock musical updated interpretation of the New Testament was performed just a year ago by East Grand Forks Senior High School, and it’s now the first fall production at the University of North Dakota. “Godspell” opened Tuesday and runs at 7:30 nightly through this Saturday, Oct. 31, on the main stage of Burtness Theatre on the UND campus. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.

The fast-moving 1971 show by Stephen Schwartz tells the parables and magnetic influence of Jesus Christ on the common people, as well as his betrayal and death, all in a setting of a modern urban slum. The timeless message of peace, love, forgiveness and common sense, as opposed to hypocritical application of the letter of the law and ostentatious displays of supposedly good works by those in power, can just as easily be applied to today’s political scene (both domestic and international) as to the religious hierarchy of 2000 years ago.

Director Gaye Burgess and choreographer Lon Hurst handle an enthusiastic cast of 15 with effective staging and dance numbers that often extend down off the stage into the auditorium. It even begins in the audience, with cast members rising from seats and moving onto the stage. A fine live backstage four-piece band (piano, drums, guitar, and bass) provides the music.

Any musical, especially one like “Godspell,” requires a consistently high energy level to be effective, and UND’s cast excels in this. Tyler Rood as Jesus and Eric Voigt as John the Baptist and Judas are strong focal points, but everyone else is so deeply involved in his or her character it’s often a tough choice deciding which ones to watch at any given moment. Interestingly in this production the ten main characters are assigned names, whereas in many productions the actors simply use their own names on stage.

Of course with a musical, the songs are a major factor. While everyone in the cast does a fine job dramatically, there are only a few true standouts vocally. The others all do decent renditions, but their voices don’t always have the range or power for the specific songs they’re singing. Luckily the best songs (at least my personal favorites from the show) are performed by the best singers.

Rood and Voigt are both great in their “All for the Best” vaudeville-style duet. Especially memorable are Victoria Bertness’s performance of “Turn Back O Man,” Michelle McCauley’s performance of “Day by Day,” and her “Light of the World” with Oen Walsh. Ryan King also does an admirable job with “We Beseech Thee.” The last several minutes, with Christ’s death followed by the group finale, are powerfully moving theatre, a major reason that “Godspell” is so often revived.

UND’s production of “Godspell” may not be perfect, but it remains rousing entertainment, effective sociopolitical and spiritual commentary, and a night well-spent in the theatre.

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