Godspell
My thoughts on Godspell or Prepare ye for great entertainment
I can’t remember when Godspell was not in my life. Just like Jesus Christ Superstar it became a treasured part of my musical vocabulary. However, they are quite different musicals. I’ve always thought that JCS aims for the head while Godspell aims for the heart.
And the Firehouse’s Godspell scores a direct hit. Director/Choreographer Amy Parsons brings many fresh ideas to this Stephen Schwartz musical. She sets the play in modern day on a stalled NYC subway car realistically rendered by Scenic Designer Logan Uhtenwoldt. Costumer Dayna Rae Dutton dresses the cast in mostly casual wear. I did admire the costumes of Jesus in a “I Love NY” t-shirt and Judas in head to toe black. There’s excellent lighting by Hank Baldree and sound from Bill Sizemore.
Director Parsons has filled the cast with many talented singers and Music Director M. Shane Hurst has everyone sounding terrific singing all those familiar tunes as they enact stories from the Gospel of St. Matthew 2025 style.
The cast includes stand out performances from several cast members and Parsons gives everyone a moment to shine. Lucas Haupert brings a beautiful humanity to Jesus as well as a sweet tenor voice. His Jesus is tender, adamant, patient, jovial, and introspective. Haupert, an accomplished veteran actor, transitions easily between the comical scenes and the more touching, emotional scenes. The man in black is Nolan Spinks as Judas. Spinks, also a fine actor and singer whom I have admired since The Wild Party back in 2019, is sensational in his “All for the Best” duet with Haupert in Act I and skillfully and subtly brings out the darker side of the betrayer in Act II. Cam Hayes is terrific as John the Baptist. Hayes is blessed with off the charts stage appeal and a big voice that makes “Prepare Ye” so joyous that it made me misty eyed.
Bryson Morlan, so good as Carl Perkins in the Firehouse’s Million Dollar Quartet. brings vocal power and charm to my favorite song from the show “All Good Gifts.” Sydnie Roy performs the show’s most familiar song “Day by Day” with a spirit that grows from gentle to loud and proud. Meghan MacClellan reminds us tunefully and comically that you need to “Learn Your Lessons Well.” Cayley Bender-Davis makes “Bless the Lord” a highlight with her soaring belt. Kayla Rene Jackson is hilarious working the audience while singing the seductive “Turn Back, O Man” and has quite a belt herself. Brianna Seanor delivers a quietly beautiful and sincere “By My Side.” Trev Turnbow ends Act I with an energetic and rousing “Light of the World” and Evan Taiclet, who does one of the best Jennifer Coolidge impressions I’ve ever heard, brings crowd pleasing power to “We Beseech Thee.”
This amazing cast guided by Parsons and Hurst brings great humor, great music, and all the feels to the Firehouse’s Godspell. It is infectious joy from beginning to end. I beseech you to attend.
Godspell continues at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmer’s Branch until April 19th.
Photography by Jason Anderson/Pendleton Photography
