Godspell @ Absegami High School

Actors fill the stage as the lights come up on Absegami High School's Godspell. A rich voice projects through the theater. Soon, other voices will join it in an opening song that -- uniquely -- is completely acapella.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell opened Off-Broadway in 1971, premiering on Broadway with its 2011 revival. In this musical, Jesus shares his teachings with devoted followers through musical numbers and parables from the Gospel of Matthew.

The role of ensemble member in this production is no small feat, but every single actor performed beautifully, all while not once leaving the stage for more than a few moments! The Ensemble did not let their energy dip, going full out at all times. They truly commanded the stage, utilizing the entirety of the set to their advantage. They left their audience laughing countless times and kept them captivated, by interacting with it throughout.

Mason Kane did an outstanding job as Jesus, even with the added pressure of being the only lead in the entirety of the show. He not only had strong and stunning vocals during songs such as "God Save the People", but also, through a beautiful portrayal, demonstrated a range of emotions and helped create the flawless change in mood during Act II.

The performance of Grace Young was nothing short of eye-catching. She was fully immersed in her roles at all times, with a lovely feature in "Day By Day" and many comical moments in the parables. The girls featured in "By My Side" are a perfect example of the ensemble's clean and impressive harmonies, which only improved as the show went on. Rehoboth Gbadebo, the lead voice in "By My Side," was another actress whose performance was constant. Along with Mary Kate Devenny, she was always engaged, demonstrated by reactive facial expressions. While in some scenes clearer enunciation would have increased the audience's delight, the cast had its fair share of funny jokes and reactions to each other.

The costumes and set reflected the sought after steampunk aesthetic expertly, truly bringing the show to life. The set, an old factory, contrasted well with the splashes of color in many of the costumes. The costume crew was also made up of four of the cast members, demonstrating a talent beyond the stage.

Absegami created a truly spectacular job of not only telling a particularly emotional tale, but also taking Godspell and making it their own. This Production can  truly be called a "Light of the World" in musical theater!