Review: 'Godspell' by Newtown High School Drama

NEWTOWN, CT - Newtown High School Drama presented “Godspell” via livestream on Friday.

The freshman and sophomore students proved that the show must go on, although they have faced many setbacks through the pandemic. The cast and crew of this beloved musical did not let anything stop them. Viewers were able to relax in the comfort of their home and enjoy another musical from the NHS Drama program.

The production used the updated score by Stephen Schwartz, as well as some pandemic updates to keep it very topical. Instead of Jesus painting the faces of his disciples, he offered hand sanitizers to each of them from a travel-sized bottle clipped to his pants. The performers looked at their cell phones during “The Tower of Babel” and I am pretty sure that they used them as spotlights later on, although I also noticed some flashlights. I heard references to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, essential workers, a second stimulus package and Church Hill Road in Newtown. Sadly, I probably missed a few of the jokes before I inserted my ear buds.

John the Baptist/Judas entered from stage right, instead of through the house, for “Prepare Ye,” but he did lift his mask to blow the police whistle to betray the Master. The choreography was a joy to watch through both the musical numbers and the parables, where claps and snaps helped to tell the stories. “All for the Best” featured lots of great moves.

The 23 performers were nicely spaced for their safety, but managed to simulate the comradery of this band of followers. The final “handshakes” between Jesus and his followers were intricate in nature, but included minimal touching. Wooden rulers were added as props for “Learn Your Lessons Well,” which I have never seen before in the numerous productions I have attended. Tambourines added a lot to “Bless the Lord My Soul,” plastic tubs were drummed for “Turn Back, O Man” and in the Last Supper scene, Jesus distributed individually wrapped “bread” and juice pouches.

Director Jane Matson led the students as she always does, but this time with many a nod to current events. Musical Director Anna DeMasi made sure that the singing was top notch, despite the singers having to project through a cloth mask. It may have been a result of the location of the microphones but I was impressed with how well I was able to hear every part of the harmony for each and every one of the musical numbers. Overall, the vocals were strong, but the entire cast singing for “By My Side” was especially memorable.

Technical Director Brian Tenney made everything look great on the stage and the stream. The stream was provided through multiple cameras. The background was a graffiti covered wall and a large seesaw front and center. Producers Alysia Caffrey, Tegan Famiglietti and Janice Gabriel kept everything together despite all of the challenges.

I believe that the band included just a keyboard and drums, but a cast member added a lovely onstage violin line to “On the Willows.” Kurt Eckhardt got credit for serving as the Rehearsal Pit Conductor.

Costume Coordinator Marie Armstrong made sure that the students were both colorful and comfortable on their stage, despite the ever-present masks. Yes, the character of Jesus wore the traditional Superman t-shirt.

Newtown High School Drama will present The Mystery of Edwin Drood with the juniors and seniors on June 6.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.