Lisa Jarisch calls “Godspell” “edgy, piercing, gritty, brilliant” in her review for Berkshire On Stage
“This Godspell, this gospel according to Compton, is an edgy, piercing, gritty, brilliant piece of theatre, certain to take its place as one of, if not THE, most stellar productions of the 2023 season.”
“Compton has taken the skeleton of the original piece and built an entirely new body of work, maintaining the integrity of the Gospel message while injecting new depths of meaning to the simple parables, stories and teachings that make-up the bulk of the production.”
“The songs remain the same, the plot most assuredly remains true to sharing the Gospel of Matthew, but this is singularly unique and masterful production, filled with contemporary references, exposing an occasional seamy underbelly of the beasts of betrayal, and overall offering gritty, sharp-edged, sometimes sharp-tongued lessons in life, love, and faith.”
“Stephanie Prestage gives the first of the disciple “solos” scattered like good seed through the show, delivering a beautiful rendition of “Day by Day,” probably the most recognizable song associated with the show. Her strong, pure voice swells with her newly-burgeoning love and desire to follow Jesus, and sets the bar high for all the solos to follow.”
“wherever each solo opportunity appears, it fits seamlessly into the production, elevating the high quality caliber of talent that bursts from this production”
“Fallon gives a bravura performance in his vocals and his acting, moving deftly from the enthusiastic first days as a preacher of parables, teller of tales and teacher of morals, to the tortured Son of Man approaching the end predestined for him as the Son of God.”
“It is always a joy to have Mac-Haydn favorite Andrew Burton Kelley grace the Mac-Haydn stage, and in his role as John/Judas he is in his element, giving glorious depth of voice to each and every lyric.”
“Fallon and Kelley have clearly embraced and taken their roles into their hearts, and their souls.”
“As has come to be the norm with virtually every Mac-Haydn offering, the technical quality of the production more than holds its own against the performances in every way.”
“Angela Carstensen’s costume design is, in a word, inspired.”
“Godspell at the Mac is a truly unique, brilliant, thought-provoking, cutting edge work of theater art.”
Bill Kellert calls “Godspell” “stirring and moving” in his review for Nippertown
“Working with a small cast, every performer is given their moment or two or three to shine, and shine they do. Stephanie Prestage’s Day by Day is stirring and moving. Bella DePaola offers a gutsy, seductive rendition of Turn Back, O Man. Matthew Harper Stevenson offers up a very heartfelt Light of the World. Amber Mawande-Spytek, like many of the cast, returns to the Mac stage to offer her exceptional talents to the production. Jack Koch presents an exceptional We Beseech Thee.”
“Mac-Haydn vets, Conor Fallon and Andrew Burton Kelley have masterfully grabbed the reins of the two icons.”
“Conor Fallon never waivers as the Son of God. Well aware of the fate that awaits at the play’s end, he never loses the humanity of his character or the joy that inhabits his role. Fallon is much like the ringmaster of a very complex circus.”
“As a whole, this cast has risen to the complex simplicity that the show demands.”
Jeffrey Borak calls “Godspell” “fulfilling and rewarding” in his review for The Berkshire Eagle
“Director Trey Compton and choreographer Elizabeth McGuire hold nothing back in their approach to John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz’ “Godspell” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. They are blessed with an able young ensemble whose members are more than capable of delivering the goods.”
“Compton has pulled out all the stops here with glitz, glamor and a hint of the flower generation in a vibrant, neon-disco-psychedelic setting (evocatively conceived by scenic designer Tania Barrenechea and lighting designers Eoghan Hartley and Andrew Gmoser) that encompasses the entire theater — onstage and in the aisles.”
“This Jesus (an accomplished, gently authoritative, world-smart Conor Fallon) delivers his message through a series of parables, which he coaxes the members of this small community to act out.”
“This evening is at its most fulfilling and rewarding when it is singing and when it is moving to McGuire’s savvy, wonderfully theatrical choreography.”
“Among the production’s highlights are Stephanie Prestage’s “Day By Day,” an object lesson in stage presence; Kassi McMillan’s brassy, belting “Learn Your Lessons Well;” Jake Koch’s lead in “We Beseech Thee;” and Fallon and Kelley’s playful duet, “All For the Best.””
“this “Godspell” manages to fill its two hours in buoyant, abundantly theatrical ways that are, when all is sung and done, all for the best.”