Godspell

This wasn’t your parents’ Godspell. WAAPA’s Godspell, playing to capacity crowds, was presented by Second Year Musical Theatre Students and crewed, built and designed by WAAPA Production and Design Students.

Set in a classroom, gone were the hippie look and clown analogy, the cast of ten became twenty, and the apostles were uniformed, presumably Catholic, high school students, Jesus became the slightly more ambiguous JC and the pharisees were teachers and a priest. While perhaps slightly less colourful than its predecessors, it had new and interesting twists including JC’s acceptance and support of a transgender student and the display of the Progress Pride Flag.

A four-piece band, visible on stage, provided the music - under the Musical Direction of Joe Louis Robinson and Joel Curtis, with sound well designed by Sam Broughton and Nyree Workman. This is a cohort with some big contemporary voices - especially among the women, and this production gave ample opportunity to show them to their best advantage.

Bec Simpkins’ set and costume design established the school setting - with some great imagery with intimate moments really highlighted by Brooke Wilson’s superb lighting design.

Central character JC was played as a dynamic and captivating young teacher by Ellen Ebbs, whose outstanding performance really made this show special. Dressed androgynously, with a hairstyle that reminded me of a young Robin Williams - she also has much in common with the late actor, with a fabulous expressive face and an ability to radiate warmth. Adam Pavis took on the difficult Judas role - whose unease at his betrayal was palpable.

Playing both students and staff were Harry Butcher - lovely contrasts between his stoner teen and Father Kevin, Sophia Matthews - beautiful in Learn Your Lessons reprise and Tabby Gallucio nursing an arm in a cast and still performing at full level.

Each student had a distinct personality, with little adjustments to the uniform to help define them. Asha Kerr took the solo in Day by Day, taking on the confidence of her character and singing beautifully. Geena Hutton was bright and geeky and aced Learn Your Lessons Well. Jayda D’Agostino showed us some percussion talents and wowed us in Bless the Lord. Emma Caporaso was lovely singing By My Side. Lucy Lalor led the story of the prodigal son with skill, while Sarah Bowers was a dynamic presence throughout - as perhaps the keenest student. An obligatory trio of Mean Girls played by Katie Green, Madison Randl and Kathryn Desmier gave us some stunning vocal moments.

Ben Goldsbrough’s quiet and unassuming character charted perhaps the most poignant of the subplots, with a gorgeous transformation. Jake Binns set us on the right path with Prepare Ye.  Lovely moments from Sam Austin, Blake Douglas, Harrison Ion and Taye Grant.

This is an impressive young cast who delivered a stunning and much-talked-about show. It augers well for a superb final year at WAAPA.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath