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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT
size=3>Mercury offers ‘Godspell’: the next generation <?xml:namespace prefix = o
ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT
size=3>News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times
Courier<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><SPAN
style="COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This
review appeared in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Times </I>papers
7/16/09</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT
size=3>In 1971, John-Michael Tebelak engaged in a mild form of blasphemy.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He transformed the Gospel of Saint
Matthew into an off-Broadway pop musical.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">The
musical, </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Godspell</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">,</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
depicted apostles as irreverent flower children in clown costuming, who <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">frolicked about the stage in a state of
childlike, unabashed joy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
cavorted, they game-played and, in the course of doing so, spouted
</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">puns, engaged in broad
slapstick humor, and acted out Biblical tales as told by a very playful Jesus in
rainbow suspenders and a </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Superman
“S” on his chest</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">In truth, the show
wa</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic">s
merely a collection of parables and wonderfully melodic tunes by</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
Stephen Schwartz,<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"> without much
connective storyline or character development.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was the brazen, good-natured
counterculture irreverence of these young actors that gave this show its
ambiance, charm and popularity among other young adults.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This show was a love
fest.</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Most
contemporary productions of </SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Godspell</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">attempt
to recreate that irreverence, and fail miserably.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic">Today’s generation of young adults tend to
be more cynical and self-conscious than their 1970’s counterparts.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Watching actors attempting to frolick
like their parents did in their youth is a charade and comes across as terribly
contrived.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><FONT
size=3>Although the story has not lost its charm, the message has not lost its
significance and the combination of soft rock, R&B and gospel music has not
lost its appeal, this show is woefully dated.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Its original spirit is lost and its soul
cannot be recaptured. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Unless,
of course, you are </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Pierre-Jacques Brault, the artistic
director of Mercury Summerstock and director/choreographer of its current
production of <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Godspell.</I>
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Mr. Brault has, himself,
committed a mild form of blasphemy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>He has tampered with this show’s script by transporting it into modern
times, infusing it with contemporary references to the news and new technology,
and drawing humor from today’s popular culture.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Employing his trademark imagination and
flair for creative interpretation, Mr. Brault has created a <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Godspell
2.0</I>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Godspell</I> is set in a library and
cleverly uses all its furnishings and properties as playthings.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These apostles reflect all that is
playful and irreverent in today’s young adults and embrace the spirit and soul
of their own generation.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This
production is still a love fest, but one tempered by our turbulent times and the
events that have come to define us. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Godspell</I> also touts a collection of
exceptionally talented performers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>As a collective whole, their voices bring intensity and texture to this
musical, and blend nicely with the four-piece orchestra under the direction of
Eddie Carney.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They flawlessly
execute all of Mr. Brault’s clever choreography and fill the stage with
unbridled energy and life.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Although an ensemble
production, this show is comprised of musical numbers that place individual
performers in the spotlight.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Here,
the very gifted Sara Masterson, Kate Michalski, Kelvette Beacham, Jen Myor,
Brian Marshall, Stewart Tabler and Shane O’Neill
shine.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Rounding out this
wonderful cast is Brett Parr, Molly Richards, W. Bryant Campbell,
Annie Hickey, and Andrew Miller.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Zach DeNardi is less of a singer and dancer than the others, but his
portrayal of Jesus is absolutely charming and endearing.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Audiences will leave this production
uplifted, potentially enlightened, and thoroughly entertained.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Godspell</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
is a story about love, forgiveness, morality and community and, thus, is still a
story worth telling.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, it is
worth telling now more than ever.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is being told very well in nearby Parma until July 25.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>