The arts have always been a powerful platform for advocating social justice—and now seems to be a particularly timely moment to amplify marginalized voices. Under the leadership of artistic director Ryan Nuñez, Play On Words Productions has reimagined Godspell from a queer perspective. This biblical musical, which chronicles the last days of Jesus, has been creatively staged to shine a light on challenges faced by the queer community, including anti-trans hate, and stars drag king Genesis as Jesus. Performed at the Canadian Memorial United Church, the inventive setting is fitting, expressing the church’s support for the queer community. The show is also a great showcase for some excellent local talent.
Godspell premiered off-Broadway in 1971 and is set to a pop and contemporary musical theatre score by Stephen Schwartz (who also wrote the score for Wicked) and a book by John-Michael Tebelak. The show’s abstract structure gives directors ample room for creativity, and Nuñez takes full advantage, framing this production as a drag storytime. Leading the way with their larger-than-life presence, Genesis glows with kindness and warmth and sings superbly, delivering chills during their rendition of “Beautiful City”.
Genesis as Jesus. Photo credit: Owen CB Scott
The show unfolds as a series of parables, staged here with both comedic flair and thoughtful contemporary references. There are some entertaining musical numbers where cast members deliver Jacq Smith’s fun choreography with high energy and enthusiasm. In particular, the act one finale, “Light of the World”, is a crowd-pleasing standout, complete with acrobats from Jayka Mayne and playful commentary from Colton Bamber.
Maia Beresford brings depth and nuance to Judas, providing a strong counterbalance to Genesis’ Jesus. The pair’s duet, “All for the Best,” cleverly choreographed as a cabaret-inspired piece by Smith, brims with lighthearted fun, while Judas’ darker moments later in the show are delivered with poignant emotion by Beresford. Amanda Lourenço’s stunning soprano voice elevates her portrayal of John the Baptist, and the ensemble of Disciples delivers engaging performances throughout, particularly Ivania Delgado, whose fiery presence and powerhouse vocals are a highlight. Music director Kate McColl, along with keyboardist Mo (Ka-Wing) Yan and percussionist Jennifer Chen do an impressive job of playing the show’s score.
There’s a good use of the venue’s stage space, which offers sizable width and depth, and the multipurpose use of the set’s centrepiece, a tall ladder, allows for different levels, helping to keep the visuals interesting. The sound quality, however, poses an issue. While the church has great natural acoustics, it’s sometimes difficult to hear the performers, both in dialogue and singing (where they face the additional challenge of being heard over the music). On the bright side, while the songs all relate to the action that has come before, each song has a stand-alone quality and the lyrics aren’t essential in driving the story forward. What this means, is that if you miss a few lyrics here and there, it won’t affect your overall enjoyment of the show.
The cast and creative team of Godspell on opening night. Photo credit: @playonwordspro Instagram
Underneath it all, Godspell is arguably one of the most iconic “theatre kid” shows, as there are many numbers that allow cast members to shine vocally and through dance, as well as scenes where actors get to revel in everything from goofiness to powerful emotion. On opening night, this was all on display, accompanied by a genuine bond between the cast that was sweet and touching. Play on Words’ Godspell is as much a celebration of love and community as it is a rallying cry for justice.
Godspell, presented by Play On Words Productions, runs until November 17, 2024 at the Canadian Memorial United Church. Visit the show’s Eventbrite site for ticket information.