‘Godspell’ refreshingly modern

Have it be known to the Santee population, and any theater lovers, that a new theater team is in the Santee house. Their talents, music and wit are to be appreciated.

Amphitheaters were created for performances like the one done by the San Diego Christian College’s Performing Arts Department’s musical production of “Godspell.” And the students gave many people in Santee a glimpse of its collective talent at the amphitheater in at the Santee Trolley Square March 26-29.

Have it be known to the Santee population, and any theater lovers, that a new theater team is in the Santee house. Their talents, music and wit are to be appreciated.

Amphitheaters were created for performances like the one done by the San Diego Christian College’s Performing Arts Department’s musical production of “Godspell.” And the students gave many people in Santee a glimpse of its collective talent at the amphitheater in at the Santee Trolley Square March 26-29.

The musical is structured around  parables from the gospel of Matthew, interspersed with modern music, props and a little inside humor.

What Dr. Paul Russell, supervising director, who first asked if the students wanted to do a medieval themed production, followed the student’s idea in producing a witty, hipster-updated version. Russell and his team of directors and assistant directors (Larry Wilson, Jenna Deibert, Ryan McDonald, and Caleb Craig) utilized skilled physical and verbal comedy, and musical ump to thoroughly entertain.

This musical was performed with actors rotating biblical characters right and left and then right again. But there was no mistaking the talent in this young troupe.

In theme of the story, it is difficult to say Judas (Ryan McDonald) was great, but McDonald delivered the role spectacularly in both music and rhyme. Chontrelle Crite hit her musical marks despite the disadvantages in an outdoor amphitheater. Her voice soared with “All Good Gifts” and “By my Side.”

Jesus, played by Brad Thuerbach, can dance, sing and has an innate way of pulling in the audience. His casting was perfection in choice, with his demeanor adding to the character of Jesus. Along with McDonald they knocked out “All for the Best,” a demanding song to sing in any arena due to its complex timing and its aggregated speed.

All of the students lent their own set of skills to the production but Kayla Geleynse moved fluidly in the dance scenes and sobbed believably in the crucifixion scene. She commanded the stage with “Learn your Lessons Well.”

Costumes, like a Seattle backpack laden college look, pulled the production from old school hippie to credible hipster style.

Choreographer Ariana Ramirez was crafty and witty in her dance and movement ideas. Students used their bodies as instruments to show not only chorus line sophistication but had sheep and cows (students) equally choreographed in movements tapping into even more slapstick body humor.

Cell phones, selfies, Italian swag, rap swag, farm animal swag, and general visual wit were incorporated into every nook and cranny of this production. Lighting designer Curtis Mueller is to be credited as well for working with natural, outdoor light and transitioning to the dark smoothly. Set designer Trevor Cruse also made the most of the stone multi-level performing space even providing a way for Jesus to resurrect in a magical way using a prop.

Kimco Realties and Santee Trolley Square provided the amphitheater free to the school while the college’s future theater is still under construction.