YES!!!!!!

SLAMMIN'!!!!! This lady writes rough reviews and hardly ever stays for the whole show, she stayed until the end, transfixed!!! WHOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!

Rockin' the gospel


By Marcie Miller
Prepare ye to be entertained. Whidbey Playhouse’s performance of “Godspell” is two hours of joyous celebration of the Gospel according to St. Matthew.
If you’ve been to Bible school, you know the plot. In this 1970s era version Jesus wears a Superman T-shirt, and the flower children-like disciples sport a rainbow of colorful costumes. In between songs Jesus alternately cajoles and chastises his followers, deftly weaving in familiar parables and psalms.
Mary Lou Chandler, in her directorial debut, along with Rusty Hendrix, has assembled an impressive cast for this upbeat musical, but it almost took a miracle.
The parts were cast and rehearsals began in November, but they still had no Jesus, which is of course, the main part. Chandler said she even considered casting a female in the role, as far more women than men auditioned for any of the 11 roles.
“I thought, ‘Is Oak Harbor ready for a female Jesus?’”
Then, rehearsals were interrupted by a fire in the light booth, and working around the Nutcracker production December.
“It was one challenge after another,” Chandler said.
One month into rehearsals, Fernando Duran answered Chandler’s prayers, and took the role of Jesus.
Duran is a professional actor who divides his time between his two loves — Hollywood and his family in Oak Harbor.
Duran said he was at first reluctant to take the role, having just performed two musicals. He told Chandler that if she couldn’t find anyone for the role, he would do it, but he was going to Arizona and wouldn’t be back until well after rehearsals started.
When he returned the role was waiting for him, and Chandler said he has fit right in with the cast.
“It just jelled the first night,” she said. “He was the catalyst that brought it all together.”
The role of Jesus requires both a strong singing voice, and a strong sense of religious conviction.
Duran has both, and preaches to his followers like he really means it. And he does.
He is a member of Living Word Church, and said he became a Christian at 13.
“Playing the role of Jesus is awesome,” he said. “I feel like God has given me a gift for acting, and now I’m giving back.”
Duran plays the charismatic leader well, and his disciples reflect their adoration in song, dance and celebration.
“Godspell,” by John Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz, was a huge hit in the 1970s, with more than 2,600 performances worldwide. “Day by Day” became an international hit, but it’s the prophetic “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” that will raise the hair on your arms.
In the Whidbey Playhouse production the song booms out from the back of the darkened hall, thanks to Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Curran, who plays both John the Baptist and Judas. As John the Baptist he lead the singing group from the back of the hall and onto the stage.
Curran, wearing a red “Make Love Not War” T-shirt, brings considerable acting experience to his dual roles, including productions at the Dillard School for the Performing Arts and Marquette University.
He jokes that he joined the Navy when he realized he was not a good enough waiter to make a living as an actor. His wife, Dawn Curran, is Godspell’s musical director.
One of the highlights of the play is a burlesque version of “Turn Back, O Man,” by Oak Harbor native Dulcey White Lovell. She has performed with Whidbey Playhouse since she was a child, and is obviously very comfortable on stage. She has developed a fine voice over the years, and belts out this tune while teasing the audience with a red feather boa.
Other cast members are Nicole Bouvion, Isaac Johnson, Destiny Kelly, Gwendolyn Oest, Karol White, who is also the choreographer, Kathryn Young, and Charisse Berner. Berner’s daughter Amelia, 7, makes her first Whidbey Playhouse appearance in a cameo role as a marionette.
Charisse Berner is familiar to many as the Oak Harbor School District director of curriculum, but she was a music teacher for 18 years.
Like many of her cast mates, Godspell has special meaning for her. In 1973 she was a featured soloist in a Bellevue Jr. High Choir’s recording of Godspell. While she has been active in music all her life, her last role was as Mary Magdalene in a high school production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Godspell marks her return to the stage, where she plays guitar and sings a lovely version of “By My Side” with Karol White.
With work and family, the rehearsal schedule has been tough, she said. They have been practicing four times a week, three hours at a stretch since November, and the pace has picked up with opening night approaching.
At dress rehearsal last week there were only a few minor glitches, easily smoothed over by the enthusiasm and professionalism of the actors.
A special treat is the addition of a live band, with Dave Willis on bass, Bruce Hutcherson on drums, Judy Magison on guitar and Dawn Curran on piano.
Go to church on Sunday, but first go to “Godspell.” Both are good for your soul.
See the show
“Godspell” opens Friday, Jan. 23, at the Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., and runs Thursday through Sunday until Feb. 14. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14 adults, $10 youth age 4 to 17. No children under 4 please. Saturday, Jan. 24, is Bargain Night, with all tickets $2 off. Groups of 10 or more receive a $1 per ticket discount any night.
Call the box office at 679-2237, or go to www.whidbeyplayhouse.com.