DATE: Friday, June 13, 1997                 TAG: 9706120208

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 20   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: THEATER REVIEW 

SOURCE: Montague Gammon III 

                                            LENGTH:   81 lines

REAL TALENT, EAGER CAST FEATURED IN ``GODSPELL''

A genuinely enjoyable production of ``Godspell'' begins about 11 minutes after the house lights go out and the stage lights come on at the Association of Research and Enlightenment.

There's real talent on display in the eager cast, all of whom bring sincerity and commitment to a script that deserves its popularity.

Yet before the opening phrase of ``Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord'' sounds in the makeshift theater, the audience endures a singularly unimaginative presentation of quotations from Biblical paraphrase, Socrates, St. Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Neitzche, Sartre and Buckminister Fuller. These are recited by a chorus who, in a bit of astoundingly cliched staging, illuminate their faces with flashlights held beneath their chins, turning those flashlights on and off in unsubtle punctuation of their lines.

There may be no substantial reason not to set ``Godspell'' in the present and at the Great Pyramid of Giza, but neither is there any conceivable reasons to introduce the players as tourists visiting Egypt. This adds to the production only the conspicuous contrivance of awkwardly improvised dialogue about missed meetings and wayward tours, while diminishing the original concept and charm of the play.

Once all the philosophically muddled and artistically hackneyed introduction is over, Tim Ross begins the real ``Godspell.'' What should be the magical moment of his first note is probably the only fatality of the preceding directional self-indulgence.

Ross makes a very servicable John the Baptist, and later an interesting, rather thoughtful Judas. His shining performance comes in a countrified version of the parable of the Prodigal Son. The role of an improvident ``Bubba'' capitalizes on his flair for comedy. Angie Wilson, as Bubba's dutiful sibling, also shows her knack for caricature.

Lesa Azimi is also at her best in that same skit, playing the mother who welcomes Bubba back by killing the fat calf. Azimi's experience and native talent give her acting depth and texture throughout the show.

Chris Van Cleave plays Jesus, singing quite well and executing his part smoothly and with obvious competence. He maintains his deep and affectionately sincere air consistently, though some of his acting is noticeably gestural. He often relies on a pose of holding his arms out about waist high, palms up, to indicate a range of emotions.

The decision to garb Jesus in white, rather than in the jester's motley that is conventionally used in ``Godspell,'' might be seen as departing from the play's philosophy that includes Jesus in the group because of his humanity, rather than setting him apart for his divinity.

The small playlets that make up ``Godspell'' allow community performers to reach moments of artistic intensity that could rarely be sustained through a full length show. That moment may be as brief and intense as Rainbow Perry's farewell to Jesus before his crucifixion. In the time it takes to strike a crisp salute, she perfectly encapsulates the poignant inner struggle of a youngster trying so hard to be brave in the face of overwhelming sadness.

``CC'' Land has her moment leading ``Day by Day,'' and returns in ``By My Side'' for a particularly appealing duet with Carol Baraff. Kyle Rochette, yet another cast member with a flair for comedy, nicely carries off both his solo in ``Learn Your Lessons Well'' and his later reprise of the same song with Ani Crane.

Angel Baker gives ``Turn Back, O Man'' the fire and climax that the song needs. Ben Knick effectively presents ``All Good Gifts,'' one of the subtly difficult pieces in the show.

Sarah Anderson reveals a particularly good voice when she begins ``Bless the Lord,'' though the movements of the chorus behind her tend to steal attention from her. Jym Newton reveals late in the show a pleasant, clear voice when he leads ``We Beseech Thee.''

``Godspell'' is properly an ensemble piece, and it would be unfair to give the impression that each of these hard-working performers is only to be complimented for his or her work alone. They all team up to bring a lot of life to an enjoyable play. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

WHEN & WHERE

WHAT: ``Godspell,'' conceived by John-Michael Tebelak, music and

new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

WHO: A.R.E. Youth and Family Life Department

WHEN: June 20 and 21 at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Association for Research and Enlightenment, 67th Street

and Atlantic Avenue. Call 428-3588 Ext. 7323.

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