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Review

The gospel gets a modern twist in this hit 70’s musical when a group of kids gather in a graffiti-strewn alley and start giving their own takes on the stories of the New Testament. In the spirit of the idea, Christian Youth Theater and Director Travis Russell get the show updated even further – all the way to the 21st century. Thus the retelling of the various parables now includes skateboarders, boogie boards, Judge Judy, and, of course, cell phones.

The show is filled with a good variety of music, humor, and Sunday School lessons given in a slightly more lighthearted fashion than The Passion of the Christ. Some of the amusingly related skits include The Good Samaritan. In this case, the injured person is a school “brainiac” who gets robbed of his milk money and trashcanned by some popular students. He is then passed over or further humiliated by students, the janitor, and even the principal, until he is finally saved by a passing “nerd.” The roles are humorously performed, although unfortunately the ending sort of diminishes the moral of the story about loving your enemy. The brainiac should be saved by a natural enemy of a brainiac – not a nerd who is his natural ally. Another skit features a rich and spoiled princess who is forgiven her debts by her father after she maxes out her credit limit on manicures, hair highlights, cell phone bills, and enough shopping at Saks to have a floor named after her. Can she learn from this and be likewise merciful to her younger brother formerly known as “Prince”?

The show’s most creative, successful, and hilarious scene comes in the form of the The Prodigal “Surfer” Son. One son of a hang-loose Hawaiian family decides to take his inheritance now, pack it on his boogie board, and ride the waves to TJ (in this case, “the waves” he rides is a bunch of actors wearing blue baseball caps who lie in a row on the stage and roll in unison to propel the surfer on top of them across the stage). When the surfer dude blows his wad of cash in Mexico, he returns home to a father who welcomes his apologetic son back with open arms. After forgiveness is explained to the other son who didn’t understand why a party should be held for his wayward brother, everybody is happy and it’s luau time!

The music includes a great rendition of the play’s most popular number, Day By Day, sung by Jenny Heigold. Henry Metcalf and Erin Wuthrich perform a rousing We Beseech Thee. Lovely duets include Vanessa Girard and Julia Larson singing By My Side, and Lauren King and Anne Metcalf combining for On The Willows. Dawn Powell really heats the place up with a playfully sensual solo of Turn Back O Man. And Erika Jermasek lends her stunning voice and stage presence for a strong, soulful singing of O Bless the Lord. A great and enthusiastic ensemble elevates many of the musical numbers including Light of the World, All Good Gifts, and as a lively and entertaining backup to several of the soloists. The show concludes in a moving crucifixion of “The Messenger” (Paul Gaetke) who is tied to the alley’s chain-link fence.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill
~ Cast ~

Jake Abell
Ashley Avan
J.P. Boyd
Bran Carbaugh
Austin Cesear
Julia Colley
Krista Colley
Katharine Collinson
Juliana Elliott
Paul Gaetke (Jesus)
Nicole Gerard
Vanessa Gerard
Anissa Hanson
Jenny Heigold
Matthew Herman
Jeff Hicks
Alex Jermasek
Erika Jermasek
Trevor Jermasek
Kathryn Kiley
Christina Kilpatrick
Ryan Kindelan
Lauren King
Kelsey Knox
Julia Larsen
Anne Metcalf
Henry Metcalf
Joe Metcalf
Shelby Meyers
Cooper Peltz
Melissa Peltz
Michelle Peltz
Dawn Powell
Andrew Saunders
Nick Scutti
Jesse Smith
Dakota Speas
Allison Swanson
Grant Tudor
Patrice Watson
Erin Wuthrich

Director: Travis Russell
Musical Director: Sue Miller
Choreographer: Kristina Robbins
Sound Designer: Ken Miller
Lighting Designer: Travis Russell