THEATER REVIEWS : A Free-Spirited Production of ‘Godspell’

“Godspell,” an earlier form of the word “gospel,” is really a very medieval piece of work, like stained-glass windows and mystery plays. All three aim at explaining complex ideas with simplicity. “Godspell” is St. Matthew’s Gospel according to commedia dell’arte.

Director Gigi Parker catches on to the idea just right in her Costa Mesa Youth Theatre staging at Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse. And her teen-age cast has a ball with the show’s rhythms and melodious flower-power, its joy and its jokes.

Her set, designed by David Hudnall, is a playground with swings, a slide and a seesaw, wooden planks and a rope bridge. The kids act like kids, tripping each other up, knocking one another off the rides. Then, during the opening number, “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” it dawns on them that something important is happening. Jesus is about to arrive.

Sean Williams is Jesus, and a laid-back, smiling prophet he is. Williams has a good voice that he doesn’t often let out to its fullness. When he does, it’s impressive. He also has an infectious sense of humor. When Jesus claims he can read feet and looks at the sole of a shoe, his straight-faced answer--”It says ‘Reebok’ “--couldn’t be delivered with more aplomb.

Everyone else in the ensemble assumes various roles, and they also assume the right late-’60s flavor in the songs, with some vocal standouts: Elizabeth Rey’s brassy “Learn Your Lessons Well,” Tara Filowitz’s powerful “Oh, Bless the Lord, My Soul,” Jennifer Gonzalez’s torchy “Turn Back, O Man” and Geoff Grotz’s swinging “We Beseech Thee.”

One of the best voices, not used enough, belongs to Peter Deutschman, who sings all too briefly in the reprise of “Learn Your Lessons Well.” And the youngest member of the group, Carl Asencio, delivers “All Good Gifts” solidly, with a voice of fascinating and attractive timbre. His sound is refreshingly unusual, and his sense of sheer fun a big plus.

*

The simplicity of Mignonne Profant’s choreography suits the show and its performers, particularly during the moment in “We Beseech Thee” when the whole cast suddenly forms a sort of Rube Goldberg locomotive. It’s the high point of the production.

Rob Blaney’s musical direction is lively but could be pepped up even more with these young performers. This is a talented group, and the spirit in which they approach a deceptively easy show is remarkable.

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“Godspell,” Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa. Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $5. (714) 650-5269. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes. A Costa Mesa Youth Theatre production of John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz’s musical, produced by Nancy Zelonka. Directed by Gigi Parker. With Sean Williams, Elizabeth Rey, Carl Asencio, Geoff Grotz, April Madigan, Tara Filowitz, Jennifer Gonzalez, Shannon Armstrong, Peter Deutschman and Keith Hancock. Musical direction: Rob Blaney. Choreography: Mignonne Profant. Scenic design: David Hudnall. Lighting design: Leslie Barry. Stage manager: Dan Gonzalez.