‘Godspell’ Breaks the Sound Barrier

Freed from the claustrophobic black tunnel of its Pasadena location, the Knightsbridge Theatre company inaugurates its second space with a promising, exuberant production of Dana Moran Williams’ signed and spoken-language adaptation of Stephen Schwartz’s “Godspell,” at the Knightsbridge Theatre Los Angeles--formerly the Colony Studio Theatre.

The cast fills Williams’ two-level stage with lovely harmonies and expansive choreography (by Jon Cohen) that breaks through the cramped feeling of previous Knightsbridge productions.

Deaf West’s recent “Oliver!” showed that musicals weren’t just for the hearing. Unlike the Deaf West production, Williams’ staging doesn’t split the acting and singing duties between two actors per role. Instead, different people voice each role. Some of them do their own signing; some speak while others sign.

In the opening song, Anthony Natale as Jesus signs while Beau Puckett, who will later portray Judas, sings. At the end of the number, Puckett stretches his arms out to form a cross--but whether Williams intended Puckett’s double casting to make a significant statement is unclear. However, most of the role sharing works.

At times the live music provided by musical director Debbie Lawrence and her fellow band members drowns out the soloists. While I can’t comment on the proficiency or emotional depth of the signing, the sound design could offer percussion cues to enhance the experience for the hearing-impaired. Occasionally, the physical gestures could be sharper, and some performers are better singers than actors. Despite its faults, this well-produced musical indicates new creative directions for Knightsbridge.

* “Godspell,” Knightsbridge Theatre Los Angeles, 1944 Riverside Drive, Silver Lake. Thursdays through Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Sept. 24. $18. (626) 440-0821. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.