I have written several times this year about how much I enjoy an exposed set when I enter the auditorium, as it allows me to get some information about the story before the show even starts. It can also help set the pre-show mood. A set that does not communicate anything about the story is a lost opportunity. In this case, before the show even started, I was able to understand that we are on a college campus in current times. I could tell a protest recently took place. I really appreciated the level of detail, including “Black Lives Matter” flyers and Ukraine posters on the nearby community bulletin board. All of this detail let me know right away that concerned students and protestors in current times are a part of the story. I have seen many shows in this tiny, intimate venue, and this is perhaps the best use of the small space I have seen. It’s an impressive, detailed, and effective set given the space available.
Director Shannon Dowling has also included a lengthy Director’s Note in the program, which I highly recommend reading. For me, it is this cast and this creative team that makes this show an enjoyable experience. This cast’s presence and energy makes it clear they are thoroughly enjoying presenting what they have created.
I am a fan of Music Director Will Sanders, and I confess I sometimes glance over to watch him jamming out on his keyboard while he is leading this talented band. He is fun to watch. I especially enjoyed Cameron Schneider on guitar, and Stephen Schwartz would be proud. Peter Vosshall on bass and Toby Bruce on drums round out this quality band. What is also impressive is that the sound levels are appropriate and well balanced despite the challenging space. The cast does wear microphones, which is rare in this tiny venue, but it is important for them to do so, due to the live band nearby. I was pleased with the sound experience during the show.
From the start of the show until the very end, Carin Young puts on a clinic for musical theatre vocals, and she is always a delight to the ears. I have heard Carin sing many times, both in musicals and in karaoke, and this is some of her best work yet. Perhaps because I am not super familiar with the music, I was surprised a few times when Carin reached for and nailed difficult notes. It is a delight to experience Carin mastering Stephen Schwartz’s work, just as she does with Lady Gaga in karaoke.
Jacqueline Tardanico and Shannon Johnson as Jesus and Judas, respectively, are also a delight to the ears, as their vocals are also fantastic. They both always have outstanding presence, too, while they are singing and acting during their musical numbers.
Late in the show, Ava McCallum has a beautiful solo that reminds you that this entire cast is full of excellent singers. It makes sense, since director Shannon Dowling is also a vocal coach and of course would only have the best actors who are also the best singers in her cast.
Keaton Harper, Sriram Kanduri, Sarah Conte-Bacolini, and Abby Dickson are similarly excellent actors who happen to also be fantastic singers. This cast combined with Stephen Schwartz’s music and the band led by Will Sanders makes for a great night of musical enjoyment. At select performances, Shannon Dowling also performs, but she was not available to perform at the show I attended.
I also really enjoyed the costumes, designed by Dawn Janow. If you look closely, you will see that Jesus is wearing rainbow socks. As Jesus would.
I previously commented on the sound, and I also enjoyed the lighting. Eli Backer designed the lighting and sound. David Taft is the Clown Coach, Karly Crooks is the Stage Manager, and Sarah Conte-Bacolini is the Dance Captain. Choreography is by Philippa Myler. This entire creative team did very nice work.
Godspell produced by inD Theatre runs through November 2 at Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island.
See more show reviews from 2025.