Word: smiley
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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Except for a loose portrayal of the life of Jesus, there is no progressive plot to speak of. Also, with the exception of the central Jesus-figure played by Shar Van Boskirk '97, the characters are a featureless succession of disciples and smiley dancers...
...second act, the playwright seems to realize that the needs some kind of plot to end the play. So when the audience returns from intermission, "Godspell" ceases to be just smiley, insipid lessons and becomes a more foreboding graphic representation of the life of Jesus, replete with the Last Supper, Betrayal of Judas, and Crucifixion. The change in tone appears inappropriate, overly-contrived and unbelievable. The lack of character development and believable dramatic acting from the previously-perky cast prevents the audience from sympathizing with the characters. While the cast members were shedding laughably phony tears, the audience...
...theatre-goer. While the upbeat banality may be fun for a few songs, one quickly tires of squinting at the sunny spirits on stage. One can only remain attentive to hunky-dory plasticity for so long. If you like cheesy rock music, syrupy songs, a lot of smiley dancing and college kids dressed like pre-schoolers, "Godspell" is the show for you. But if you value plot and character development, dramatic acting and songs that won't give you a toothache, you may want to pass on this production...
...scarlet letter. The same can hardly be said of the makers of the latest screen adaptation of The Scarlet Letter, who are taking heat for the happy ending tacked on to Nathaniel Hawthorne's immortal bummer--only the latest misadventure in a centuries-old tradition of slapping a smiley face on downbeat classics...
...jotted "party favors?" and directed that his hearse should be made to "look ridiculous" and his casket covered with smiley faces, in order to "foil Satan's ploy" of making death a somber, black event...