The 12
Music and Lyrics by Neil Berg
Book and Lyrics by Robert Schenkkan
Directed by John Doyle
Goodspeed Musicals
Through Oct. 29, 2023
By Lauren Yarger
A compelling story about religion without an agenda? In the
theater world,
this is nothing short of a miracle!
But with a book and lyrics by Robert Schenkkan, told to the
beat of a pop-rock score
and lyrics from Neil Berg, that is exactly what
Goodspeed Musical audiences witness
in The 12, a moving story of how
Jesus’s disciples walk through a journey of sorrow
and faith following his
death.
This tale, emotionally staged by Director John Doyle (who
doubles as scenic designer),
focuses on the disciples as they hide out in the
upper room (an abandoned industrial
space covered in graffiti) after the crucifixion
of Jesus (called Teacher, rather than by name).
They arrive devastated, angry,
uncertain and scared about what will happen to them if they
are identified as
being affiliated with Jesus. They have conflicts with each other, as well as
a
crisis of faith over the loss of their leader. For those not up to speed on who
the 12 were,
they are listed in a neat cheat sheet in the show program (which
offers more details than here):
- Andrew (Wonza Johnson), a fisherman
- “Bart” (Robert Morrison) a.k.a. Bartholomew
- James (Kelvin Moon Loh), brother of John
- “Jimmy” (Etai Benson) the other James, often called the brother of Jesus
- John (Kyle Scatliffe) brother of James
- Matt (F. Michale Haynie) the tax collector Matthew
- Pete (Akron Lanier Watson) Simon Peter, brother of Andrew
- Phil (Brandon J. Ellis) Philip, friend of Bartholomew
- Simon (Gregory Treco) the zealot
- “Tee” (Mel Johnson Jr.) a.k.a. Thaddeus
- “Tom” (Wesley Taylor) doubting Thomas
The action takes place after his death too – possibly at the hands
of one of the group.
The 12th disciple completing a last-supper tableau, subtly created by Doyle, is Mary
Magdalene (Adrienne Walker), called “Mags” by Jimmy, who might be more than just
a friend, and the rest. In a nice choice, Mary, the mother of Jesus (Rema Webb), also gets
some stage time and the two women have some of the most moving and melodic songs
of the production.
Mags sings:
So much pain
Heart so sore
Thoughts so bleak
Please, no more.
Neared his tomb
Lightening flashed;
Heard a savage roar.
The earth rose up!
An awful sound.
Choked by dust
Fell to the ground.
I heard the stones go crashing by;
Terrified that I would die.
The shaking stopped
Then broke the dawn
Revealed his grave -
The rock was gone.
Powerful stuff in there.
The storytelling, even with some more modern elements like
guitars on stage and police
sirens blaring while the disciples wear more modern
looking clothing in dark hues
(Ann Hould-Ward, costumes), never loses its way
because it stays anchored in the scriptures
and pure human emotion to which
everyone can relate. Who hasn’t suffered a devastating
loss? Who hasn’t felt betrayed?
Who hasn’t felt terrified of what lies ahead? If you ever have
experienced a
real-life nightmare from which you can’t awaken, you’ll relate to the emotions
being expressed by each character. Excellent storytelling by Schenkkan (who has
a Pulitzer
for The Kentucky Cycle and a Tony for All the Way.)
This also isn’t a feel-good, just-have-faith tale either.
There is no attempt to convert or
condemn. Much like God himself, the creators
of this work give free choice. What you
believe is up to you (and this show will
unlikely offend regardless of what religion you
follow). Instead, they offer a
genuine story of human emotion and the search for something
in which to believe,
then cling to, even when faith has been dashed. Despite their renewed
hope, the
disciples are very much aware of the price they will pay for following their
beliefs.
When they leave the safety of their hideout to go out into the world
to share their faith, it’s an
inspiring moment, thanks to the direction of Doyle
who brings his Tony-award-winning
experience -- and apparently some long-ago
hopes of becoming a priest -- to this project.
Honesty, I kept
waiting for the story to veer off in the way most Christian-hostile theater
does: Jesus and Mary Magdalene were lovers and had a child; Jesus never claimed
to be
the son of God or was illegitimate and it all was a ruse by Mary to avoid
hide her
pre-wedding sexual activity; Jesus didn’t really rise from the dead
and the disciples
carried out a hoax, etc. But it never did. And Thomas, with
his many doubts and questions,
gives a voice to those watching who might be
skeptical, whether or not they come from a
believing background:
·
“Where’s the proof?”
·
“Could have been a coincidence…”
· “What if he made a mistake?"
- "Why did he have to die?"
The 12 is a Godspell/Jesus
Christ Superstar for a new generation. It had a successful run
in Denver,
where it won a Henry Award for Outstanding New Musical. You can catch it
at Goodspeed in East Haddam, CT through Oct.
29. Or, if prayers are answered, perhaps
someday on Broadway.
Additional credits: Greg Jarrett, Music
Supervisor/Orchestrator; Adam Souza, Music
Director; Ben Covello, Associate Music
Director; Japhy Weideman, Lighting Designer;
Jay Hilton, Sound Designer.