We watched Fresno State’s “Godspell” together and we found it to be lively, thoughtful and full of surprises. Here is how each of us experienced the show.
Paige’s Review:
The Fresno State department of Theatre and Dance’ production of “Godspell” brings bright colors, bold costumes and nonstop energy. From the opening moments, the cast fills the stage with movement, humor and emotion, giving the classic musical a fresh, youthful feel.
What makes this production shine is how well it balances comedy, sincerity and storytelling. The cast uses quirky humor, playful gestures and modern references to make the parables feel current and easy to connect with. Instead of simply telling the stories, they perform them in ways that invite the audience to laugh, react and follow along.
The ensemble carries the show with impressive commitment, showcasing sharp and jaw-dropping vocals. Every performer maintains high energy from start to finish, and their ability to remember long passages and choreography without a single break is genuinely remarkable.
Songs like “Day by Day,” “O Bless the Lord” and “All Good Gifts” become some of the most memorable moments of the night. “Day by Day” blends angelic vocals with smooth group choreography that feels joyful and uplifting. “O Bless the Lord” becomes a showstopper thanks to the singer’s rich, expressive voice. “All Good Gifts,” performed with warmth and sincerity, is the kind of song you’d want to listen to again on its own.
Everyone in the cast brings strong vocal talent, but actors Catricia Alvarez, Grant Wilkins and Diego J. Sosa stood out to me with their bold voices. Every performer commits fully. They ate and left no crumbs.
Even with its heavier themes, the show remains accessible through its humor and lively staging. The dance numbers are fun and energetic. \
The choreography is one of the strongest elements of the show. High kicks during the group numbers elevate each scene into something visually exciting. Many moments feel almost concert-like, especially as the cast’s voices soar together.
The crucifixion scene is especially memorable. It’s staged with a rock-and-roll edge that adds intensity and emotion while still matching the show’s theatrical style. The moment lands with real weight, capturing grief, sacrifice and hope all at once.
What ultimately sets “Godspell” apart is how genuinely entertaining it is. It’s funny, thoughtful, weird, uplifting and emotional all at once. Themes of love, forgiveness, compassion and conflicting worldviews come through clearly and feel relevant to modern audiences.
Roxana’s Review:
The Fresno State Theatre and Dance department’s take on “Godspell” is a performance that lights you up inside and leaves you quietly thinking on the drive home. It resembles a theme of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The costumes were very casual and easy to read. I recognized shoes like Converse, Doc Martens, Reebok and white Air Forces. What stood out to me the most was Jesus’ distinguished look. Imagine if Rodrick from Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Jesus had a baby. Despite the cast’s modern looks, the characters remained in their element. Jesus even used a Reebok shoe in a reference as a theme of ‘rejoice.’
Once I noticed the comforting costumes, I instantly saw the volume of graffiti throughout the church altar stage setup — peace signs, smiling faces and hidden text. Some of the quotes written in graffiti on the set included “no justice no peace” and “people before profit”.
My favorite acts of the play were relatable and rebellious. The company acted out Noah’s Ark as Jesus was preaching, and I couldn’t stop laughing. The performers all began acting as animals (elephants, monkeys, etc) and shouted out their appropriate sounds. The peak of this act was when the females of the company began to dance when Jesus announced the verse of “women will be grinding at the mill.” The male performers also participated in the bold and fun movements. Judas in particular was seen twerking in the back during various of Jesus’ other lessons.
What stood out the most was the young cast and collection of Gen Z catered humor. During the beginning of the play, the young company is recording Jesus and taking selfies with him as he is speaking for the first time. Some of the cheesiest Gen Z moments are when Catricia Alvarez was “waiting to get crypto” when begging for forgiveness from Jesus. During the song, actor Liv Monson flirts with a company member by wanting his socials, “You’re cute, can I get your Snap later?”
The hilarious moments made room for the audience to pay more attention to the deeper and more serious scenes. The crucifixion scene was raw and compelling. The company quickly betrays Jesus, turning the organized altar into a setting like “The Conjuring,” with benches flipped over. After Judas returns, they hang Jesus on the cross and mourn his presence. The room was silent and heavy.
The announcement of the last-minute understudy shaped my final takeaway of the show. The director proudly announced that Grant Wilkins took on the remarkable role of Judas, one hour before the live performance. Grant’s role in the playbill was for the Baptist. However, watching the performance live, I truly did not notice the missing Baptist from the acts. All the performers poured their energy into matching their character.
Fresno State’s “Godspell” was vibrant, well-performed and packed with unforgettable musical moments. It’s the kind of production that shows just how much talent and creativity the theatre department brings to the stage. We thought that “Godspell” is a theatrical must-watch that resembles a new generation’s perspective of art and storytelling. Up next is the Contemporary Dance Ensemble, scheduled for Feb. 13-21, 2026.
