The 12 at Goodspeed Opera House

A Zesty Musical

By: Karen Isaacs - Oct 13, 2023

 

 

A revered leader has been killed. Riots are taking place in the city. Supporters of the leader are in jeopardy of their lives. What do the devoted supporters do?

It could be “ripped from the headlines” of contemporary events. But the new musical at Goodspeed through Sunday, Oct. 29 is actually set 2000 years ago.

A revered leader has been killed. Riots are taking place in the city. Supporters of the leader are in jeopardy of their lives. What do the devoted supporters do?

It could be “ripped from the headlines” of contemporary events. But the new musical at Goodspeed through Sunday, Oct. 29 is actually set 2000 years ago.

The 12 looks at the immediate days following the crucifixion of Jesus through the eyes of his Apostles. Scared, uncertain, questioning.

How do they stay safe? What should they do? What do they really believe?

It may have a religious backdrop, but this musical by Robert Schenkkan (book and lyrics) and Neil Berg (music and Lyrics), takes it to another level.

These aren’t the vague figures we may have learned about. Schenkkan and Berg have created living, breathing people who argue with each other, jockey for position, and come to blows.

I was moved by the story of these very human people as each faces this crisis that reveals their doubts, insecurities, and failings.

This isn’t the inspirational and amplified sound of Jesus Christ, Superstar or the softer musical pastiche of the ‘70s Godspell.

The music combines genres; it includes numbers inspired by folk, contemporary, rap, gospel and even Broadway show tunes.

Thankfully, it is not over-amplified. This lets you hear more of the lyrics and to not feel overwhelmed by noise.

Director John Doyle is known for having actors also play musical instruments. It keeps in check in this production; only two of the Apostles play guitar. He is also known for his effective use of movement and subtlety to tell a story. Both are on  full display here.

The set suggests an empty warehouse in an urban environment. It has corrugated steel, large garagelike doors that swing open, and graffiti on the walls.

The show opens with the entire group arriving a few at a time. Outside, you hear the noise of crowds. These men are afraid for their lives; each time someone knocks at the door, they hesitate. What if it is an enemy coming to capture or kill them? In fact, one member, Tee, arrives injured and seems to slip into a coma.

At times, it is easy to be confused by which is which. A few stand out because of their stories – Tee, played with calmness by Mel Johnson, Jr. because, towards the end, he relates the horrible dream he has had that describes the terrible fate awaiting them.

Wesley Taylor as Tom, who we know better as “Doubting Thomas” prods and pushes them with his doubts. He also has two solos, “Give Up” and “Your Own Way” that Taylor performs with charm. But in the end we see that his doubts are really more fears.

Pete (Simon Peter) is the counterweight to Tom. Akron Lanier Watson’s performance shows why Peter was referred to as “the rock,” though at the time, he denied Jesus three times. Gregory Treco plays Simon (often referred to as the Zealot) as the pugnacious man ready to fight anyone.

The show includes two women: Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, here called Mags. She joins the others in the hideout. She points out that it was the men who abandoned Jesus; it was the two women who stayed behind. It is Mags who goes out to find and bury his body, only to report that the stone no longer blocks the opening of the tomb, and it is empty.

Adrienne Walker is touching as Mags, a woman whose past follows her. It is she who chastises the others for some of their doubts in “What Kind of Friends” and “I Did.” Rema Webb is Mary, who at the finale is left alone on the stage.

The finale of the show reinforces its power. It begins with Tee’s statement about what will happen to Mags after he has described the terrible deaths the others will face. He tells her that she will be erased from the story.

The show ends with “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” and the song, “Our Love” before only Mary is standing on the stage.

A six-piece off-stage combo performs fine orchestrations. Adam Souza and Greg Jarrett have provided compelling harmonies for the many ensemble numbers.

With the terrific scenic design by director John Doyle, credit must be given to lighting designer Japhy Weidman and sound design by Jay Hilton.

The 12 may be a story about the apostles and religion, it is much more than that. It is a story of belief, grief, doubt and confusion.

Go see it.

For tickets, visit Goodspeed.org.

This content is courtesy of Shore Publications and Zip06.com

al by Robert Schenkkan (book and lyrics) and Neil Berg (music and Lyrics), takes it to another level.

These aren’t the vague figures we may have learned about. Schenkkan and Berg have created living, breathing people who argue with each other, jockey for position, and come to blows.

I was moved by the story of these very human people as each faces this crisis that reveals their doubts, insecurities, and failings.

This isn’t the inspirational and amplified sound of Jesus Christ, Superstar or the softer musical pastiche of the ‘70s Godspell.

The music combines genres; it includes numbers inspired by folk, contemporary, rap, gospel and even Broadway show tunes.

Thankfully, it is not over-amplified. This lets you hear more of the lyrics and to not feel overwhelmed by noise.

Director John Doyle is known for having actors also play musical instruments. It keeps in check in this production; only two of the Apostles play guitar. He is also known for his effective use of movement and subtlety to tell a story. Both are on  full display here.

The set suggests an empty warehouse in an urban environment. It has corrugated steel, large garagelike doors that swing open, and graffiti on the walls.

The show opens with the entire group arriving a few at a time. Outside, you hear the noise of crowds. These men are afraid for their lives; each time someone knocks at the door, they hesitate. What if it is an enemy coming to capture or kill them? In fact, one member, Tee, arrives injured and seems to slip into a coma.

At times, it is easy to be confused by which is which. A few stand out because of their stories – Tee, played with calmness by Mel Johnson, Jr. because, towards the end, he relates the horrible dream he has had that describes the terrible fate awaiting them.

Wesley Taylor as Tom, who we know better as “Doubting Thomas” prods and pushes them with his doubts. He also has two solos, “Give Up” and “Your Own Way” that Taylor performs with charm. But in the end we see that his doubts are really more fears.

Pete (Simon Peter) is the counterweight to Tom. Akron Lanier Watson’s performance shows why Peter was referred to as “the rock,” though at the time, he denied Jesus three times. Gregory Treco plays Simon (often referred to as the Zealot) as the pugnacious man ready to fight anyone.

The show includes two women: Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, here called Mags. She joins the others in the hideout. She points out that it was the men who abandoned Jesus; it was the two women who stayed behind. It is Mags who goes out to find and bury his body, only to report that the stone no longer blocks the opening of the tomb, and it is empty.

Adrienne Walker is touching as Mags, a woman whose past follows her. It is she who chastises the others for some of their doubts in “What Kind of Friends” and “I Did.” Rema Webb is Mary, who at the finale is left alone on the stage.

The finale of the show reinforces its power. It begins with Tee’s statement about what will happen to Mags after he has described the terrible deaths the others will face. He tells her that she will be erased from the story.

The show ends with “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” and the song, “Our Love” before only Mary is standing on the stage.

A six-piece off-stage combo performs fine orchestrations. Adam Souza and Greg Jarrett have provided compelling harmonies for the many ensemble numbers.

With the terrific scenic design by director John Doyle, credit must be given to lighting designer Japhy Weidman and sound design by Jay Hilton.

The 12 may be a story about the apostles and religion, it is much more than that. It is a story of belief, grief, doubt and confusion.

Go see it.

For tickets, visit Goodspeed.org.

This content is courtesy of Shore Publications and Zip06.com