Provision Theater Company, a multi-Jeff nominated Equity Chicago theater company, is underway with one of the most popular rock musicals of all time, GODSPELL and the Chicago Theater critics love it. 
The groundbreaking, energetic production based on the Gospel of St. Matthew opened Saturday, August 14 and runs through September 26 at 1001 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Provision Theater Company Artistic Director Tim Gregory directs.
A celebration of worldwide community, packed with hit songs and irresistible goodwill, GODSPELL is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time, running for over 2,600 performances. The upbeat retelling of biblical parables is punctuated and amplified by a playful and poignant score by Stephen Schwartz (WICKED). Popular tunes like the international hit “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side” share messages of kindness, tolerance and love. GODSPELL is a recipient of a 1972 Grammy Award for Best Score from an Original Cast Show Album, and a 1977 Tony nominee for Best Original Score.
GODSPELL stars Syler Thomas as “Jesus” and Justin Berkobien as “John the Baptist/Judas”. Ensemble members include Maxwell Burnham, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Greg Foster, Sarah Grant, Frederick Harris, Richelle Meiss, Kevin O’Brien, Jennifer Oakley and Amy Steele.
WHAT ARE THE CHICAGO THEATER CRITICS SAYING?
Can Godspell remain relevant? In the hands of Provision Theatre’s extraordinarily talented director Tim Gregory, it can and does. Gregory’s staging and Amber Mak’s choreography are really the highlight of this production – CHICAGO THEATER BLOG
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Under the combined influences of Director Tim Gregory and Choreographer Amber Mak, the lively cast bounces on and off stage with limitless vigor. Alaric Rokko Jans orchestrates poignant harmony in some stand-out numbers, including “Day by Day” and “By My Side.” Playing God, Syler Thomas (Jesus) balances the humanity and divinity with a WWJD portrayal. The entire cast plays hard as a tight and colorful ensemble. They seem to be genuinely having fun together just hanging out which makes solo moments of song bursts that much more powerful. GODSPELL is an entertaining Jesus 101 course with memorable music to help See thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, Follow thee more nearly, day by day… - CHICAGO NOW BLOG
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Where this production shines most is the musical numbers because the cast is vocally adept, bringing great power and musicality to solos and cohesive blend to the chorus. The telling of the Passion is where this production succeeds because the beautiful blend of imagery, emotion, soundscape, and music created an amazingly impactful experience. Director Tim Gregory keeps the play ticking along at a fervent pace, never allowing space between the stories. The amount of additional props and costumes brought on are numerous, but never interrupt the flow of the show. To take a lyric from the show that’s “All for the Best” because I could see transitions being problematic, but in Gregory’s capable hands they are seamless. The set design of Inseung Park creates a wonderfully bare atmosphere that enables the kaleidoscope lighting design of Jared Moore to accent the space. …this show is worth seeing for the musical numbers alone and the feeling of joy and goodwill the show promises to bring. — CHICAGO CRITIC
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“Godspell” is a musical for everyone. Now that that has been stated, everyone should see this particular production by the Provision Theatre Company. Creatively directed by Tim Gregory, “Godspell” is fun, lively and has the audience clapping with the ensemble from the first number. Gregory superbly captures the youthfulness and energy of the original with well cast roles and is also able to successfully convey meaningful messages throughout the series of delivered parables in the midst of humorous punch lines and physical comedy. Doubling as “John the Baptist” and “Judas Iscariot”, Justin Berkobien excels in both roles thanks in part to a strong vocal performance. While Syler Thomas was aptly cast as “Jesus” bringing a softer and gentler voice to the stage, the ensemble as a whole really brings the show to life. An all-around outstanding performance by Tiffany Yvonne Cox epitomizes the essential of “Godspell”, blending earnest passion with joy, bliss, eagerness and curiosity. — BUZZ NEWS
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I found it to be an entertaining production and left the theater feeling good (and humming “Day by Day”) and isn’t that what theater is supposed to do? If you have never seen “Godspell” , this is a production worth seeing and at a very affordable price. — AROUND THE TOWN CHICAGO
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The show is at its best during its quieter moments, specifically during some of the solos; I particularly liked Amy Steele’s lovely rendition of “Day by Day.” Other standout vocal performances include Jennifer Oakley, Tiffany Cox and Syler Thomas, who plays Jesus. With its messages of peace, love and understanding, and an exuberant, if not always pitch-perfect cast, this is a good show for a family afternoon in the city. — MAKE IT BETTER NORTHSHORE
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Provision Theater’s production of “Godspell” is a rockin’ way for kids to hear all those tired, “be good” lines you’ve been yelling all summer – but in a fun, hyper-energetic musical they won’t tune out. If you haven’t been there before, Provision is a huge change from the jam-packed Broadway in Chicago shows downtown. Located on the edge of the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, the theater seats less than 200 people. Its casual approach to theater – our tickets were actually handwritten on index cards – belies the depth of talent you’ll see onstage. I’d recommend this show for the whole family. - CHICAGOPARENT.COM
