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Goddess at Berkeley Rep (but soon Broadway)
Posted by: TheaterGoer 07:57 pm EDT 08/28/22

Went to opening night of Goddess at Berkeley Rep earlier this week (along with Daveed Diggs and Lapita Nyong’o!) and while the book needs some major tightening and clarity (as opposed to the rethinking so many new musicals get called out for these days), i haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

Musically it is a flat out thrilling score of Afro-jazz / pop musical blend that is brilliantly performed—the opening number was one of the most exciting and audience rousing I’ve since since… I can’t remember. It has a slew of Broadway backers behind it (including many of the Hadestown producers) and whenever it gets there, Amber Iman and PhIllip Johnson Richardson will be critical / audience faves. Iman was channeling the love child of Sade, Anita Baker and Alicia Keys and doing vocal work that was just crazy thrilling.

The reviews were all positive with acknowledging the book work that needs to happen, but also the thrill of seeing something totally new arriving. It’s not a fair comparison, but, to me, it was akin to seeing Once On This Island in early previews (the original production) and loving a spiritual and emotional take on a straightforward fable but with a look and sound I’d not seen on Broadway. Curious to watch this one move forward!

Link to the digital program below (BRT has done away with printed programs)
Link Goddess digital program
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well, if your aim was to raise interest in this production...
Posted by: DistantDrumming 02:32 am EDT 08/30/22
In reply to: Goddess at Berkeley Rep (but soon Broadway) - TheaterGoer 07:57 pm EDT 08/28/22

...BULLSEYE! I loved Saheem Ali's direction of Fat Ham, the subject matter and the musical style of great interest and I love that the composer is a genuine COMPOSER with real bonafides as opposed to a washed up pop star whose best days are behind them (not naming any names!)

Do we think a Broadway transfer is a real possibility or is a NY repertory company or Off Broadway production (like at the Public) more likely? Either way, I'm intrigued and hope there will be future productions. Thanks for the heads up on this one!
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re: Goddess at Berkeley Rep (but soon Broadway)
Posted by: Guillaume 12:21 am EDT 08/29/22
In reply to: Goddess at Berkeley Rep (but soon Broadway) - TheaterGoer 07:57 pm EDT 08/28/22

Thanks for the link to that program -- I was very excited to see that a lot of the creative team also worked together on that fantastic Merry Wives in Central Park. Can't wait to see their new work in New York!
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