Godspell

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dr.Colossus
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Yes, the actor that portrays John the Baptist traditionally portrays Judas.

We can all read symbolism into it, but I’ll bet you that it was originally done to save money! After all, when you see the show, The Producers, it looks like there are dozens of old ladies, stage hands, bystanders, etc, but they are all played by the same actors. Must be fun for them doing so many parts in one show!

The two parts are completely different. I’ve never heard any commentary that John the Baptist is supposed to turn into an evil person, etc. I honestly think it’s just doubling up on roles.
 
Today, for some reason, the popular musical Godspell popped into my mind.

35 years ago, I first saw and fell in love with this musical
at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC.

4 years later I had the pleasure and honor ( I feel ) of performing in it.

Has anyone else here ever performed in a production
of GODSPELL ?

My favorite songs are:
Prepare Ye (the way of the LORD),
By my Side
We Beseech Thee, Hear Us
All Good Gifts
and the Finale.

I also like ON THE WILLOWS, but since that’s the scene
where “Jesus” says goodbye to all his disciples, that one makes
me want to sob, too.

Any other Godspell fans?
God bless,
Jaypeeto4
+JMJ+
 
hi,
I have never performed , but I am a huge fan of GODSPELL. I saw a play of it when I was in Junior High, approximately 1975-1976. Then our local theatre put on the musical about ten years ago, and then again this summer! I love it so much, I actually feel it is a spiritual experience. I am convicted of sin, and then again of God’s love. It is a beautiful play, and the songs are awesome. I also saw the movie, have the cassette, and have now recently bought the cd and listen to it often, and sing along! I love all those songs you listed and also Day by Day, actually all of them are fabulous. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
 
My school did that musical last year- I went twice:p Evidently, I enjoyed it.👍
 
I’m a fan. I’ve seen 3 different productions. Godspell can vary significantly depending on who is doing it which is why I enjoy it so. It lends itself to a variety of approaches; it can be very 'hippie" like the first ones seem to be or very modern.

Several years ago I was the light tech for a production. I tried out but wasn’t cast (I was told I was very close though:rolleyes:).

For those fans here, remember the scene that Jesus is singing “oh God…I’m dying”? The light cues I had were to go dimmer and dimmer and finally “off”. Every night, rehearsal or performance, I felt like I was “pulling the plug” on Jesus. It was gut wrenching.

Godspell ministered to me in a way nothing else was at the time. I think God uses any inroad to reach us. My journey toward a deepening of my Catholic faith began…well it was several months down the road but I can make connections between that production and my conversion.
 
I love GODSPELL! I saw my first production in 1982 or 83 and since then have seen several different productions.

I was performed a few years ago by my adult community theatre group. I don’t sing and I have two left feet but I was the stage manager.
 
I can’t sing or act so I’ve certainly never been in a production but I love both the play and the movie.

My favorite – “All for the Best.”
 
For any GODSPELL fans in UK, great new production of the show touring UK in 2008

Godspell UK Limited (with originating theatre The Key Theatre Peterborough) present

GODSPELL
THE MUSICAL

NOW TOURING THROUGH 2008

Conceived and originally directed by JOHN-MICHAEL TEBELAK
Music and New Lyrics by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

Following a highly successful autumn tour GODSPELL continues to tour through 2008. One of the most popular musicals ever written, Godspell explodes onto the stage in this new production directed by Paul Kerryson. See tour listing for dates

“Paul Kerryson’s high energy production is uplifting” (The Guardian)

A sensational cast includes TOM BRADLEY (ITV’s ‘Grease is the Word’ finalist) as Jesus with, SHARON CHERRY BALLARD, CHRISTOPHER BARTLETT, ADRIEN DALLER, TIFFANY GRAVES, YILDEZ HUSSEIN, LUCY KERRANS- HUNT, RICHARD MEEK and CRAIG PURNELL

“A script shot through with glorious humour” (Northern Echo)

GODSPELL features a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz and boasts a string of international hits including “Day By Day”, “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” and “By My Side”. Originally premiered in 1971 it became one of the biggest Broadway successes of all times with productions worldwide. The show, written by college student John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz (of Pippin, and more recently Wicked fame), went on to win rave reviews and a Grammy Award for Best Score

“Godspell and its superb cast have cast their spell, so go and let them put a spell on you!” (The British Theatre Guide)

GODSPELL directed by Paul Kerryson, musical director Colin Billing, designer Kate Unwin, lighting designer Jenny Kane

PAUL KERRYSON has directed a wide range of plays, new writing and musicals. He is currently the Artistic Director of an exciting new theatre building due to open in Leicester in 2008 having previously directed productions in Leicester, Manchester, Dublin, Birmingham and Chichester. Musical productions include many of the works of Stephen Sondheim, Kander and Ebb and Jerry Herman.

GODSPELL was originally produced on the New York Stage by Edgar Lansbury, Stuart Duncan and Joseph Beruh.

See websites www.target-live.co.uk and www.godspelluk.com

Tour Information Line - 01584 873912

Monday 21 – Saturday 26 January
BRIGHTON Theatre Royal Brighton
Box office 08700 606 650/Home - ATG - Ambassador Theatre Group

Tuesday 29 January – 2 February
CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre
Box Office 08700 40 2000/www.wmc.org.uk

Monday 4 - Saturday 9 February
DUNSTABLE Grove Theatre
Box Office 01582 60 20 80 /www.grovetheatre.co.uk

Monday 18 - Saturday 23 February
STOKE The Regent Theatre
Box Office: 0870 060 6649/www.theambassadors.com/regent

Monday 25 February - Saturday 1 March
HULL New Theatre
Box Office: 01482 226655/www.hullnewtheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 March 2008
BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion Theatre
Box Office 0870 111 3000/www.bic.co.uk

Monday 17 – Saturday 22 March
NORTHAMPTON Derngate Theatre
Box office 01604 624811/www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Monday 24 - Saturday 29 March
SCARBOROUGH Futurist Theatre
Box Office 01723 374500/01723 365789[www.futuristtheatre.co.uk](www.futuristtheatre.co.uk)

Monday 31 March – Saturday 5 April
EASTBOURNE Devonshire Theatre
Box Office: 01323 412000/www.eastbourne-theatres.co.uk

Further dates to be announced
 
It’s funny I see this post now, because I just recently unearthed my old audio tape collection and it includes my recording of Godspell from my roommate’s album. When I was a senior in high school in 1974, our chorus (public school!) performed the music of Godspell. I just love the music. The movie is very entertaining and touching. I showed it to my kids a couple of years ago and, of course, they thought it was kind of silly, but they liked it anyway. I saw a production of “Jesus Christ, Superstar” a year ago. I had never seen it before. I didn’t like the way it ended with the Crucifixion. It was anti-climactic and I felt like the show wasn’t done yet, even after the lights went on. In “Godspell” it ends with the Resurrection and I really appreciate that more than I did before seeing “Superstar”.
 
Love the stage production, but not a big fan of the movie. I teched for a couple of college productions in the 1970’s and for one production in 1980. We even had ‘By My Side’ sung out our wedding.
 
I’ve been a fan of Godspell for many years. I know all the songs by heart, (Movie version), and almost all the words of the movie. I got my opportunity in 1993 to perform in the stage production. Before that I never performed in the theater. I played the part of “Jeffery” and sang the song, “We Beseech Thee, Hear Us” It was a life long dream to perform on stage in Godspell. The only downer was that we did two performances. All that work and only two performances. (Apparently, the royalties are very expensive for multiple nights)
 
K-McD said:
I’ve been a fan of Godspell for many years. I know all the songs by heart, (Movie version), and almost all the words of the movie. I got my opportunity in 1993 to perform in the stage production. Before that I never performed in the theater. I played the part of “Jeffery” and sang the song, “We Beseech Thee, Hear Us” It was a life long dream to perform on stage in Godspell. The only downer was that we did two performances. All that work and only two performances. (Apparently, the royalties are very expensive for multiple nights)
Click to expand...
Yes, the royalties for that one are a killer for a small amateur group. But we did 4 nights and I had a ball at all 4.
 
I love Godspell also, and have performed in it more than once. Still sing along to my cassettte recording of a friend’s copy of the broadway cast LP! LOL

Just a note about Jesus Christ Superstar–it is a passion play–it is not meant to end with the resurrection. Although in the movie version if you stay through all the credits and watch the bus driving away, you will see a suggestion of the resurrection.
 
I think the play script needs to be changed around to reflect truthful behavior, but all in all I like it. I had the oppurnity to perform in it about 15 years ago.
 
I’ve always liked it. A fun play to do for a high school youth group. Songs are all great–and all straight out of scripture. Some jokes may need updating, but the basic script is also almost all from the Gospel of Matthew.
 
I saw the film Godspell recently. My brother played piano for his college’s rendition of the musical so he rented it.

Although it was unorthodox and really had no storyline, I really enjoyed viewing it. I got the soundtrack as well :]

I can NOT believe Victor Garber has changed that much!! In any case I loved him as our Lord Jesus.

The film reminded me that Jesus is a man of personal contact and care.

Has anyone seen it and has other opinions?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top