Godspell (1971 Schwartz / Tebelak), musical

Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz (mus.) and John-Michael Tebelak (libr.).

Abstract

A group of youngsters meet in a high school playground and enact in song and story the last days of Jesus' life. The leader of the group refers to Jesus' mission to save the people, and the kids relate a number of parables in their own words.

Editions, performances

Godspell was first staged in 1970 as a play by John-Michael Tebelak. As a musical, it premiered in New York at Cherry Lane Theater on May 17, 1971, and in London at Wyndham's Theatre, on Nov 17, 1971. It was so successful in the 1970s that at one time seven different companies were touring the United States with the show. In 1973 director David Greene made it a movie, Godspell.

Performing History (major productions)

• Godspell (1971 Tebelak / @1971 Schwartz), New York (Off-Broadway) production, world premiere (musical)

• Godspell (1971 Tebelak / @1971 Schwartz), London (West End) production (musical)

• Godspell (1973 Greene / @1971 Schwartz), feature film (musical)

• Godspell (1976 Tebelak / @1971 Schwartz), New York (Broadway) production (musical)

• Godspell (1988 Scardino / @1971 Schwartz), New York (Off-Broadway) production (musical)

• Godspell (2000 Rozsa / @1971 Schwartz), New York (Off-Broadway) production (musical)

• Godspell (2011 Goldstein / @1971 Schwartz), New York (Broadway) production (musical) -- Hunter Parrish (Jesus) -- Wallace Smith (John-Judas)

• Godspell (2016 / @1971 Schwartz), Sydney production (musical) -- Sam Hile (Jesus)

• Godspell (2016 / @1971 Schwartz), Brazilian production (musical) -- Leonardo Miggiorin (Jesus)

External links

• Wikipedia