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| re: Godspell and the Tonys | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 09:08 am EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Godspell and the Tonys - lordofspeech 08:57 am EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| I was at CMU when Godspell was a graduate directing project. It has a completely different score (except for the one song that remained, by Peggy Gordon). When Lansbury and Beruh came to CMU to see the show, they loved the whole idea, but lew it needed a new score. Stephen Schwartz was at CMY at the time, but had nothing to do with the original GODSPELL- which was actually called THE GODSPELL The show had an initial run at LaMama with the CMU score. Beruh and Lansbury had hrard some songs from Schwartz's PIPPIN, then a work in progress, and thought he'd be right for Godspell. The show that opened at Cherry Lane was a page one rewrite. | |
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| re: The Godspell at CMU - Image of the handbill from Dec 14, 1970 | |
| Last Edit: theaterluvr 12:01 am EDT 08/29/22 | |
| Posted by: theaterluvr (theaterluvr@optonline.net) 11:54 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Godspell and the Tonys - NewtonUK 09:08 am EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| Conceived and Directed by John-Michael Tebelak Music Composed by Duane Bolick I was a student at CMU in 1970. I attended what I believe was the single public performance of THE GODSPELL. NewtonUK, please correct me if I'm wrong I still have the 2-sided show program. Many on this board will recognize several of the names in the cast list. I emailed 2 images to Ann. I hope she will post them here. Or email me. |
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| re: The Godspell at CMU - Image of the handbill from Dec 14, 1970 | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 10:50 am EDT 08/29/22 | |
| In reply to: re: The Godspell at CMU - Image of the handbill from Dec 14, 1970 - theaterluvr 11:54 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| Hi. I was a student at CMU in 1970, as well. I believe Masters Thesis shows had only one performance - though it may have been 2. | |
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| Images | |
| Posted by: T.B._Admin. 07:50 am EDT 08/29/22 | |
| In reply to: re: The Godspell at CMU - Image of the handbill from Dec 14, 1970 - theaterluvr 11:54 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| re: Godspell and the Tonys | |
| Posted by: Theatergoer1978 06:40 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Godspell and the Tonys - NewtonUK 09:08 am EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| I never heard that backstory - didn't know the idea for the show didn't originate with Stephen Schwartz. Interesting. Whatever you may think of the show, score, etc., the movie is one of the great New York movies. It shows off a lot locations, including (the top of) the Twin Towers. |
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| Is Godspell A Great Show? | |
| Posted by: Glamourboy 12:16 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Godspell and the Tonys - NewtonUK 09:08 am EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| I've only seen the movie (when I was a kid)....and the songs are amazing, but the story itself felt so draggy to me. Is the play better? | |
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| No. | |
| Posted by: Chazwaza 04:04 am EDT 09/04/22 | |
| In reply to: Is Godspell A Great Show? - Glamourboy 12:16 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| I have rarely sat through a more insufferable show... except for the songs. I listen to/sing along to the original cast album *often*... I don't know if you could pay me to sit through the full musical again. Christian bible lessons done by actors encouraged to be at their most "musical theater kid" levels while being encouraged to attempt improv... it's honestly hard for me to understand how the show became SO popular with the entire script, rather than as a concert. | |
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| re: Is Godspell A Great Show? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 12:57 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: Is Godspell A Great Show? - Glamourboy 12:16 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| To me, it's as "immersive" a show can be without perhaps literally being that. In other words, I think it needs an audience, and doesn't translate well to film. It's a show about community, and the audience is part of that. Plus the film replaced the Prologue with that odd series of people "seeing Jesus" in sometimes very gimmicky ways - like through the light of an old Xerox machine. I haven't seen the film in years, but remember it not being nearly as satisfying as the stage show. The film, however, did introduce "Beautiful City" (in a very 1970's style uptempo version) - which has since become a part of the stage show. |
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| re: Is Godspell A Great Show? | |
| Posted by: Glamourboy 03:17 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Is Godspell A Great Show? - Chromolume 12:57 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| Again, I've only seen the film version....but this was my confusion about the story.... It takes place in modern times (in the film, in a 1970s New York)....and the disciples are found from different walks of life. So right off, I'm wondering....is this a retelling of the Jesus story, or is this group of strangers getting together to retell the Jesus story. Haven't they heard it before? They put on somewhat goofy clothing...for...well...I'm not sure why. They play out some of the Jesus stories, but with a more slapstick style. It's all fun and games for Jesus and his friends...until it is not. Then, of course, Jesus is crucified in a moment that sucks all of the wacky joy out of the story. The story ends with another catchy song. Was the story something MORE than this in the stage version? |
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| re: Is Godspell A Great Show? | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 12:12 am EDT 08/30/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Is Godspell A Great Show? - Glamourboy 03:17 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| I would suggest seeing the stage version. It's not the film. | |
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| re: Is Godspell A Great Show? | |
| Posted by: tandelor 01:32 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Is Godspell A Great Show? - Chromolume 12:57 pm EDT 08/28/22 | |
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| I drove up from Buffalo with friends to see it in Toronto. Little did I, or anyone, know it would become legendary for its unknown cast: Victor Garber as Jesus, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Gilda Radner, Dave Thomas, and Martin Short. The show’s musical director was also a young unknown: Paul Shaffer. | |
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