GODSPELL
Godspell is based on the Gospel according to St Matthew, and this modern and contemporary retelling is a joyous celebration of the power of faith, telling the story of the last seven days of Jesus Christ life.
Jesus comes to save a world that looks very much like our own, in this playful, fun and immensely popular musical that shows the Gospel at work in modern times. Godspell sprang from the youth culture of the sixties and offered it's first audiences a contemporary approach to the greatest story ever told.
The story speaks to the passion of Jesus Christ; to teach love and joy in the hearts of people rather than hate and sadness. It speaks of loving your neighbour, forgiveness, tolerance and celebration. In this version the parables have been contemporized, and Christ's followers are flower children who sing the likes of "Day By Day", "All Good Gifts", and "Turn Back, O Man." Christ himself has been transformed as well.
Since its premiere, this Broadway and West End musical of the 70's has remained an immensely successful rock opera, breaking new ground in its stage treatment of Jesus Christ. The score of Godspell calls on all modern musical influences, including Rock, Gospel, Ragtime - and includes the hits "Prepare ye the way of the Lord", "Day by Day" and "By my Side".
With a score written by Stephen Schwartz, the academy award winning composer of "PIPPIN" and "THE PRINCE OF EGYPT", Godspell was the first pop-rock musical, pre-dating "Jesus Christ Superstar", in some ways this modest and loving work remains the best of them.
Godspell originally opened Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre on May 17, 1971. It then moved to the Promenade on Broadway and 76th Street where it ran for 2,124 performances. The show's "official" Broadway opening took place at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 22, 1976. This production lasted for 527 performances.
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