Godspell

Book by: John Michael Tebelak
Lyrics by: Stephen Schwartz
Music by: Stephen Schwartz
Based on The Gospel According to St. Matthew
Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, “Godspell” is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time.

Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, “Godspell” boasts a string of well-loved songs, led by the international hit, “Day By Day.” As the cast performs “Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All For The Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man” and “By My Side,” the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life.

Drawing from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, “Godspell” is a groundbreaking and unique reflection on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love.

Godspell begins with Jesus declaring himself as God and King in whom there is no beginning and no end. The company takes on the roles of different philosophers who debate the existence of the God. The debate disintegrates into babble where ideas become only fragments.

Plot Summary

John the Baptist enters and brings order. He baptizes the company who quickly exit. When Jesus wishes to be baptized, John kneels and wishes to be baptized by him instead. Jesus brings John back to his feet and tells him that he is here to save mankind.

The company returns in clown costumes and put clown make-up on their faces. Jesus assures them that he has come not to abolish the law of the prophets but to complete it. Using song, dance, mime, clowning, charades and other theatrical techniques Jesus uses parables to share his teachings. Act One is full of fun stories such as the Pharisee and the tax gatherer, the Good Samaritan and the sower and the seeds.

The mood of the show starts to change, however, when the company recites the beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc.). Judas recites the final beatitude about persecution and directs it at Jesus. The company freezes with fear about what events to come.

In Act Two the company members become Pharisees who question Jesus’s authority. Jesus questions their questions with stories and tells them that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love thy neighbor as theyself. Jesus scorns the Pharisees and calls them hypocrites.

As the company remove their clown make-up Jesus announces that one of the company will betray him and tells Judas to do what he has to do quickly. Judas runs off. Then, in a recreation of the last supper, Jesus gives the company bread and wine and announces that it is his body and blood. They will all eat and drink together again in the kingdom of God. Jesus bids farewell to his followers and prays in the garden.

Judas returns and embraces Jesus who is crucified on the fence upstage while the company climbs the fence and wails. Jesus sings as he dies and then there is no movement. The company removes Jesus from the fence and carries him off as they sing “Long Live God.” They return with “Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord”.