What is Godspell?

The popular musical Godspell has been performed around the world by professional and amateur theater groups since 1971. The show makes use of a variety of theatrical techniques, comedy, and song for a two-act piece that always engages the audience.

Godspell features the first professional musical score by award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin). The song “Day by Day” became an international hit in the early 1970s and the album won two Grammy Awards. John-Michael Tebelak conceived the show and directed the early productions.

Godspell draws primarily from the Gospel According to St. Matthew. During the musical, a group gathered around the leading figure, Jesus, learns lessons as they bring parables and sayings to life. Act II closes with several events from the end of Jesus’ life. One reason for Godspell‘s popularity is that each group is allowed to modernize some of the references to pop culture.

In addition to “Day by Day,” the score features 13 other songs with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and “By My Side” with music by Peggy Gordon and lyrics by Jay Hamburger. Mr. Schwartz has added “Beautiful City,” a song he wrote for the movie adaptation, as an optional song to be performed.

One of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time, Godspell opened May 17, 1971 Off-Broadway and transferred to Broadway in 1976. It ran for 2,124 performance off-Broadway and 527 on Broadway.

Official credits for Godspell

Conceived and Originally Directed by JOHN-MICHAEL TEBELAK

MUSIC AND NEW LYRICS BY STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

Originally Produced on the New York Stage by

EDGAR LANSBURY / STUART DUNCAN / JOSEPH BERUH

The music for “By My Side” was written by PEGGY GORDON and the lyrics thereof by JAY HAMBURGER