Show guide
Godspell
Godspell is Stephen Schwartz's musical retelling of the Gospel of Matthew's parables, which began off Broadway in 1971 and transferred to Broadway in 1976.
- Broadway premiere
- 1976
- Music by
- Stephen Schwartz
- Genre
- Rock/Pop
- Setting
- Timeless
Godspell: quick answers
What is Godspell about?
- Godspell presents a series of parables, mostly from the Gospel of Matthew, acted out by Jesus and a small band of followers through games, sketches, and songs, before turning to Judas's betrayal and the crucifixion.
When did Godspell open on Broadway?
- Godspell opened on Broadway on June 22, 1976, at the Broadhurst Theatre, after a 2,124-performance Off-Broadway run that began in 1971. It closed on September 4, 1977, after 527 performances; a Broadway revival played Circle in the Square in 2011 to 2012.
What kind of musical is Godspell?
- Godspell is an ensemble pop-rock musical built from parables rather than a conventional plot, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and many lyrics adapted from traditional hymns.
Where and when is Godspell set?
- Godspell is deliberately timeless: rather than recreating first-century Judea, it presents the Gospel parables through a modern ensemble, and the 1973 film set them in present-day New York City.
Has Godspell played in London's West End?
- Godspell opened in London at the Roundhouse on November 17, 1971, with David Essex and Jeremy Irons, and transferred to the West End's Wyndham's Theatre in January 1972.
Is there a Godspell movie?
- The 1973 film Godspell, directed by David Greene, starred Victor Garber as Jesus and David Haskell as John the Baptist and Judas, and was shot around modern New York.
The story of Godspell
Godspell dramatizes a series of parables from the Gospel of Matthew, presented as a loosely connected string of games, sketches, and songs performed by a troupe of clown like followers gathered around a central Jesus figure. John the Baptist opens the show by calling the group together, and Judas Iscariot emerges gradually from within that community before ultimately betraying Jesus.
Rather than a conventional plot, the show builds a sense of community and joyful teaching through its early scenes before turning, in its final stretch, toward the crucifixion, giving the piece an emotional swing from playful ensemble comedy to solemn reflection. Its themes of fellowship, faith, and betrayal are delivered with a light, improvisational touch for most of the running time.
The music and the makers
Stephen Schwartz, a Carnegie Mellon alumnus, wrote the music and lyrics, composing a new score for the 1971 off Broadway production of the show John Michael Tebelak had created as his master's thesis at Carnegie Mellon. The score blends folk, pop, and gospel influences into simple, hymn like melodies suited to its ensemble of performers.
Signature songs include Day by Day, Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord, and All Good Gifts, several of which became popular outside the show itself. That accessible, communal sound, built for a small ensemble rather than a large orchestra, has helped Godspell remain a favorite for schools and community theatres.
Godspell on Broadway
Godspell began performances off Broadway in 1971 at the Cherry Lane Theatre before moving through several other off Broadway houses, and it eventually transferred to Broadway, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 22, 1976. The Broadway engagement ran for a little over a year, following an off Broadway run that had already lasted more than 2,000 performances.
The show has been revived on Broadway since, including a 2011 production, and it remains one of the most frequently licensed musicals for schools, churches, and regional theatres worldwide. Its legacy rests less on a single landmark Broadway run than on its enduring popularity as an accessible, low cost show that has introduced generations of performers to musical theatre.
Godspell: frequently asked questions
When did Godspell open on Broadway?
Godspell transferred to Broadway on June 22, 1976, after beginning off Broadway in 1971.
Who composed Godspell?
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics, with the show conceived and originally directed by John Michael Tebelak.
What is Godspell about?
It retells parables from the Gospel of Matthew through songs and games performed by a joyful ensemble, building toward the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus.
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