Godspell, the musical, has a rock-like score which speaks to teens' high energy level. Its humorous rendition of the gospels allows them to have fun while learning more about Jesus. Its high level of improvisation releases their imaginations. Godspell is a great way to capture the imagination and encourage the faith of teenagers.
It begins with the story of the Tower of Babel. Eight philosophers and theologians — Socrates, Aquinas, Luther, da Vinci, Gibbon, Nietzsche, Sartre and Buckminster Fuller — represent the builders of the Tower. Their songs summarize the lifetime arguments of each man. Problem is, the thinkers care only to listen to themselves, and their proud modern-day Tower of Babel quickly collapses into an ear-splitting babble of noise.
Enter Jesus. He doesn't out shout the deep thinkers; instead, he's humble and childlike. His winsome spirit moves the disciples to join him in acting out the familiar teachings and parables in speech, pantomime, song and dance. They have so much fun that when the darkness of betrayal and crucifixion falls, it's as incomprehensible as the presence of evil itself in the world.
Yet the end is not tragic. The Jesus who clowns his way into people's hearts, is the same Jesus who announces, "Do not suppose that I have come to abolish the Law and the prophets: I did not come to abolish, but to complete." Through his suffering and death, all is completed. The crucified Christ is raised up and made the sign of God's everlasting life, and laughter and song triumph at the heart of all things.
I have produced Godspell five times in my ministry. Every production has been, for everybody involved, both an incomparable theatrical experience and a deeply religious one.
Unlike other Broadway musicals, Godspell is within reach of the limited resources of the smallest drama group. The set consists merely of two sawhorses, three planks and a chain link fence (and you can get away without the fence).
The homemade costumes are colourful Salvation Army castoffs, the musical score is accessible to untrained voices, and the pit band, so long as the pianist can handle the upbeat rock score, is easily realizable.
I have written a director's guidebook in order to make the show even more accessible for amateur groups. For more information, contact me by e-mail: jmctav@vianet.ca
