50 Years! Many Ways to Celebrate the Gifts of Godspell
Compiled by Carol de Giere, author of The Godspell Experience
Godspell opened at the Cherry Lane Theatre on May 17, 1971 and was soon selling out every night. With its vibrant Stephen Schwartz score, the hit musical soon went on to become one of the most popularly licensed musicals around the world. Now we celebrate the Godspell 50th Anniversary! Enjoy remembrances and colorful stories in video interviews and articles. What follows is a list of online resources. #godspell #godspell50
DELIGHTFUL VIDEOS for GODSPELL‘s 50th
The Godspell 50th Anniversary Celebration and Trivia Challenge
“The Godspell 50th Anniversary Celebration and Trivia Challenge” by Paul Kreppel (originally suggested by me) includes videos and quiz challenges from such original and early cast members as Peggy Gordon, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Marty Short, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy… with ending clips from Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, and dozens of others. Don’t miss this touching, funny, colorful YouTube tribute to the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-bsCNjwD88
RARE opportunity to hear the original cast! Celebrating Godspell‘s 50th anniversary, Beltline to Broadway will interview original cast members Peggy Gordon, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Sonia Manzano, Gilmer McCormick, and Stephen Nathan, along with the original music director Stephen Reinhardt. www.youtube.com/watch?v=R48pnaTk70A
ARTICLES AND PODCASTS FOR GODSPELL AT 50
TheatreMania.com: Godspell at 50 – Reminiscences… This interview by David Gordon features “making of” the show comments from several of the original stars: Peggy Gordon, Robin Lamont, and Stephen Nathan. It includes several color photos of the cast from the first production. Theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/godspell-at-50-reminiscences-with-original-stars_92265.html
Godspell.com – “Remembering the Godspell Opening 50 Years Later” Here you’ll find a story from original cast member Joanne Jonas and others. What was it like for Stephen Schwartz and the cast to get ready for the opening? What about preparing the choreography and songs? Read more at: godspell.com/remembering-the-godspell-opening-50-years-later/
BroadwayWorld.com – Article and Video – BroadwayWorld’s piece featured both an article and video with a mix of original cast members, Toronto cast members and others. About 1 hour. “Celebrate 50 Years of GODSPELL with a Mega-Reunion on Backstage LIVE with Richard Ridge” Broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Celebrate-50-Years-of-GODSPELL-with-a-Mega-Reunion-on-Backstage-LIVE-with-Richard-Ridge–Watch-Now-20210517
Playbill.com – Godspell 50th Anniversary Interviews – Victor Garber, Eugene Levy, Uzo Aduba, Andrea Martin and others share Godspell memories. playbill.com/article/victor-garber-eugene-levy-uzo-aduba-andrea-martin-more-share-godspell-memories-to-celebrate-musicals-50th-anniversary
Broadway Radio Podcast with Stephen Schwartz and others: Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk with Stephen Schwartz, Peggy Gordon, and Robin Lamont, about their experiences with Godspell. Broadwayradio.com/blog/2021/05/16/this-week-on-broadway-for-may-16-2021-godspell/
Mark Kennedy of Associated Press filed this report: AP News – Godspell 50 with interview quotes from original cast members Peggy Gordon and Robin Lamont. Kennedy puts the show’s opening in context.
Masterworks Broadway article focuses on recordings and Godspell History. Writer Peter Filichia adds comments from Peggy Gordon and Robin Lamont for his article GODSPELL Day By Day for 50 years. Masterworksbroadway.com/blog/godspell-day-by-day-for-fifty-years-by-peter-filichia/
An article also came out in The Guardian about the original UK The Guardian – Godspell
REVIEWS OF “THE GODSPELL EXPERIENCE” BOOK COVERING THE SHOW HISTORY
Ron Fassler’s new review of The Godspell Experience is here: TheaterPizzazz – blog post on The Godspell Experience includes photos and comments about highlights of the book.
On Stage Blog has inaugurated “Backstage Book Club” with a post about The Godspell Experience featuring photos and an interview with author Carol de Giere. Onstageblog – Carol de Giere and The Godspell Experience FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE GODSPELL EXPERIENCE
THE SCHWARTZ SCENE: Read Stephen Schwartz News for Spring 2021 Theschwartzscene.com/quarterly-newsletter/issue-70-spring-2021/ or view all the issues at Theschwartzscene.com/quarterly-newsletter/archive/
