For Your Godspell Productions

Notes For Performers and Directors

Licensing | Books | Karaoke | Magic props | Vocal ranges | FAQs - Answers to frequently asked questions

See also the full Godspell page for sheet music, CDs, etc.

Licensing Godspell for performance

Music Theatre International provides a detailed description and ordering information for the production. MTI provides supportive resource materials. Godspell pages at MTIshows.com

Theatre Maximus has licensed Godspell since 1972. Contact: Theatre Maximus, 1650 Broadway Suite 601, New York, NY 10019, 212-765-5913. Theatre Maximus

Books with Godspell chapters

Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked is the best behind-the-scenes resource for Godspell. It offers Schwartz's perspective and never-before-told stories from original cast members. Info on www.defyinggravitythebook.com

Little Musicals for Little Theatres includes a section on Godspell among the 150 musicals covered.

Peter Filichia's Let's Put on a Musical includes Godspell. Let's Put on a Musical: How to Choose the Right Show for Your Theater, Revised & Expanded Edition

Check out Scott Miller's book on musicals. It has a chapter on Godspell and one on Pippin. From Assassins to West Side Story : The Director's Guide to Musical Theatre

Visit our sister site www.musicalsingers.com for audition books, career books, tips, vocal ranges, vocal technique, etc.

Karaoke CDs: Practice with Godspell Karaoke - background music for performers.

Spotlight Karaoke Vol. 38 - Godspell  A nice thing about this Chartraxx karaoke is that performers can download it instantly for use at home. It is compatible with MP3 Players (including with iPod®), iTunes, Windows Media Player.

Sing The Broadway Musical Godspell (2-Disc Karaoke CDG)  - This is probably the fanciest version. Practice with Godspell Karaoke - background music for performers. Here is the company's blurb about it: "Our accompaniment/karaoke CD of songs from Godspell features 32 tracks. Tracks 1-16 contain the background tracks and guide vocals; tracks 17-32 contain the accompaniment tracks alone. This album is a re-recording in the original show key and show tempo."

The Broadway Box- 80 Songs From 51 Shows. Here's a 5-CDG box set that contains 80 classic songs. Includes songs from Pippin and Godspell - 51 top shows in all. Great gift item

Magic props for Godspell "All for the Best" appearing cane

In many productions of Godspell, Jesus and Judas use the magic trick of the appearing cane and then dance with the cane in the part of the song. You can see an example of this on a Yube version of the song sun by original cast members Stephen Nathan and David Haskell about 20 or 30 years after their first performance. All for the Best - Opens in a new browser window

Godspell props: Appearing Cane and appearing flowers

Get ready for "All for the Best" soft-shoe dance. Find "Appearing Cane" or other illisions on Amazon.com: Appearing Cane

Also available: Appearing Bouquet MAGIC APPEARING BOUQUET or APPEARING FLOWER MAGIC TRICK

Auditioning for Godspell

Auditioning for GODSPELL?

See Vocal Ranges info below and

See Godspell cast as characters for a description of each part, taken from the director's notes.

Current Productions of Godspell - Show Schedule

Yes, Godspell is on DVD as a movie but the movie has a whole different feel than the stage production. So you want to see it LIVE. Check two places: One is on the Godspell pages at MTI. Look for the blue tab that says "Upcoming" - click on that to find dozens of productions. Another licensing agency also has productions, and those will be listed on StephenSchwartz.com's show schedule.

According to the frequently asked questions post on Musicals.net Godspell forum they are as follows:

What are the singing ranges of the characters?

Jesus - Tenor High G#
Judas/John - Baritone E
Lamar - Tenor High A
Jeffrey - Tenor High D (falsetto)
Herb - Baritone E (does not sing any real solo, but should be able to carry baritone
harmonies)
Robin - Alto
Peggy - Alto
Sonia - Low Alto (D below middle C)
Gilmer - Mezzo
Joanne - Soprano (High A in "Bless the Lord", High C in "We Beseech Thee")

WHO SINGS WHAT - The whole troupe joins in for most songs, but lead singers as as follows:

Prologue/Tower of Babel: All
Prepare Ye: John the Baptist
God Save the People: Jesus
Day By Day: Robin
Learn Your Lessons Well: Gilmer
O bless the Lord: Joanne
All for the Best: Jesus/Judas
All Good Gifts: Lamar
Light of the World: Herb, Peggy, Jeffrey, Robin/All
Turn Back, O Man: Sonia
Alas for You: Jesus
By My Side: Peggy
We Beseech Thee: Jeffrey
On the Willows: Band
Finale: Jesus
Long Live God: All

Visit www.musicalsingers.com for musical theatre audition tips, vocal ranges, vocal technique, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions on Godspell

1. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on Stephen Schwartz's official site. He answers these questions:

• Is there only one version of GODSPELL?
• May we use the new GODSPELL Orchestrations for our production? (from Godspell 2000 or the 2001 tour)
• May we use the song Beautiful City in our production of GODSPELL?
• Where can we use Beautiful City in our production of GODSPELL?
• Do we have to dress like hippies in our production of GODSPELL?
• Has the Prologue been cut from GODSPELL?
• Why are you credited for writing “new” lyrics for GODSPELL?

StephenSchwartz.com FAQs (opens in new browser window)

2. Directing the show? See Godspell Notes to the Director from Stephen Schwartz

3. How much of the script can you change? There's a valuable answer to this question on StephenSchwartz.com discussion forum about a group that went too far:. Is That Still Godspell?

4. About Jesus wearing a superman shirt. Q & A about Superman shirt

For examples of various Godspell costumes, go to Google images and search on Godspell.

5. Notes from directors - commentary.

6. Where can I chat about Godspell? See www.stephenschwartz.com forum for general discussion.

See www.musicals.net Forum list for their active Godspell discussion Forum.

7. Understanding "Turn Back O Man" - See Schwartz's coments. Turn Back O Man