Godspell

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 5:48pm

My high school is doing a production of 'Godspell'. I was wondering if you could tell me something about it, and some of the roles. Also what song I should audition with, because I know you guys are wicked good at that stuff. It would be a great help!

Thanks,
Linzy

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:08pm

male or female roles/songs?

[Derek2]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:10pm

Hi, we're doing Godspell as well at my High School. I Think Im going to see "Unworthy of your Love" from Assassins. Something upbeat I suggest. The show is very hippyish. Similar to Hair. It has a story though, it's based on some Gospell from the Bible, Im not sure which one. It's mostly score and music and the music is very upbeat at that. Good luck!

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:11pm

Female.

I was thinking of doing 'No good deed' from Wicked to show off my range, and my belt and all that. Plus it's just formality, the director knows me well and knows I can do pretty much anything.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:14pm

The nudity in Godspell is much better than in Hair. I hope your school is brave enough to do it right.

I think anybody audtioning for Godspell would be crazy not to use "Defying Gravity."

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:17pm

I was thinking about it, but we only get 2 minutes 30 seconds to audition with a song. But I don't know, It's not until the beginning of September but I like to prepare early.

And now it's probobly not going to be right. Because our theatre, is a speech hall. Nothin bigger than a bedroom, so it's probobly gonna suck. But hopefully I'm good enough to bring something to it. I have groupies from around the area. lol. Updated On: 8/23/04 at 06:17 PM

[meagan9848]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:20pm

I wouldn't use anything from Wicked to audition for Godspell...have you heard the music?

[LilMiZBroADwaY23]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:21pm

Nope. I've only heard of it a few times.

[MyNameInLights]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 6:51pm

Don't do anything from Wicked. What a horrible idea. Do something like, I Don't Know How to Love Him from JCS or something. Do a rock musical song, not Wicked.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:00pm

Godspell is Stephen Schwartz though... if anything do something with the same composer... look at Pippen songs too...

[feinstein9]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:35pm

ah namo... your humour is lost on the young.

[mominator]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:38pm

I was in Godspell so many times that I helped put Mr. Schwartz son through Harvard! I'd suggest something from the show maybe from the role you want. A great song that was in the movie was "Beautiful City" this one is my favorite. Some of the later cast recordings have this one on them, but not the OBC.
Best of luck and keep us informed!
B

[Jon]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 10:26pm

I can't believe people actually audition for shows without knowing anything about them. For God(spell)'s sake, get a copy of the freakin' cast album - there are several out there! Rent the damn video! It's not exactly an obscure show!

The movie is worth watching just to see a baby-faced Victor Garber with a giant Afro!

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 10:34pm

I got this from musicals.net.


What is Godspell about, what is the synopsis?

Based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew, GODSPELL is one of the most successful musicals in history. It present a whimsical view of Jesus, who is dressed like a clown with a red nose, a red heart painted on his forehead, and a Superman shirt. His followers and disciples re-enact parables and scenes from Jesus' life with great energy.

Godspell is a two act contemporary show with a small cast, generally 5 men and 5 women, and a small orchestra: Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums and requires minimal scenery, lighting and sound. The music is easy to learn and sing and costuming is basically from one's closet. It is ideal for schools, churches, small production facilities, and those on a limited
budget. It is well suited for general audiences.

ACT ONE

Godspell begins with Jesus declaring himself as God and King in whom there is no beginning and no end. The company takes on the roles of different philosophers (including Socrates, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Leonardo DaVinci, Frederic Nietzche, and Jean Paul Sartre) who debate the existence of the God. The debate disintegrates into babble where ideas become only fragments.
John the Baptist enters and brings order as he sings "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord". John the Baptist baptizes the company who quickly exit. When Jesus wishes to be baptized, John kneels and wishes to be baptized by him instead. Jesus brings John back to his feet and tells him that he is here to save mankind in the song, "Save The People". The company returns in clown costumes. They begin to put clown make-up on their faces.
Jesus assures them that he has come not to abolish the law of the prophets but to complete it. While the company moves like stylized marionettes, Jesus informs them that those who keep to the law of God will earn the highest place in heaven. To illustrate this, he tells the story of the widow and the judge. The story shows that God is a good judge who will
vindicate those who cry out to him day and night.

The company then takes over and acts out the story of the Pharisee and the tax gatherer praying in the temple to illustrate that every man who humbles himself before God shall be exalted.

Jesus preaches the law of offering gifts at the altar before God as the company acts making offerings. Then, as they all clap in rhythm, they all act out the story of a Master who had a servant who owed him debt. The servant asked for the Master's pity, and the Master remitted the debt. However, the servant had a fellow servant who owed him a debt. When the servant did not show the same pity that the Master had shown, the Master
condemns the servant to prison until the debt is paid. Jesus tells the company that the moral of the story is that one must forgive as God forgives. If one does not forgive, then God will condemn one to prison.
One of the company members sings "Day By Day" , which is a prayer for clear vision. The company joins into the song. After the song ends, Jesus preaches that if one part of the body offends, better to lose it than to have the whole of it thrown into hell.

The company then plays to charades to answer such questions as if a man sues you for your shirt. . .or if a man asks you to go a mile with him. . . posed by Jesus. The company then does a pantomime of the Good Samaritan story for Jesus who then tells them to love their enemies and not to make a show of religion. If good deeds are done in
secret, the reward will come from God. The company performs the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus is a poor man who
goes to heaven, and the rich man goes to hell. The rich man begs God to let Lazarus rise from the dead in order to warn his rich brothers of their eventual fate. One of the company members sings "Learn Your Lesson Well"; in which he warns of eternal doom if one does not learn the laws of God.

Jesus tells the company that no one can be devoted to two masters, and that no man can serve God and money. One of the company members tells a story of a man, who spends his life accumulating things and then dies before he can enjoy it. She then sings "Oh Bless
the Lord, My Soul" in which she praises a patient and wise God.

Jesus bids the company to put away thoughts of material things and anxieties about tomorrow. The company recites the beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc.), and Jesus answers them in a call-and-response manner. However, Judas recites the final beatitude about
persecution and directs it at Jesus. The company freezes with fear about what events to come. However, Jesus quickly changes the subject and sings "All for the Best" through which he assures everyone that even if life is bad, their reward will be in heaven. Judas sings a verse of the song as well, and he and Jesus perform a soft shoe dance. The company joins into the song as well.

After the song ends, the company does various bits of stage business. One company member sings "Jesus Loves Me"like a school girl. Another company member pretends to have stage fright. Jesus organizes them all to tell the parable of the sower and the seeds which represent the word of God. To further illustrate the parable, one company member
sings "All Good Gifts".

The company then pretends to be soldiers in the military, and Jesus pretends to be their drill sergeant. The company then acts out the story of the prodigal son. They sing "Light of the World", a song which encourages everyone to be shining beacons in the world. Jesus announces that they are taking a ten minute break and thanks the audience for
coming.

ACT TWO

While one of the company members sings a reprise of "Learn Your Lessons Well", the company sets up the stage for Act II. When the song is over, another company comes up through the audience and sings "Turn Back O Man" in which she encourages mankind to give up its foolish ways and turn to God. Jesus joins her in the singing of the song, and they dance.

Company members then become Pharisees who question Jesus's authority. Jesus questions their questions with a stories and tells them that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and to love thy neighbor as theyself. In the song, "Alas for You", Jesus scorns the Pharisees and calls them hypocrites. Some company members join in the song and throw garbage at the Pharisees.

At the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Jesus predicts that he will not be seen again until a future time. He remembers the time of Noah when the flood swept over the land and drowned mankind. He predicts that when he comes again, only one man and one woman will be taken with him. The rest will be left wailing outside the kingdom of God. One of the women company members is thrown down onto the stage and called an adulteress. Jesus tells the company that the one who is faultless can throw the first stone at
her. When no one condemns her, Jesus tells her that he will not condemn her but that she must not sin again. The woman sings "By My Side" in which she asks Jesus to travel with her.

As Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, Jesus tells of a time when he will sit in glory and divide men into two groups like a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. His righteous sheep will enter heaven while the cursed goats will face eternal fire. The goats beg for mercy and sing "We Beseech Thee".

When the song is over, the company sings a reprise of "Day By Day" as they remove their clown make-up. Jesus announces that one of the company will betray him and tells Judas to do what he has to do quickly.
Judas runs off. Then, in a recreation of the last supper, Jesus gives the company bread and wine and announces that it is his body and blood. They will all eat and drink together again in the kingdom of God. Jesus bids farewell to his followers and prays in the garden. In a moment of uncertainty, he begs for the burden to be lifted from him and is tempted by the devil, but he orders the devil to be gone.

Judas returns and embraces Jesus who is crucified on the fence upstage while the company climbs the fence and wails. In the "Finale", Jesus sings as he dies. Then there is no movement. The company removes Jesus from the fence and carry him off as they sing "Long Live God" in harmony with "Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord".

Why was the original production done with clowns?

GODSPELL was conceived by John-Michael Tebelak, who was combining his interests in theatre and his calling to become an Episcopal minister. John-Michael ultimately spent agreat deal of time before he died working at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. In addition, he based his conception of GODSPELL on the work and teachings of Harvey Cox, the famous professor of Divinity at Harvard. The show was conceived by
John-Michael partly as a response to the humorlessness, joylessness, and
narrow-mindedness he found in many organized Christian congregations

The "clowns" of Godspell have nothing to do with traditional circus clowns -- they are basically donning some costume or make-up that separates them from society (for part of the show) to signify their following a Leader; the "clown" aspect is more theoretical and theological (Harvey Cox's concept) than literal. What's important is that each individual be
burlesquing his own character in some amusing way, not that he or she become a Ringling Bros. clown.


What are the roles in Godspell, what are the characters personalities?

Jesus- Must be the most charismatic individual in the cast. High energy, charming, funny, gentle but with strength. He is the sort of person others instinctively follow.

John the Baptist/Judas- He has attributes of both Biblical figures: he is both Jesus' lieutenant and most ardent disciple and the doubter who begins to question and rebel. Like Jesus, he is also charismatic, but in more of an overt revolutionary way. Usually played by someone handsome and masculine, with an undertone of sexuality. He is the most "serious" and intellectual of the group, though as with all the actors, he must still possess a good sense of physical comedy.

Jeffrey- Very high energy. Impish and playful. In the original, he played several musical instruments, including concertina and recorder.

Lamar- Not the brightest in the bunch, he is a little slow on the uptake. But there is a great sweetness and innocence about him. Because he sings "All Good Gifts," he must be a very good singer.

Herb- The comedian, the class clown. The guy who can do a hundred voices and imitations. This is also the role that sings the least, so it is wise to cast it for a comedian rather than a vocalist.

Robin- A bit of a tomboy, but basically open and sweet. She is the first of the group to commit to following Jesus in the song "Day by Day."

Joanne- The confident one, the show-off. The first one to volunteer, sometimes jumps in before she really understands what's going on.

Peggy- The shy one. Sometimes a little slow to get things, but when she does, she commits all the way. Has an "earth mother" kind of warmth to her.

Sonia- Sassy and slightly cynical, the most urban of the group. Also the "sexy" one, but her sexiness contains a large element of put-on, in the manner of Mae West or Madonna(who in fact once played this role).

Gilmer- The female equivalent of the class clown. Goofy and a cut-up. this is the female role that sings least, and therefore should be cast with a strong comedienne.

In addition to each individual being able to stand out, it is important that all be able to function as an ensemble, without any feeling that any one(other than Jesus) stands out above the others. Other important traits to look for in casting are comic ability and skill at improvisation.

Who sings what songs in Godspell?

Prologue: Tower of Babble - Ensemble (minus John the Baptist/Judas and Jesus)
Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord -John the Baptist & Ensemble
Save The People - Jesus & Ensemble
Day by Day - Robin & Ensemble
Learn Your Lessons Well - Gilmer
Bless The Lord - Joanne & Ensemble
All For The Best - Jesus, Judas & Ensemble
All Good Gifts - Lamar & Ensemble
Light Of The World - Herb, Peggy, Jeffrey, Robin & Ensemble
Turn Back O Man - Sonia, Jesus & Ensemble
Alas For You - Jesus
By My Side - Peggy, Gilmer & Ensemble
We Beseech Thee Jeffrey & Ensemble
On The Willows - The Band
Beautiful City - Jesus & Ensemble (song is optional and flexible)
Finale - Jesus & Ensemble

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")

[LadyGuenevere]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 10:37pm

Yes, go to musicals.net/forums if you really need help- they have ex-Godspellers and resident experts that are ready to answer audition questions.

[musicalfandukie]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 10:55pm

godspell is a really fun show to do:)

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 11:18pm

Haha Namo.
Seriously lay off the Wicked stuff. There is a general rule that you shouldnt use a song from a show that is still running on Broadway. It is too overplayed and may bore the director.

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 8/23/04 at 11:43pm

I'd lay off using Wicked because it's not at all the right style for Godspell and also because every high school girl trying out will inevitably be using it too, except for the 1 girl who didn't get the memo and will sing I've Got Rhythm.

It's not a bad idea to use Schwartz. I'd recommend something from Children of Eden for the biblical connection and the novelty of the lyrics actually being good, but it's not really the ideal music style. Godspell is fused with various contemporary genres, so I agree with the Pippin suggestion or even some JCS or Joseph or Hair.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 12:08am

I agree that using Stephen Schwartz would be a good idea too. Wicked is a completly different style that Godspell though. His early work like Pippin would be a better choice.

[MusicalDirector109]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 8:43am

I, too, have done this show (directed it 13 times) in many concepts. I think "Pippin" or "Joseph ATATD" music would be great choices!! Best of luck with the audition.

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 8:51am

I wish this musical never existed

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 8:59am

I enjoyed performing Godspell. I played Jeffrey and was lucky enough to sing my favorite song from the show - We Beseech Thee. It's a great score and fun to perform. The movie version is quite hideous though. Very slooooooooooow.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:36am

By My Side is a great song but did I miss your answer to my question? Male or female? It's hard to say what will fit your voice and range without knowing.

[tcoppola]

Posted: 8/24/04 at 11:43am

The movie version is also NOT very easy to come by. I remember looking or it for about 2 years until I finally disciverd it in some small video store for sale.

The movie also features Lynn Thigpen--she sings Bless the Lord.

Not a great film, though....

[thetheatregirlinside]

Posted: 8/25/04 at 12:59am

I actually will be auditioning for Godspell in the spring for college. I rented the movie off Netflix.com. I thought it was pretty good. I like the show. Have listened to all the music. Read as much as I can find about the show. But I am not very good at picking audition pieces for myself. I am a mezzo-soprano. I thought that is normally wasn't a good idea to use songs from the show to audition with?