What's up with GODSPELL?- Page 2

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:14am

Just for those interested

These are some production shots from the Ill fated 2007 revival of Godspell here in the UK starring boyband member Stephen Gately

Like i said previously, reviews were dreadful saying the show just does not fly anymore, the tour folded on the road never making it to London.Stephen Gately a member of the boyband Boyzone only did 2 venues before quitting/being fired after producers saw that even his name was not pulling audiences in (it was playing to as little as 200 a night in 2000 capacity venues), Gately was on 12 thousand pounds a week (over 20 thousand dollars a week) and producers did not what to pay that size wage when he was not bringing audiences in.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:14am

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:15am

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:16am

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:21am

Jesus.
(No pun intended)

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:35am

At least Gately was pretty in the UK tour (unfortunately so is his super hot Boyfriend grrr)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:45am

Maybe they can get David Archuleta to head up the national tour. That would sell like hotcakes.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:46am

Isn't David Archuleta about 9 years old lol

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 9:58am

I saw a recent community theatre production of it, and I have to say, I didn't care much for the book of the musical. It's just a little too much bible school and not much actual story. I just kept thinking, "jeez, get to the songs already." I'm not sure the show will really interest teens today, but we'll see. I'm curious to know their concept for the show. I hope - like every other time - it's not set in a junkyard.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 10:01am

Thats the thing, there is no actual story to this show, its very very very preachy.Maybe thats why the UK did not like it

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 10:05am

Agreed. I just felt like "Okay....I get it...but what's the POINT?" Like, it felt like a high school version of Jesus Christ Superstar. Superstar is for the adults, Godspell is for the kids.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 10:12am

Thats the thing, there is no actual story to this show, its very very very preachy.Maybe thats why the UK did not like it

Or it could have just been a really awful production. The photos certainly don't look like anything I'd like to see and I do like the show. The show relies heavily on the staging and style of the production. A bad director and/or cast will kill it. Heavy-handed conceptualization is probably the quickest way to ruin the show. Overcasting is another popular misdirection. There are hundreds of ways to create an awful production of Godspell without having to blame the material.

ts very very very preachy.Maybe thats why the UK did not like it

I thought the protestors of Jerry Springer The Opera were into preachy. That made international news.

Updated On: 5/24/08 at 10:12 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 10:18am

Well MisterMatt you never saw the production did you, the staging and direction were fine, that was not the problem (the cast were also pretty brilliant, with the exception of Stephen who was just OK)

And as for the Jerry Springer comment, news reports were vastly over exaggerated about the protests of Jerry Springer - the opera.

Everyone knows the UK is not huge on religion (in fact i think one of the lowest in Europe), im just saying with a show that was so preachy (as many of the reviews also said) people here were just not interested.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 10:54am

Godspell is definitely happening. There's going to be a performance from the cast on Broadway in Bryant Park.

[Popular]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:00am

I know it's all subject to change but bwayguy is right. They are scheduled to perform on July 24th according to the Bryant Park website.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:22am

The point of the show when originally written was to create a church service that John-Michael Tebelak would have felt comfortable and interested in attending. He was tossed out of a service because of what he was wearing, so he created his own, and in addition, Godspell is about the formation of a community. If done well, it can be very moving and very funny, making the teachings of the Gospel more accessible for modern audiences. It is not meant to convert people, but to entertain them and instill in them a sense of love for their fellow man. However, as MM said, if you overdo it it kills the spirit of the piece. Keep it simple, throw in lots of pop culture references, and make it INTIMATE.

And MM et al, no, I have not seen every production done in proscenium stages. I should not have said it ABSOLUTELY doesn't work; instead I should have said it does not usually work as well.
Updated On: 5/24/08 at 11:22 AM

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:44am

No.

It's not "preachy" and those were NEVER the intentions behind it. First of all, Schwartz is not religious.

I'm not going to get into it but I attended an interview with Schwartz and GODSPELL was brought up.

He explained the real central theme, the message, and all of the symbolism.

It means more than just religion. Do you really think thats all it's about? You must not be familiar with tne material then.
Updated On: 5/24/08 at 11:44 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:46am

Of course i know thats not all what godspell is about, but at the same time it is very preachy and i don't think anyone could honestly say its not.

As mentioned earlier, its message of community is great (thats why the hippies liked it so much) lol

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:49am

I strongly disagree with the notion that it is "preachy"

religion (and the bible stories) are simply used as a storytelling device. if you describe it as being "preachy", it becomes something very negative for those who aren't familiar with the show.

if it was "preachy" Schwartz would be shoving Judaism down your throat -- he simply doesn't do that.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:51am

I guess we will have to agree to disagree

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:54am

I'm just having trouble with the "preachy" thoughts... if you could offer me of your thoughts, I may be able to understand what you're trying to say.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:56am

Im not necessarily talking about the religious aspect of the show, i just think that the tone of the show comes across very much like 'Lets all hold hands and make the world a better place' lol.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 11:59am

Ah, I see.

Yes... I can see how some would think that then. I believe that's all the Director's responsibility, however.

A GODSPELL production with a focused direction and strong acting is the best to see.

If it lacks direction and focus, it's going to come across as real "hippy" and cluttered. Perhaps even distorted.

I have complete faith in the upcoming Bway revival.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 12:07pm

I just think that after watching the recent UK tour of the show with all of its updates and nods at what was happening at the time (we had references from everything from Judge Judy to McDonalds) it still came across very very dated and overly preachy.

So many audience members were walking out or not coming back after the interval (wishing they had got tickets for South Pacific down the road) and that happened night after night.

Comments ranged from "its not aged well" to "sleep inducing"

Many of the critics commented on the fact the tone of the show was more suited to the 70s and to the 70s audience who kept the show running, but now people are not wanting to go to the theatre to be preached at.

The odd thing as well was that all the updates on the show just made the show seem all the more dated, it was almost like the updates were pointing out the 70s rock opera even more.

The direction for the UK production was fine and the passion was there and of course the score has some great moments (which th audience still clap along too), i just worry that Godspell is very much a piece of it's time which should not be revived!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 12:09pm

into_the_woods, just ignore some on this thread. Hope you feel better!