Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by John-Michael Tebelak
Directed by Karl Johnson
When: Sunday, January 12th at 7:00 pm
Callbacks (By Invitation): Wednesday, January 15 at 7:00 PM
Where: Sutter Street Theatre – Annex, 710 Figueroa Street, Folsom, CA 95630
REHEARSALS: Sunday – Thursday from 7 – 10 pm beginning January 19th. Additional Saturday rehearsals TBD by need and availability. Tech week rehearsals will be February 23-27 from 6 – 10 pm
PERFORMANCE DATES: February 28th – March 29th Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 4 pm. You MUST be available for all performance dates.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Headshot
- Resume
- Prepared 16-32 bar cut of a modern musical theatre song. Bring a cut accompaniment track on CD or mobile device.
SYNOPSIS:
Godspell opened off-Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals since, including the 2011-2012 Broadway revival, the version of the show we will be producing. The musical is based on the Gospels in the Christian Bible, primarily the book of Matthew. It tells the story of Jesus mostly through parables interspersed with modern music and lyrics primarily taken from traditional hymns. The first act is driven by Jesus’ parables and songs from multiple cast members, as the eclectic group following Jesus begins to form a cohesive community of love, based around Jesus’ teachings. Act two follows the story of Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion, ending with his followers going out into the world to continue his’ message of love and justice.
Note:
In the script, other than the characters of Jesus and John the Baptist/Judas, the characters are called by the first names of the original cast members.
While the original cast was broken down into 5 male and 5 female actors, the production will be open to casting differently than those gendered roles. The descriptions below provide an idea of the differences between the personalities and arcs of each character, much of each character’s personality is developed by the actor and director and are based around the song each character sings.
All roles available, open to any age, ethnicity, or gender
Character Breakdown:
Anna Maria (Alto): A bit of a tomboy, but basically open and sweet. Perhaps the youngest of the group. She is the first of the group to commit to following Jesus in the song “Day by Day.”
Celisse (Mezzo-Soprano): The female equivalent of the class clown. Goofy and a cut-up. In the 2012 Broadway revival, she played several instruments, including conga, ukulele and guitar. She sings “Learn Your Lessons Well.”
George (Tenor): The comedian, the class clown. The guy who can do a hundred voices and imitations. He sings “Light of the World.”
Jesus (Tenor): 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 (Baritone): 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. He sings “Prepare Ye,” “All For the Best,” and “On the Willows.”
Lindsay (Soprano): The confident one, the show-off. The first one to volunteer, sometimes she jumps in before she really understands what’s going on. She sings “Bless the Lord.”
Morgan (Alto): 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. She sings “Turn Back, O Man.”
Nick (Tenor): Very high energy. Impish and playful. In the original, he played several musical instruments, including concertina, recorder and guitar. He sings “We Beseech Thee.”Telly (Tenor): 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.
Uzo (Alto): 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. She sings “By My Side.”
Ensemble roles may be added at director’s discretion.
