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Royal
Court
is
pleased to have perfromed
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Stephen
Schwartz's
Musical
Godspell
in both 2003 and 2005
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Contact
us: Email:
catrionajean@gmail.com Phone
(810) 240-8201
Write Royal
Court Productions
11362 North Lake Dr
Fenton,
MI 48430
Royal
Court Productions is
a ministry arm of Faith
City Ministries |
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This
Godspell webpage was developed for Royal Court by
DeWayne Coons.
Original photos
are courtesy of Patty Coons
This
production of Godspell was produced by special arrangement
with:
THEATRE
MAXIMUS
1650
Boradway
New
York, NY. 10019
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Click
here for MIDI files and lyrics
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Music and
New Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Conceived and Originally
Directed by John Michael Tebelak
One
of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of
all time, the musical Godspell is based on the Gospel According to St.
Matthew. |
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Featuring
a colorful and lively score by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell
showcases an impressive array of hit songs, including the still
popular "Day By Day." The parables and
sayings of Jesus come alive in a pointed and often humorous way,
mixed with songs like "Prepare Ye The Way Of
The Lord," "Save The People,"
"Bless The Lord," "All For The Best,"
"All Good Gifts," "Beautiful City"
and "By My Side".
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Godspell
originally opened Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane
Theatre on May 17, 1971. It then moved to the Promenade on
Broadway and 76th Street where it ran for 2,124
performances. The show's "official" Broadway opening
took place at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 22, 1976. This
production lasted for 527. The original cast
included
Lamar Alford, Herb Braha, Peggy Gordon, David Haskell, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Sonia Manzano, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey
Mylett and Stephen Nathan. In the script, none of the
characters are named except Jesus (Steve Nathan) and John/Judas
(David
Haskell). The original actor's names are used for all the
other characters.
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In
1973 a film version of Godspell was
released with Victor Garber in the role of Jesus. It
also included David Haskell as John, Merrell
Jackson, Katie
Hanley, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Lynne Thigpen, Gilmer
McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett and Jerry Sroka. |
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Since
the 70's, Godspell has been in continuous performance
by both professional and amateur groups, in the United
States and abroad. German, France and Spanish
versions of the musical still play to packed houses in Europe
and elsewhere around the world.
Dozens
of albums, in English and other languages, have been
produced. Including a sing-a-long
"karaoke" version in 1993. Styles
have varied from Techno to reggae, as each cast reinterpreted
the musical for their time and audience. Godspell
made news in the early 80's when Stephen Schwartz refused to
allow any performances in South Africa until they
agreed to an integrated cast (including a black Jesus) in
spite of Apartheid. |
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1999,
Gotee Records, a Christian recording company, repacked
the 1971 Godpsell album for release as a 2 CD set aimed
at the Christian audience. It included interviews with
Schwartz and others from the original production as well as
interviews with various popular Christian artists
talking about the influence Godspell and its music has had on
their lives, and new version of the song By MY Side. |
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had an Off-Broadway revival in 2000 and is currently
touring with a new production produced by Scott
Schwartz, the son of Stephen Schwartz. It combines
the original music (some with new, more modern arrangements)
with an updated script and lots of high tech special
effects. |
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Fall 2003, Royal
Court Production presents its version of Godspell.
With permission from Theatre Maximus, we
have updated and enhanced the
traditional script, combining the hit music and
stories of the 70's with humor drawn
from today's culture. We have also given it
a deeper spirituality.
Bring the whole family
and enjoy this uplifting, spiritual and refreshing
time
together. |
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