Book Review: The Godspell Experience by Carol de Giere

The Godspell Experience Inside a Transformative Musical is the inside story of the classic musical GODSPELL written by local author Carol de Giere, the author of Defying Gravity which I recently finished reading.

Ms. de Giere has gathered fresh comments from Stephen Schwartz and Trudy Tebelak Williams, the sister of John-Michael Tebelak (who died in 1985,) the man who conceived the musical and directed the first productions. She spoke with original cast members Herb Braha, Peggy Gordon, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Sonia Manzano, Gilmer McCormick, Stephen Nathan, and the original stage manager, Nina Faso.

There are comments from movie cast members (in addition to Jonas, Lamont, and McCormick) Katie Hanley and Jerry Sroka, as well as Lynne Thigpen before she passed away. She also spoke with Carnegie Mellon University cast members Bob Ari (formerly Robert Miller), Mary Maziotti, and Andy Rohrer, as well as additional cast members from later productions, friends, and others connected with the show like Dean Pitchford, George Salazar, Don Scardino, Paul Shaffer, Susan Tsu, and many others.

In his Foreword to the book, composer Stephen Schwartz shares some of his favorite personal memories from the earliest days of Godspell. Mr. Schwartz notes in the forward that he found the book to be thoroughly researched and was surprised by some of the details about the development of the show that even he never knew before.

I considered myself pretty knowledgeable about this special musical when I requested a copy of the book at my local library, but I must admit that I learned a lot of details about the genesis of the show. The copy I read came from the Ridgefield Library, and I hope to be finished with my review before it is due back to my library.

GODSPELL opened in May of 1971 before I was even a teenager. Decades later it remains one of the most frequently performed shows around the world. I believe that it was the second show that I saw on Broadway, with the first being THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, a show that I saw on a high school field trip. GODSPELL was the show I chose as a gift for my graduation from high school. I distinctly remember that Sonia Manzano was a member of the cast that I saw at the matinee and that whoever portrayed John/Judas stood right next to my seat to play the shofar at the beginning of “Prepare Ye.” I know that I loved every minute, but I wish I could remember more about the performance since I have misplaced my program.

I am sure that I purchased the red vinyl album as well as the soundtrack of the movie (which I still have.) I think I bought the soundtrack first and then compared the arrangements to the Broadway cast versions, but it may have been the reverse. I am certain that I played both of them incessantly and quickly learned every word and note. It quickly became, and remains to this day, one of my all time favorites. I have lost count of how many productions of GODSPELL I have seen, from those with high school performers, to university productions, to community theatres, and to those in Equity houses.

As far as I can see, it truly never gets old. I love to see how each director will envision the show, following Mr. Schwarz director’s notes. I used to know every note and lyric (until the 2011 Broadway revival came along, of course) so I noticed when music was changed.

This history helps to explain why I enjoyed Ms. de Giere’s book so much. The first part is a long and detailed description of the rich developmental history of the musical. This is followed by chapters that help the reader to understand the concepts that make the show so unique, with lots of colorful details. One of my favorite sections was the song by song background of every single musical number in the score that I know so well, even those that were eliminated from the film version. The “Godspell Grab Bag” includes a wonderful chapter about the making of the movie, and another that is a fascinating look at the 2011 Broadway revival. The latter made me wish even more that I had been able to see this version starring Hunter Parrish.

I did not realize how important the improvisation by all of the actors involved was to the formation of the two acts; it was truly a collaborative process that was not written down until long after. I found the details about the lighting, the make up and the costumes to be fascinating. Did you know that Martin Short and Gilda Radner were in the Toronto GODSPELL cast? Not to mention Victor Garber (who played Jesus in the movie version,) Andrea Martin (PIPPIN on Broadway with Terrance Mann) and Eugene Levy? I sure didn’t.

The numerous black and white photos in the book also add much to the narrative, and the lyrics of every song are included in Part III, but no sheet music.

As quoted in the book, Stephen Nathan says, “Godspell was really all based on play, the innocence of children who see the world uncorrupted—that is how the whole piece evolved. Through improvisations we found what worked and what didn’t work. Ultimately, in the rehearsal process, we solidified those moments that seemed alive and true, and suited the structure of the piece. It was a very transformative process.”

I recommend The Godspell Experience to my fellow theatre people. Fans like me, performers, and directors will find essential material to enhance their understanding of this beloved show. You can order a signed copy of the book from the author’s website.

The companion website is www.TheGodspellExperience.com

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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