Hunter Parrish Reflects on His Heavenly Time as Jesus in Godspell

In the corporate world, employees leaving a job are often asked to sit through a sometimes grueling "exit interview" about their time at the company. Although that concept doesn't exist for Broadway performers, we think it's fun to check in with stars as they finish up a successful run. Below, Godspell star Hunter Parrish, who will play his final performance on April 15, looks back on the six months he spent playing Jesus in the first-ever Broadway revival of the Stephen Schwartz musical.

Employee Name:
Hunter Parrish

Job You’re Leaving:
Jesus in Godspell

Why are you leaving?
I die eight times a week...I'm pretty beat up. I really want to live again. [Parrish is also returning as Silas Botwin for the eighth season of TV’s Weeds.]

Date of departure:
April 15

Looking back, how did you feel when you first got the job?
Elated. I walked into a meeting with [producer] Ken Davenport with the hope that he would pull me into a final group of potential "Godspellers." He offered me the part. I was joyously terrified.

And how do you feel now that you’re leaving?
It's bittersweet. I love this show. I have learned so much about my craft and about myself in the last six months. I'm excited to move on to other opportunities, but this experience has strengthened the way I view myself and my work. Above all, I look forward to lifelong friendships with this cast and crew. As with every Godspell cast, it seems, we are bonded for life.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience at the job?
Enlightening. Liberating. Exhausting.

What was the easiest thing about the job?
Laughing.

What was the hardest thing?
Maintaining my vocal health.

What was the highlight of your time at the job?
Traveling to Chicago with the cast to film The Rosie Show. It was a celebration of our show and of us as individual performers. That pretty much solidified our friendship and joyful Broadway run together.

What skills do you think are required for future job applicants?
Believe in yourself, work your butt off, invest in Red Bull…and prayer.

What advice would you give to future employees in your job position?
Pace yourself. Give love without restrictions, yourself included. Have the time of your life.

What will you miss most about the job?
The obvious answer for me is the cast and crew, but we're friends so I'll see them often. So I'll say the opportunity to share a theater with them six nights a week. Maybe we'll do a reunion in 10 years...one can dream.