Godspell Revival Headed for Broadway in Summer 2008

A revival Godspell is headed for Broadway in the summer of 2008, according to an announcement from producer Adam Epstein. The production will play at a yet-to-be-determined Shubert house, directed by Daniel Goldstein, who staged the show at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2006, and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.

The forthcoming production marks the first Broadway revival of Godspell since it transferred from a smash-hit off-Broadway run to the Broadhurst Theatre in 1976. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Wicked, Pippin, The Magic Show and book by John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell played a total of more than 2,600 performances between 1971 and 1977. A 1973 feature film version starred Victor Garber as Jesus, who headlined the legendary Toronto production alongside Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Gilda Radner, Dave Thomas and Martin Short. The show's signature song "Day By Day" reached #13 on the Billboard Top 100 list.

"When I saw Daniel Goldstein's production of Godspell, I was overpowered by its vibrancy and relevance," Epstein said in a statement. "This Broadway production will take that experience to an even more glorious level." Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, Godspell brings the parables of Jesus Christ to life onstage.

Spring Awakening's Tony-nominated star, Jonathan Groff, was originally scheduled to play Jesus in the Paper Mill production but bowed out in favor of making his Broadway debut in the Duncan Sheik/Steven Sater musical. Dan Kohler replaced Groff in a cast that also included Uzo Aduba, Sarah Bolt, Sara Chase, Holly Davis, Robin de Jesus, Joshua Henry, Patrick Heusinger, Anika Larsen, Telly Leung, Megan Lewis and Julie Reiber. Casting for the Broadway production has not been announced.

The most recent New York staging of the show, in August 2000 at the York Theatre at St. Peter's Church, starred Barrett Foa as Jesus in a cast that also included Leslie Kritzer, Capathia Jenkins, Shoshana Bean, Chad Kimball and Will Erat.

The new production of Godspell will reunite the Paper Mill Playhouse design team of David Korins scenic design, Miranda Hoffman costumes, Ben Stanton lighting Randy Hanson sound.