Godspell is a time-honored musical that touches on the themes of life, loyalty, and love as told in a series of parables, according to the Gospel of Matthew. The musical, which first came to Broadway in 1971, was one of the first musical theatre offerings from composer Stephen Schwartz who would later go on to write such well-known hits as Wicked, Pippin, and Children of Eden.
The Story of Godspell
Godspell has been a favorite musical of theater groups and professionals for decades as it can be adapted to different audiences and settings. The story of Godspell follows a series of well-known parables that are found in the Gospel of Matthew and are told by philosophers and thinkers as well as by Jesus directly. The cast uses many different acting methods such as comedy, pantomime, and physical humor to tell the stories.
The music of Godspell can be described as both modern rock and rock opera depending upon the angle that each production takes. Musical favorites include “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” “Learn Your Lessons Well,” “All for the Best,” “All Good Gifts,” “Turn Back, O Man,” and “By My Side.”
As the parables continue throughout the performance, the last days of Jesus draw near and each cast member must deal with their own questions and doubts. Some of the most beloved, yet haunting scenes by the small cast are the Last Supper and the Crucifixion of Christ which leave audiences in tears.
Backdrops for Godspell
One of the more unique aspects of this spiritual and religious performance is that it can be set practically anywhere from an urban setting to one at a neighborhood playground thus emphasizing the concept that we are all children of Christ no matter where we are in the world.
Here are a few of our suggestions for potential backdrops that include urban and suburban settings as well as schools and outdoor locations. Choose what works best for your theater group and get started practicing this amazing and beloved musical.
A popular option for a backdrop is the city skyline. We suggest a few that may work for your organization’s performance. This Night Skyline Backdrop #2451 depicts a night skyline with a bridge and the reflection of city lights in the sky. This is perfect for the setting of a modern-day Godspell performance.
A daytime setting is also an option. This Daytime New York Skyline Backdrop #2226 shows an image of Downtown Manhattan with the Empire State Building prominently displayed.
For groups that wish to have a more historical twist to the performance, there are several backdrops that depict ancient cities and scenes. This Roman Street Backdrop #2213 gives the appearance of being in olden times with the Colonnade looking out over Rome.
Another option is the backdrop of the Egyptian Landscape #1970. This one shows the Pyramids and the Sphinx set against a light blue sky.
To explore all of the backdrops appropriate for Godspell visit the show suggestion page and get your order started.
