Godspell - the 50th anniversary concert. Streaming 28 & 20 August 2020. 4****. William Russell
Directed by Michael Strassen and headed by Ruthie Henshall, Darren Day, Ria Jones. Jenna Russell and the youthful Sam Tutty has been effectively staged and is being shown in suport of the charities - Hope Mill Theatre, Acting for Others and National AIDS Trust. The show opened off Broadway in 1971, came to London in the same year and was filmed a couple of years later finally making it to Broadway in 1976. The book by John Michael Tebelak is a series of parables loosely based on the Gospel of St Matthew and ends with the passion of Christ.
It has been regularly revived over the years and the best known number is probably Day by Day. The cast and chorus recorded their performances at home and they have been splendidly mixed to provide something to watch as well as to listen to. Henshall and Day featured in the 1993 cast recording. Schwartz's other shows include Pippin and the recently seen Prince of Egypt.
The photograph shows Henshall singing Turn Back O man while taking a bubble bath.
Cast - Ruthie Henshall, Darren Day, Ria Jones, Sam Tutty, Jenna Russell, Jerome Bell, Jenny Fitzpatrck, Alison Jiear, Danyl Johnson, Sally Ann Triplett, Jodie Steele, Matthew Croke, Natalie Green, Lucy Williamson, John Barr, Ronald Brian, Shekinah McFarlane.
Director: Michael Strassen.
Musical Director: George Carter.
Sound Design: Cyrus Brandon.
Video Design & Editor: John Walsh.