Godspell to open in Aug 2008

The Broadway revival of the landmark rock musical Godspell will open on Broadway in Aug 2008, following previews in Jul, according to a casting notice posted on 30 Oct 2007.

This new production marks the first Broadway revival of the American musical since its run ended thirty years ago. With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, The Magic Show) and book by John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell will reunite the creative team of the critically-acclaimed 2006 Paper Mill Playhouse conception in a completely new production, marking the Broadway debut of director Daniel Goldstein.

The casting call is for five males and five females for the following roles:

• Jesus: Male, early 20s. Strong singer: baritenor. Charismatic and intelligent, young leading man. Has a gentility mixed with a natural strength. You shouldn�t be able to take your eyes off of him. Essentially, a star. He should be boyish and yet very masculine. Along with the rest of the cast, needs to be a very funny, creative actor. Should be a strong mover.
• Judas / John The Baptist: Male, early 20s. Strong singer: baritenor. Charismatic and young. Very masculine. Something mysterious about him�sexy, even; he�s the rebel of the bunch. Incredibly charming and seductive. He�s a little dangerous. Should be a strong mover.

Each of the following roles is not identified by a character name (which will be the same as that of the actor cast) but by the song he or she sings:

• �All Good Gifts�: Male, early 20s. Strong singer: tenor. Has a warmth and innocence about him. Childlike. He�s the last of the bunch to come aboard. Wide open face. Innocent without being dumb. Just a little na�ve, simple. Should have a pure and amazing voice.
• �Light Of The World�: Male, early 20s. Strong singer: baritone. Extremely funny, creative character actor. Handsome, sexy and funny. He�s the kind of guy who can keep a room entertained with stories and imitations for hours. And gets the girl at the end of the night. Without being annoying. Voice should rock a bit. Actors not typically musical theater actors encouraged.
• �We Beseech Thee�: Male, early 20s. Strong singer: tenor. Impish and mischievous, though that doesn�t necessarily mean a small guy. Impish in spirit. Highly intelligent and energetic. Playful. Busting with energy, maybe a little A. D. D. Should be able to have a bit of gospel in him.
• �Day By Day�: Female, early 20s. Strong singer: soprano/belter. Somewhat simple in her thinking, but incredibly open emotionally. The first to join the group in full. A bit of a leader. Smart and creative, with a purity of spirit that can break your heart.
• �Learn Your Lessons�: Female, early 20s. Strong singer: soprano/belter. A bit shy at first, but comes out of her shell. Should be goofy and silly without really trying. Slightly awkward physically. Waiting to come into her own, and when she does, she is radiant and amazing.
• �Bless The Lord�: Female, early 20s. Strong singer: soprano/belter. Incredibly confident, and game for anything�always the first in line, just wants to experience life to its fullest. Extremely funny�not just jokey, but her entire being. Just looking at her makes you laugh.
• �Turn Back, O Man�: Female, early 20s. Strong singer: alto/belter. Should be sexy, but not slutty�urban, cynical and sophisticated, not trashy. Certainly likes being the center of attention, and uses everything she�s got to stay there.
• �By My Side�: Female, early 20s. Strong singer: alto/belter. Shyer than the others�has an earthy warmth to her. Should be vulnerable, easily hurt. Uses humor as her defense against the world.

Godspell embraces the 21st century in this new production of one of the longest-running Off-Broadway musicals. Using improvisation and contemporary themes to illustrate the parables, Godspell brings these lessons to life through the grand tradition of musical theatre. The score, by Academy and Grammy Award winner and six time Tony Award nominee Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin), features recognizable songs, such as "Day by Day", that have become staples of both the American musical theatre and popular culture alike. With a book by John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell is based upon "The Gospel of Matthew."

Godspell opened off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre on 13 May 1971 and in August of 1971 moved to the larger Promenade Theatre where it ran for 2,124 performances making it one of the longest running Off-Broadway musicals in history.

After five years of sold-out audiences Off-Broadway, Godspell made its Broadway debut on 22 Jun 1976 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The show moved to the Plymouth and the Ambassador before closing on 4 Sep 1977 after 527 performances. In all, the musical achieved more than 2,600 performances both on Broadway and off.