Broadway Preview: Godspell
Broadway Preview: GodspellDay by day, I keep waiting for additional news to surface regarding the planned Broadway revival of Stephen Schwartz's seminal work Godspell.
It had originally been announced that this Great White Way revival, first mounted two years ago at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse, would begin sometime this month. Now, from checking Telecharge's ticketing information, the tuner won't begin previews until September 29, with its opening set for October 23 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
Still, it's a little unsettling that more information isn't available other than that Gavin Creel is set to return to Broadway as the musical's Christ-like figure. Fortunately, Creel himself wrote the following on his own blog just this past Monday:
so the news is out:Absent from the Great White Way for three years, Creel has returned from his stint as Bert in the London stage version of Mary Poppins. I caught both of Creel's previous Broadway credits including his Tony-nominated 2002-03 turn as Jimmy Smith in the Tony-winning Best Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie and his portrayal as the selfish son Jean-Michel in the 2004-05 Tony-winning Best Revival of a Musical La Cage Aux Folles.
Godspell has found it’s [sic] home: the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on 47th street in NYC.
previews begin: sept 29
official opening: oct 23
IT’S EXCITING! I’m really starting to gear up and so is this amazing creative team. the stuff I have heard about the show so far sounds really thrilling. I don’t want to speak to [sic] soon but...I have a feeling some pretty beautiful/powerful/fun energy is coming to Manhattan in the fall. prepare ye...
That’s the first bit of news and more scoop coming. (i.e. who else is gonna be up there playing on that stage) ...but that’s all I can report right now. soon...
While Godspell initially enjoyed a long Off-Broadway run from 1971-76 at the Cherry Lane Theatre, it didn't land on a Rialto stage until 1976. Nevertheless, Schwartz earned a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. Perhaps the best-known performer in that mounting was Paul Shaffer ("Late Show With David Letterman") on keyboards. Once there, the show played 527 performances.
The creative team for the revival includes direction from Daniel Goldstein, choreography by Christopher Gattelli (Altar Boyz), scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Miranda Hoffman and lighting design from Ben Stanton.
So what are the prospects for success for this first revival of Godspell to hit Broadway? Given the continued, immense popularity of Schwartz's current hit Wicked, I have little doubt that Godspell will score all for the best.
Group tickets are currently on sale via Telecharge.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
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Broadway Preview: A Tale Of Two Cities (June 28, 2008)
Broadway Preview: for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf (June 25, 2008)
Broadway Preview: [title of show] (June 24, 2008)
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Labels: Broadway, First Word On New Show, Gavin Creel, Godspell, Musical, Revival, Stephen Schwartz, Transfer
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Sunday, July 06, 2008
6 Comments:
The rumor going around now is that Diana Degarmo, who played Penny in Hairspray, is going to be either Robin or Joanne in the Godspell Broadway revival. No idea when that can be verified as true or false.
Thanks for the tip, Anonymous. I've been having difficulty finding much in the way of information anywhere on Godspell, so even a trickle of news is helpful.
I must say that I'm not at all excited about this revival, despite my usual affinity for any show in which I have performed.
Mondschein, Given the dearth of information, it's easy not to get excited.
But do tell us when and where you were in Godspell.
Do you have any contacts in the show that might be able to verify, even off the record, if Diana is going to be in the show? I loved her as Penny Pingleton and would love to know if this is rumor or fact.
Anonymous, I'm trying to dig in...
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