Tiverton Junior Operatic Club

2012

      Rose Bowl report here ....(click)

Set against a modern backdrop, Godspell was the brainchild of John-Michael Tebelak and upcoming composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Schwartz has also written such hit musicals as Pippin, The Baker’s Wife, Children of Eden, and Wicked and collaborated on the Disney animated features Pocahontas and The hunchback of Notre Dame.

Godspell opened off-Broadway on 17 May 1971, and instantly became the talk of the town; so much so, in fact, that it was moved to the larger Promenade theatre on August 10, 1971 to accommodate the demand for tickets. Five years later, it transferred again, this time to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway, where it arrived on 22 June 1976. By the time it closed after another nine years, the show had accumulated a total of 2645 performances. A London version, which came to the Wyndham’s Theatre on 17 November 1971, likewise enjoyed a long run of 1128 performances, staring David Essex as Jesus and Jeremy Irons as John the Baptist.

This is the TJOC's second production of this musical, following a successful run in 1994. The show is full of memorable songs, including "Day by Day", "Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord", "All for the Best" and "On The Willows".