Godspell at Jacksonville Theater Guild, Sophie Leschin Auditorium

Told almost entirely in song, Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60's/early 70's featuring Jesus Christ as a wandering minstrel dressed like a circus clown. By blowing on an instrument that reaches only the ears of a select few around the bustliing city, John the Baptist summons nine simpatico hippies to a fountain in Central Park, where they revel in the waters of their baptism. When Christ joins the group, the free-flowing fraternal love solidifies into a desire to spread the Word of God around the city. Outfitting themselves in a nearby junkyard that bursts with color, the lively group makes its way around a sparsely populated fairy-tale version of the city, re-enacting Biblical parables with great enthusiasm and flamboyance. Opting for a lighter yet more devout approach than its thematically similar Jesus Christ Superstar,, Godspell features an equivalent number of hummable hit songs, notably "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord," "By My Side" and "Day by Day."

Authors

• Jay Hamburger
• John-Michael Tebelak
• Peggy Gordon
• St. Matthew
• Stephen Schwartz