“Godspell,” a musical based on parables from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, will be presented by the Chattanooga State Theatre Department this weekend.
John-Michael Tebelak created the musical as a college project in 1970 while at Carnegie Mellon University. Most of the score’s lyrics were from the Episcopal hymnal. When it moved on to bigger stages, Stephen Schwartz wrote the new song score, incorporating a variety of musical styles, from pop to folk rock to gospel and vaudeville.
Eventually, “Godspell” became one of the longest-running off-Broadway musicals ever, with 2,124 performances. It won a Grammy Award for Best Score From an Original Cast Album. Its songs include “Day by Day,” “All for the Best” and “All Good Gifts.”
“As the cast of actor/clowns makes its way through (the songs), we, as audience members get to see the parables of Jesus Christ come humanly and hearteningly to life,” Schwartz said of the show. “The show also touchingly presents the story of Jesus’ last moments beginning with the Last Supper.”
Rex Knowles is producing the Chattanooga State production. He and his wife, Sherry Landrum, who is directing and choreographing, were cast in the eighth national touring company of the show in 1972.