[Melindaisy]

We will be starting rehearsals for Godspell in another month and a half or so. We haven't gotten the material yet, and have been wondering how is the alternate prologue different from the original one?



Thanks!

[Monsieur D'Arque]

Do you mean the Alex Lacamoire "Yellow Album" prologue?

If so, the vocal harmonies are a little different, a few of the philosophers are changed, but otherwise not much.

However, you won't get a recording of the backing track used on the tour, so the techno-thing is out unless your band is talented enough to pull off the music for it, which is included in the Lacamoire score. Be warned, though- you'll need a million synths and a DJ.

[Matt Rools You]

My performance was based on a group of teen going to see a rock show, so we cut the prologue and skipped to "Prepare Ye." I liked it.

[Melindaisy]

Well, we won't have a bunch of synthesizers....

My husband is directing and was curious as to how it is different. I don't know why they don't send you both options with the perusal material...so you could plan ahead.

Cutting the prologue is in strict violation of the performance agreement and copyright laws. I am always amazed at how little respect people have for the author's work and original intention.

[Brother Marvin Hinten, S.]

Guys, she means the new lyrics. Don't worry, ma'am, I'm gonna dig out the email Michael Cole, Stephen's assistant, initially sent out with the new ones. Peace!

[Melindaisy]

[musicology]

Here are the new words, cut & pasted from the forum at:-
http://www.stephenschwartz.com//ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=askstephen&Number=534&Forum=All_Forums&Words=prologue%20&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=534&Search=true#Post534

JESUS

My name is known: God and King. I am most in majesty, in whom no beginning may be and no end. Highest in potency I am and have been ever. I have made stars and planets in their courses to go. I have made a moon for the night and a sun to light the day also. I have made earth, where trees and grasses spring, beasts and fowl, both great and small, all thrive and have my liking. I have made All of Nothing for Man’s sustenation. And of this pleasant Garden, that I have mostly goodly planted, I will make him Gardener, for his own re-creation.

SOCRATES

I honor and love you. But I shall obey God rather than you. And while I have life and strength, I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy. For know that this is the command of God; and I believe that no greater good has ever happened in the state than my service to the God. For I do nothing but go about persuading you all, old and young alike, not to take thought for your persons or your properties, but first and chiefly to take care about the greatest improvement of the soul. This is my teaching. And if this is the doctrine, which corrupts the youth, then I am a mischievous person.
But if anyone says that this is not my teaching, then he is speaking an untruth….

SONG: TOWER OF BABBLE

SOCRATES

WHEREFORE, O MEN OF ATHENS
I SAY TO YOU:
THEREFORE AQUIT ME OR NOT
BUT WHICHEVER YOU DO
I SHALL NEVER ALTER MY WAYS
NEVER ADJUST MY APPROACH TO THIS MAZE
NEVER REFORM TILL THE END OF MY DAYS
EVEN IF I HAVE TO DIE MANY TIMES

THOMAS ACQUINAS

GOD IS APPREHENDED BY IMAGINATION, INTUITION
REASON, TOUCH, OPINION, SENSE, AND NAME (AND SO ON)
BUT ON QUITE THE OTHER HAND, WE FIND WE CAN’T BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND HIM
SO TO SOME IT SEEMS A
SHAME TO GO ON
BUT HE IS ALL THINGS IN ALL
AND HE IS NOTHING IN ANY
HE IS OFTEN FOUND IN ONE THING SMALL
CONVERSELY HE IS OFTEN MISSED IN MANY …

GALLILEO

GOD ENDOWS US
WITH SENSE AND INTELLECT
GOD ENDOWS US
WITH REASON WE NEGLECT
SO DESPITE THE ABOLITION
BY THE CURRENT INQUISITION
OF ANY INTUITION
THAT THEY DON’T CHOOSE
WHEN IT COMES TO GOD, I FIND
I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT HE DESIGNED
A HUMAN BEING WITH A MIND…

HE’S NOT SUPPOSED TO USE.

LEONARDO DA VINCI

THE RISE OF MAN …
IS NATURAL
AND EXPLICABLE
IF GOD BY INACTION
HAS GIVEN MAN THE STAGE
WE CAN HARDLY BE
AGHAST …
THAT UP WE’RE RAISED …
THAT WE SHOULD BE
SUBLIME …
FOR ALL TIME!

(In counterpoint)

JONATHAN EDWARDS

THE WRATH OF GOD ...
IS NATURAL
WE ARE DESPICABLE!
IF MAN'S MALEFACTION
SENDS GOD INTO A RAGE
WE CAN HARDLY BE AGHAST...
THAT DOWN WE'RE CAST...
THAT GOD DAMNS US...
FOR ALL TIME!

L. RON HUBBARD

NOTHING
IS TRUE
UNLESS
OBSERVED
BY YOU

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE

ATHEISTIC EXISTENTIALISM
WHICH I REPRESENT
IS MORE COHERENT
I DO BELIEVE IT …

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

THE GLORY OF GOD WE ARE BORN TO MAKE MANIFEST …

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HUMAN NATURE
NOT IN ALL OR FEW MEN
SINCE THERE IS NO GOD TO CONCEIVE IT …

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

THE GLORY OF GOD WE ARE BORN TO MAKE MANIFEST …

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. But as we let our own light shine, we give others permission to do the same. That is why we are, each of us, a child of God.

ALL EIGHT

SO HIGH
IN MY
LOVELY I-
V’RY TOWER OF BABBEL
BABBLE, BABBLE, BABBLE
BABBLE, BABBLE, BABBLE, BABBLE
HIGH ABOVE THE RABBLE
RABBLE, RABBLE, RABBLE
BABBLE, RABBLE, BABBLE, BABBLE, RABBLE, BABBLE
GREATEST MIND OF HISTORY
SOLVING LIFE’S SWEET MYSTERY

GROUP 1 GROUP 2
SO LISTEN TO ME
SO LISTEN TO ME
KNOW HOW LIFE
SHOULD BE
KNOW HOW LIFE
SHOULD BE
OH,

ALL EIGHT

WHAT DOES IT MATTER IF THEY DON’T AGREE!

[Melindaisy]

Thank you for replying.....

that forum looks interesting as well!

[TwiceUponaTime]

We were sent both versions....

[Melindaisy]

Both options came with the perfomance package (we'll be using the new one, so says the director).

The perusal material was just the libretto, without any added material.

We will also be using the song "Beautiful City" for which you need to pay additional rolyalties.

Thanks all for your replies!