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Tom
Off-Broadway Lead
Joined: Fri Apr 19, 2002 5:27 pm Posts: 193 Location: Cincinnati, OH
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 FAQ
GODSPELL: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
The characters are called by the first names of the original cast members:
Jesus (called Stephen in original script)- Must be the most charismatic individual in the cast. High energy, charming, funny, gentle but with strength. He is the sort of person others instinctively follow. (Tenor or high baritone G# top note)
John the Baptist/Judas (called David in original script)- He has attributes of both Biblical figures: he is both Jesus' lieutenant and most ardent disciple and the doubter who begins to question and rebel. Like Jesus, he is also charismatic, but in more of an overt revolutionary way. Usually played by someone handsome and masculine, with an undertone of sexuality. He is the most "serious" and intellectual of the group, though as with all the actors, he must still possess a good sense of physical comedy. (Baritone Eb top solo note, should have an E for harmonies)
Jeffrey- Very high energy. Impish and playful. In the original, he played several musical instruments, including concertina and recorder. (Tenor - falsetto high D above staff)
Lamar- Not the brightest in the bunch, he is a little slow on the uptake. But there is a great sweetness and innocence about him. Because he sings "All Good Gifts," he must be a very good singer. (Tenor – high A)
Herb- The comedian, the class clown. The guy who can do a hundred voices and imitations. This is also the role that sings the least, so it is wise to cast it for a comedian rather than a vocalist. (Baritone, should have an E for harmonies)
Robin- A bit of a tomboy, but basically open and sweet. She is the first of the group to commit to following Jesus in the song "Day by Day." (Alto or Mezzo)
Joanne- The confident one, the show-off. The first one to volunteer, sometimes jumps in before she really understands what's going on. (Soprano – high A in Bless the Lord, high C ("violin" note) in We Beseech Thee)
Peggy- The shy one. Sometimes a little slow to get things, but when she does, she commits all the way. Has an "earth mother" kind of warmth to her. (Alto)
Sonia- Sassy and slightly cynical, the most urban of the group. Also the "sexy" one, but her sexiness contains a large element of put-on, in the manner of Mae West or Madonna(who in fact once played this role). (Alto – low D below the staff)
Gilmer- The female equivalent of the class clown. Goofy and a cut-up. this is the female role that sings least, and therefore should be cast with a strong comedienne. (Mezzo)
SONGS AND SINGERS (according to the score, but there is flexibility in Godspell)
PROLGUE(TOWER OF BABBLE) – Company minus John the Baptist/Judas & Stephen
PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD- John the Baptist and company
SAVE THE PEOPLE- Jesus and company
DAY BY DAY- Robin and company
LEARN YOUR LESSONS WELL- Gilmer
BLESS THE LORD- Joanne and company
ALL FOR THE BEST- Jesus and Judas
ALL GOOD GIFTS- Lamar and company (Jeffrey on recorder)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD- Herb, Peggy, Jeffrey, Robin and company
LEARN YOUR LESSONS WELL (REPRISE)- Lamar
TURN BACK O MAN- Sonia, Jesus and company
ALAS FOR YOU- Jesus
BY MY SIDE- Peggy, Gilmer and company
WE BESEECH THEE- Jeffrey and company
ON THE WILLOWS- The Band
FINALE- Jesus and company
THE GODSPELL MOTTO
(Spoken by the original Godspell cast nightly before they went onstage)
Keep the corners of your mouth turned up.
Speak in a low, persuasive tone.
Listen; be teachable.
Laugh at good stories and learn to tell them...for as long as you are green, brother, you can grow.
Last edited by Tom on Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:43 am |
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what_the_heck013
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:43 pm Posts: 3365 Location: <310
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This is really helpful. I think it should be stickied.
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Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:56 pm |
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DramaRobin2002
Broadway Legend
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2002 10:58 am Posts: 664 Location: Good 'ole suburban PA!
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We've tried to get it stickied before, but no one's ever done it for us  .
_________________ [color=red]"You can talk to birds?"[/color]
[color=indigo]Currently: Henrietta in "All Shook Up"[/color] [color=blue]Previously: Madge Fuller in "George Washington Slept Here Sister Robert Anne in "Nunsense"[/color]
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Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:22 am |
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Buff Daddy
Broadway Legend
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 6:06 pm Posts: 1148 Location: Australia
Main Role: Performer
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I've PM'd Beagle who is one of the moderators of this forum and asked if he can do it for us.
Buff 
_________________ 2003 Forum Award Winner Best Personality All-Star Musical Character Enjolras (Les Mis) Theme Song "Do You Hear the People Sing" (Les Mis)
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Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:47 pm |
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Beagle On Stage
Joined: Sun Apr 21, 2002 6:32 pm Posts: 4606 Location: One hell of a glass house
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Anytime. 
_________________
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Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:00 pm |
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DramaRobin2002
Broadway Legend
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2002 10:58 am Posts: 664 Location: Good 'ole suburban PA!
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Yay! Thanks Beagle! Not forgetting the "little people"  .
_________________ [color=red]"You can talk to birds?"[/color]
[color=indigo]Currently: Henrietta in "All Shook Up"[/color] [color=blue]Previously: Madge Fuller in "George Washington Slept Here Sister Robert Anne in "Nunsense"[/color]
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Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:34 pm |
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what_the_heck013
Broadway Legend / MdN Veteran
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:43 pm Posts: 3365 Location: <310
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I think every forum should have something like this.
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Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:49 pm |
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Buff Daddy
Broadway Legend
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 6:06 pm Posts: 1148 Location: Australia
Main Role: Performer
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Thanks Beagle!
Buff 
_________________ 2003 Forum Award Winner Best Personality All-Star Musical Character Enjolras (Les Mis) Theme Song "Do You Hear the People Sing" (Les Mis)
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Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:58 pm |
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drakesmainer
Young Hoofer
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 6:35 pm Posts: 34 Location: NY
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I was just thinking that it might be nice to add some more information...like more specific voice ranges for characters/songs (as in notes) I seem to remeber this info. being somewhere on our forum..but so many posts ask for ranges or the violin note in "we beseech thee" that this might be helpful
_________________ ::::Gilmer::::her puppets::::1776 overature::::
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Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:41 pm |
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okcomputer
Fresh Face
Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:50 am Posts: 19 Location: Nova Scotia
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I believe this is the site you're looking for ( http://www.stageagent.com/shows.php?id=1020).
Jesus — A charming and charismatic man who wants to help mankind.
Role: Lead
Age: 25 - 35
Sex: M
Voice: Tenor (high: A♭4)
Dancing: Medium
John the Baptist / Judas — A follower of Jesus who questions everything.
Role: Lead
Age: 25 - 35
Sex: M
Voice: Baritone (high: E4)
Dancing: Medium
Gilmer — The female comedian who is goofy, cute and has high energy.
Role: Supporting
Age: 20 - 40
Sex: F
Voice: Mezzo
Dancing: Light
Herb — A comedian who is always cracking jokes and goofing off, but who is also genuine and gentle too.
Role: Supporting
Age: 20 - 40
Sex: M
Voice: Baritone (high: E4)
Dancing: Light
Jeffrey — The youngest follower who is energetic, playful and loves to have fun. (Sometimes sings in falsetto)
Role: Supporting
Age: 16 - 25
Sex: M
Voice: Tenor (high: D5)
Dancing: Light
Joanne — The confident and high spirited show-off of the group who is ready to try anything.
Role: Supporting
Age: 21 - 32
Sex: F
Voice: Soprano (high: C6)
Dancing: Medium
Lamar — Not the brightest of the followers, but very kind, sweet and innocent.
Role: Supporting
Age: 18 - 32
Sex: M
Voice: Tenor (high: A4)
Dancing: Light
Peggy — Shy, quiet and sometimes slow, but also very motherly and devout.
Role: Supporting
Age: 25 - 45
Sex: F
Voice: Mezzo
Dancing: Light
Robin — A bit of a tomboy, but open and sweet. She is Jesus' most devout follower.
Role: Supporting
Age: 18 - 32
Sex: F
Voice: Alto
Dancing: Light
Sonia — The sassy, edgy and seductive one who is very urban and a bit cynical too.
Role: Supporting
Age: 20 - 32
Sex: F
Voice: Alto (low: D3)
Dancing: Light
Ensemble — The show is written for 10 characters but a chorus is always
optional and works just fine.
Role: Chorus
Age: 6 - 99
Sex: N/A
Voice: N/A
Dancing: Medium
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Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:45 am |
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Brother Marvin Hinten, S.
Broadway Legend
Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 2:48 pm Posts: 1503 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island
Current Obsession: Many
Main Role: Fan
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MY ADDITION:
Looking into directing Godspell yourself? Feel free to consult others here, or better yet, buy Spotlight on Godspell, a new book by John McTavish, one of the original "Spellers" post-'77 and onward, chock full of suggestions for pepping up your production with jokes and topical references.
_________________ Originally joined April 18, 2002 1,452 posts on original forum ("Broadway Legend" rank)
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Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:57 pm |
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Nettik
Tony Winner
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 7:32 am Posts: 478 Location: USA
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When does Sonia's low D come in?
_________________ Currently: The Corporal`s Widow in The Government Inspector
Upcoming: none
Past: Twin #2 in Peter Pan, Milkmaid/Chorus in Oliver, Belinda in A Christmas Carol
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Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:25 am |
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