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.

This is really helpful. I think it should be stickied.

We've tried to get it stickied before, but no one's ever done it for us .

I've PM'd Beagle who is one of the moderators of this forum and asked if he can do it for us.

Buff

Anytime.

Yay! Thanks Beagle! Not forgetting the "little people" .

I think every forum should have something like this.

Thanks Beagle!

Buff

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

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

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.

When does Sonia's low D come in?