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GODSPELL
“DAY BY DAY”
(John-Michael Teblak, Stephen Schwartz)
Bell 45210
No. 13 July 29, 1972
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It was designed to be a two-act rock musical based upon the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Godspell’s
original conceiver, and later the author of the like-titled book, was one John-Michael Teblak, a Carnegie
Tech student who created the work as a requirement for his master’s program. Music and new lyrics
were furnished by Stephen Schwartz (b. Mar. 6, 1948, New York City). Stephen was a recent Juilliard
graduate and co-author, with Leonard Bernstein, of the English text for Bernstein’s Mass, the
commissioned work for the opening of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Godspell
debuted at Stephen’s alma mater, the Carnegie-Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh; its Big Apple opening took
place at the Cherry Lane Theatre on May 17, 1971 (the better-remembered Jesus Christ Superstar opened
a few months later).
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Original cast members, decked out in colorful clown costumes and facial make-up, included Lamar
Alford, Peggy Gordon (co-writer with Jay Hamburger of “By My Side”), David Haskell (as John the
Baptist and Judas), Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont (lead vocalist on “Day by Day”), Sonia Manzano,
Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Stephen Nathan (as Jesus), and Herb Simon. Despite the musical’s
near-blasphemous touches (like the portrayal of Jesus as having a clown’s red nose and wearing a
Superman T-shirt with striped overalls), most critics were liberal in their praise. Five singles from the
cast recording were issued, but none were noticed save the rousing “Day by Day.” The original
soundtrack album sold well.
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After 2,124 performances, Godspell was temporarily tucked away. It was revived in 1976 and ran for
over 500 performances on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. A filmed adaptation, directed by David
Greene, appeared in 1973.
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The cast of the London production, which stayed at Wyndham’s Theatre for near three years, featured
Julie Covington, DAVID ESSEX, Marti Webb, and Jeremy Irons. In Los Angeles, in 1993, Godspell-Now,
a reinterpretation in the light of the city’s 1992 riots was offered.
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