Musical theater lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz’s first hit musical was “Godspell,” which earned him a Grammy for best score from an original cast show album.
The show premiered off-Broadway in 1971. A Broadway revival premiered in late 2011 and closes The Beverly Theatre Guild’s 2023-24 season.
“The music is so contagious and catchy,” said Tor Campbell, director and choreographer of “Godspell — 2012 Revival” from May 3 to 5 at Morgan Park Academy’s Baer Theater in Chicago.
Music and new lyrics are by Schwartz, who also wrote the musicals “Pippin” and “Wicked” and contributed lyrics for films such as “Enchanted,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Pocahontas” and “The Prince of Egypt.”
“Godspell — 2012 Revival” songs include new arrangements of “Beautiful City,” “Day by Day,” and “Prepare Ye.”
“A lot of people know these stories. Whether you are Christian, whether you are Muslim, whether you are Jewish, people know the story of Jesus,” said Campbell of Chicago’s Rogers Park community.
Based on the Christian Gospel of Matthew, “Godspell — 2012 Revival” features book by John-Michael Tebelak, who conceived and originally directed the musical’s first version. The show is billed as using games, storytelling techniques and comic timing to relay parables Jesus shared with his disciples.
“For me, ‘Godspell’ is all about finding out how you can be a better person in life to make this world a better place,” said Campbell, who is working with a crew including residents of Chicago’s Ashburn and Beverly communities, Chicago’s Roscoe Village and Scottsdale neighborhoods, and Palos Heights.
Sterlin Johnson of Forest Park as Jesus and Ben Walker of Blue Island as John the Baptist/Judas lead “Godspell — 2012 Revival,” which Campbell explained was double cast because the musical calls for an ensemble.
The more than 20 actors include residents of Ashburn; Beverly; Calumet Heights; Chicago’s Andersonville and South Loop neighborhoods; Chicago’s Kenwood, Lakeview, Mount Greenwood and Washington Heights communities; Darien; Evergreen Park; Oak Lawn; Steger; Worth and Hammond, Indiana.
“When we did casting it was really important for people to be comfortable with improv,” said Campbell, who added that singing well was foremost.
“(They) follow each other’s heart and key in on each other’s energy.”
Campbell noted that his inaugural production with The Beverly Theatre Guild reflects current times by initially touching upon arguments about issues such as abortion, Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, genocide, gun laws and natural disasters.
“The show starts off with everybody in protest and all of them raising signs of everything imaginable. They drop those signs and turn into these followers of Jesus,” said Campbell, who cited “Bless the Lord,” which comes later in the musical, as one of his favorite numbers.
“I would love for people to come in with not only an open heart and an open mind but also looking at themselves and what they can do to create change. This is about self-reflection.”
He could be returning to the Southland soon after “Godspell — 2012 Revival.” Campbell is in conversation with Beverly Arts Center to offer adult dance classes there.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
‘Godspell — 2012 Revival’
When: 7:30 p.m. May 3-4; 2 p.m. May 4-5
Where: Morgan Park Academy’s Baer Theater, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago
Tickets: $25 adults; $23 ages 60 and older and U.S. military; $18 age 13 and younger
Information: 773-284-8497; beverlytheatreguild.org
