Godspell Study Guide - Home - Villanova Theatre

Gospel of Matthew 5:1-16GodspellJESUSFor they shall be called the children of God.HERBBlessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake JESUS(Opening his arm wide in an embracing gesture)For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven! JUDAS(Pointing to JESUS with great intensity)Blessed are you! .When men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you.falsely.Salt and Light13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, howcan it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except tobe thrown out and trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot behidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead theyput it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they maysee your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Light of the World (song)[HERB]You are the light of the world![CHORUS]You are the light of the world![HERB]But if that light is under a bushel,Brrr, it's lost something kind of crucial[CHORUS]You got to stay brightTo be the light of the world.[PEGGY]You are the salt of the earth.[CHORUS]You are the salt of the earth.[PEGGY]But if that salt has lost its flavor,It ain't got much in its favor.[CHORUS]You can't have that faultAnd be the salt of the earth.So let your light so shine before men.Let your light so shine,So that they might know some kindness again.We all need help to feel fine.[JUDAS]Let's have some wine![JEFFREY]You are the city of God.[CHORUS]You are the city of God.[JEFFREY]But if that city's on a hill,It's kinda hard to hide it well.[CHORUS]You've got to stay pretty in the city of God.So let your light so shine before men.Let your light so shine,So that they might know some kindness again.We all need help to feel fine.76

Discussion Questions (The Gospel of Matthew)Pre-Show Discussion Questions:1. Matthew ends the story of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with the following two lines: “When Jesus had finished sayingthese things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, / because he taught as one who had authority, and not as theirteachers of the law” (Matthew 7:28-29).What does it mean to teach as one who has authority? What other ways are there to teach? How do you imaginethe “teachers of the law” taught?2. The song, “Light of the World,” serves several functions. It operates as a vehicle to deliver Jesus’ message about beinga light, but it also serves as the song to end the first Act.What is the message that Jesus is delivering about salt and light?How might the song operate as an ideal vehicle to convey this message?Why might Tebelak and Schwartz have chosen to place this message about salt and light at the end of the firstAct?Pre-Show Activity:3. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ delivery of the Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount is, from all appearances,straightforward. Tebelak’s adaptation is not so straightforward. It begins with Joanne starting “another game.” A game?!Take about 15 minutes to imagine what this game might look like. What’s involved in the game? Is the gamesimple or complex? What is the cast doing? What happens at the end when Judas delivers his lines.(Note, the stage directions during Judas’ moment have been omitted.)If you are working with a group of people, put your imagined game into action.During-Show Activity:4. Pay attention to the “Beatitudes Game.” What does the game look like in this production? What happens during andafter Judas’ lines?Post-Show Discussion Question:5. In the Pre-Show Discussion Questions, you were asked to consider the function of the “Light of the World”song. Having seen the production, consider, again, how the song worked as a vehicle to convey the message about beingthe light of the world. What led up to the song? What took place during the song? What happened afterwards, bothduring the intermission and the start of Act II? Did the start of Act II have the same tone as the end of Act I? What wasthe same or different?87

ParablesA parable is a type of allegory. It is a very short and simple narrative that illustrates a religious lesson or moral. In themusical, Godspell, numerous parables are told. This is largely due to the Gospel of Matthew, which contains a number ofparables, but Tebelak drew from the Gospel of Luke as well, which contains some of the most well known parables,including “The Good Samaritan” and “The Prodigal Son.” Below is the Parable of the Sower as it exists in the Gospel ofMatthew.Gospel of Matthew 13:1-23The Parable of the Sower1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see withtheir eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did nothear it.18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in theirheart. This is the seed sown along the path.20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke theword, making it unfruitful.23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding ahundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”98

Discussion Questions (Parables)1. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ disciples question why Jesus speaks to the masses who have gathered around him inparables.What do you make of Jesus’ response to his disciples? Why is he speaking to the masses in parable?The fact that the disciples ask Jesus about his choice of parables suggests that there were other ways Jesuscould have conveyed his message. What other options could he have chosen when speaking to themasses? What might the drawbacks have been to these other options?2. Pantomime is the act of representing a story or song through gestures and miming. In the Villanova Theatre production,the “Parable of the Sower” is pantomimed by the cast. In your group or class, perform a pantomimed version of lines 3-8of the parable. If you are working with a large group of say 16 or more, split the group into 2 or more. Groups should ideally be no more than 10, since that’s about the size of the Godspell cast. As you are preparing your pantomime, considerthe following:What events in the parable have an action behind it that can be performed through gesture or miming? What might thosegestures look like?What characters are needed in order to convey the parable? Make sure everybody has something to do.Practice performing your pantomime a few times until you feel you have a good handle on it. Once you are done, if youwere split from a larger group, perform for each other.3. When you go to see the production, pay attention to the choices the cast makes in their performance of the “Parable ofthe Sower.” How do you think they did? If you practiced performing the parable as a group, were there any similaritiesbetween the choices you made and the choices the cast made?109

IconographyIconography is the visual representation of a person, object or concept that is accepted or recognized by a particularcommunity, society, or cultural group. For example, among Christian religions, an image of a dove represents the holyspirit, and because the holy spirit embodies the concept of God’s love for humanity, the dove has also come to representlove and peace among many people.In the Villanova Theatre production of Godspell, the iconography of Jesus is altered considerably. A person who hashistorically been conveyed as a male figure is being portrayed by an woman. Additionally in the Anglo-Americaniconography, Jesus is portrayed as a white male, usually with long, brown hair. But Villanova’s female Jesus is Asian.1. Research the various ways Jesus has been portrayed. How do different cultures portray him? How many differentways can you find? What do these various visions of Jesus reveal about us?2. Michael Hollinger in his essay, “Re-imaging Godspell with a gender-blind cast,” writes: “Watching an Asian womantake on the role of Jesus (rather than a white man, as is still most commonly done) invites us to consider “otherness”;it helps us question what it means and feels like to be considered an outsider within a dominant culture, long beforethe “right idea” becomes widely embraced.”As you are watching the musical, consider this statement. Where, in the production, did the sense of “otherness”resonate with you most?3. Take a few moments to write a reflection about your experience of seeing an Asian female portraying Jesus. Howhas it challenged your understanding of Jesus? Why might having our understanding challenged be a good thing?1110

A Closer Look at the MusicThe music in Godspell is quite catchy, and some of the songs have had a lasting impact since the musical’s firstappearance on Broadway. A person may be familiar with the song, “Day by Day,” without even knowing that it is fromGodspell since it has become such a part of popular culture. There’s another reason, however, that “Day by Day” mayresonate and sound familiar. It is an adaptation of a 1941 Episcopal hymn titled, “Day by Day, Dear Lord.” The lyrics aresimilar between the two versions, but Stephen Schwartz, who composed the score, makes the song more jazzy, morecatchy, so that by the time the third stanza of “Day by Day” is sung, one can’t help but want to sway or sing. Schwartzadapted a number of Episcopal hymns in a similar way, either changing the lyrics or composition or both. Below are twoversions of “Turn Back, O Man” with links to allow you to listen to both.Hymn: Turn Back, O Man1 Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.Old now is earth, and none may count her days,Yet thou, her child, whose head is crowned with flame,Still wilt not hear thine inner God proclaim,'Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.'2 Earth might be fair, and all men glad and wise.Age after age their tragic empires rise,Built while they dream, and in that dreaming weep:Would man but wake from out his haunted sleep,Earth might be fair, and all men glad and wise.3 Earth shall be fair, and all her people one;Nor till that hour shall God's whole will be done.Now, even now, once more from earth to sky,Peals forth in joy man's old, undaunted cry,'Earth shall be fair, and all her folk be one!'For other song comparisons, check out the ProductionDramaturg website created by Casey Berner.Godspell: Turn Back, O Man[SONIA]Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.Old now is earth, and none may count her days.Da da da da daYet thou, her child,Whose head is crowned with flames,Still will not hear thine inner God proclaim:Turn back, O man (Is your seat comfortable sir?)Turn back, O man (Mmm, I like that)Turn back, O man (Can you take it?)Forswear thy foolish ways.(See ya later I'm going to the front of the thee-AY-ter)Earth might be fair, and all men glad and wise.Age after age their tragic empires rise.Da da da da da.Built while they dream,And in that dreaming weep:Would man but wake from out his haunted sleep.Turn back, O man (Mm, I'll say it again)Turn back, O man (Can you see from where you're sittin'?)Turn back, O man (Hi ya big boy)Forswear thy foolish ways.[JESUS]Earth shall be fair, and all her people one;Not till that hour shall God's whole will be done.Now, even now, once more from earth to skyPeels forth in joy, man's old undaunted cry:Earth shall be fair, and all her people one![SONIA]C'mere, Jesus, I got something to show ya![CHORUS]Turn back, O man.Forswear thy foolish ways.Old now is earth, and none may count her days.[SONIA]Da da da da da.[CHORUS]Yet thou, her child,Whose head is crowned with flames,Still will not hear thine inner God proclaim.Turn back, O manTurn back, O man1211

Discussion Questions (Music)Pre-Show Discussions Question:1. Part 1: Listen to the hymn, “Turn Back, O Man.” What is the tone of the song? What is its message? What are men’sfoolish ways? Note, the second stanza provides some important insight into the hymns message. How do the tone andmessage align?Part 2: Now, listen to the Godspell version of the song. What’s its tone? Consider that the message as you understood itfrom the hymn is the same. How does the tone of the Godspell version align with the message?During-Show Activity:2. In the original production of Godspell, Galen’s character was the “sexy” one. That particular performance of thecharacter seems a bit dated in our time. Pay attention to how Galen performs this particular song. Pay attention to herrelationship with Jesus and Jesus relationship to her. Consider Jesus role in the song. It’s interesting that Jesus is givena portion of the song to sing. Consider why that might be as you watch the performance. And finally, pay attention to thescene that follows the song.Post-Show Discussion Question:3. Why do you think Tebelak and Schwartz decided to have Jesus perform a portion of the song? What is accomplished inhaving Jesus do so? How does the inclusion of the song, “Turn Back, O Man,” inform the subsequent scenes?1312

An Interview with an Actor: Megan SlaterMegan Lee Schumacher You are performing the John the Baptist/Judas role in Godspell. Do you see this roleas two separate characters or one and why?Megan Slater Such a good question because they are two historical figures, they actually existed, these men, but thetransition as an actor from one to the other without a big costume change, without a big vocal or physical change, doesn’tfeel right. So, in my mind, the way I am settling on it is they are two sides of the same coin, where they both are devoutfollowers that are almost a toe towards fanatical. They just are so eager to be a part of the community and do what isright. So I think they have more in common than not. It’s still early, though. I think that’s the other thing I’ll say aboutthese questions. We still haven’t finished blocking the whole play. I think for me a big part of my process is going to begoing back to the beginning and putting it all together to sort of try and figure out this complicated arc. And I think one ofthe questions that will become clear is this John and Judas duality or combination or same person. I think it will becomeclearer to me, but where I am right now, a week and however many days in, it is more useful for me to just think aboutbeing one person as an actor. It does beg the question, storytelling-wise, what the audience needs, and I think that’s afactor I need to see and ask Matt Pfeiffer, the director, about once it’s all together.MLS Have you given any thought as to why John Michael Tebelak might have conceived having this one actorplay these two characters?MS It’s interesting what Casey Berner, the production dramaturg, said at some point. It’s almost a matter of practicality.It felt wrong to have Judas baptizing the cast at the beginning, since they wanted to begin with a baptism, to create thecommunity and bring everyone together; that’s John’s role not Judas’. To have Judas doing it felt wrong.MLS Could you acquaint us with your character? Who are you in this musical? What is your character strugglingwith?MS Again, this is all coming from where I am right now in the process. I think I just need to keep throwing that caveatout there. I think for me, Judas is immensely devout and immensely passionate about these teachings and about thisperson, but Judas has a fate to fulfill. It’s almost Greek in a way. You know these great Greek plays where you can’tescape this fate. In order for Jesus to be who Jesus is, he needs Judas to betray him. And, again, Casey sent medifferent sections from different Gospels about Judas and there is also a Book of Judas, and reading through that, there isthis interesting perspective. For some of the authors, it’s like the devil takes over Judas and that’s what happens and forothers there is a conscious choice. In conversation with Matt, he really holds on to the Jesus Christ Superstar understanding of the character, in terms that Jesus got too big for “her” britches, but in Godspell, it’s not about that. That doesn’t feelright to me within our story. I don’t think the text fulfills my feeling that Jesus is going too far, so it does feel more likefate. As an actor, I am really wrestling with trying to understand this thing with fate and choice. I think it is important as anactor that this is not just somebody playing out somebody’s wishes, but that I make the choice to go to the priest and takethe silver and betray Jesus. I think that is important to me for this story, because I think this story is about the veryhumannness of Jesus and Judas and the parables, and for that I need to have some autonomy. It’s tough.Something we are working with is that the script is sort of a transmission of a devising process as opposed to beingwritten by a playwright. So a lot of the stage directions

excerpts from the Godspell script. These excerpts are some of John Michael Tebelak’s adaptations of the Sermon on the Mount. One of the excerpts is described as a game started by one of the actors; the other is a song. Gospel of Matthew 5:1-16 Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount