This Week in Christian History: Pope John Paul II, 'Godspell,' Fatima

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Twitter

'Godspell' Musical Holds First Off-Broadway Show - May 17, 1971

A sign advertising a production of the 1970s musical 'Godspell.'
A sign advertising a production of the 1970s musical "Godspell." | (Photo: Facebook/Alexis Dascoulias)

This week marks the anniversary of when "Godspell," a musical largely based off of the words of the Gospel of Matthew, premiered off Broadway.

Originally conceived as a master's thesis project at Carnegie Mellon University in 1970, the production opened at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City and eventually had 2,600 performances.

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"In addition to many professional productions, amateur shows have been mounted in countless community theaters, high school auditoriums and church basements over four decades," noted a 2011 Atlantic piece.

"In the last 10 years alone, according to dramatic performing rights agency Music Theatre International, there have been 5,000 licensed productions and more than 20,000 performances of Godspell and Godspell Jr., an abridged version of the musical designed for younger performers."

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