Godspell

Godspell is a film based on the Gospel of Saint Matthew, set in modern New York, featuring musical numbers. Although not as musically strong as the later works like Jesus Christ Superstar, it is a sweet and moving film based on a stage play, and featured actor Victor Garber and Lynne Thigpen in her first film role. Although the actors later became known for their dramatic abilities, they have very good voices and this is an excellent place to see Lynne Thigpen really sing. Although the stage play is still around in 2003, this film has largely been lost. However, it is worth watching if you can find it, and makes an excellent resource for youth directors at churches and camps. In the late 1980s, a group in Texas in the Episcopal Church started an annual weekend event based upon the film, in which young people saw the film, broke into groups, did activities and got to dress in the spirit of the film, as an educational and spiritual exercise. This went on for 4-5 years and drew as many as 105 people before it was discontinued.