I took a break from my weekend paperwork today to glance at CNN and get an update on the current drama in D.C. First health care, then tax reform, and now the debt ceiling. (Ever get the feeling that all these debates have nothing to do with new laws but are instead a competition to see whose bill is bigger?)
One of the articles I read included this statement:
The negotiations – necessary to stave off an unprecedented national default that could prove economically devastating – are testing the ability of leaders on both sides of the aisle to legislate effectively in an era of increasingly shrill and unyielding partisanship.
This “era” is exactly why I decided to bring Godspell back to Broadway. Because yes, Godspell is super fun, yes, it has a spectacular score, and yes, it’s filled with joy, but there’s also something underneath it all that’s worth talking about.
When I first met Stephen Schwartz and Danny Goldstein well over a year ago, they described Godspell as the story of a group of people who, at the beginning of the show, can’t communicate, as if they are speaking different languages (For those of you who know the show well, that’s the “Babel” sequence). And then, through the course of the show and thanks to the leadership of one individual, they learn how to talk to one another and how to get along . . . . regardless of religion, race, or political party affiliation.
And by learning what is really important, they learn how to live each day by day together in harmony (literally!).
As I scroll through almost every article on CNN, I can’t think of a better time in history when this country and its “parties” could use a little reminder of that . . . along with some fun, joy, and a spectacular score.
In fact . . . I just got an idea!
Attention all members of Congress on both sides of the ever-widening aisle: you are all invited to be my guests at the very first performance of Godspell!
Seriously! No winky face emoticons or nothin’.
Tomorrow I’ll send out official invitations to all 535 members of Congress to see the first performance of Godspell on Broadway in . . . 81 days.
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Fantastic!
Nice!!! I love this idea!!!
Thanks for writing this post. Especially for a show with very religious themes, like Godspell, its interesting to hear what it is about this secular day and age that warrants a revival. It’s interesting to read this take on the ‘learning to truly communicate effectively’ story of the play.
Now, THAT’S what I call putting some high octane in the tank and that is what art is all about. Yes, we need to sell tickets and pay the bills and win the Tony, yada, yada, yada. But what performance art…indeed art in all its expressions, is about elevating awareness, broadening the conversation and uniting our consciousness. Go Ken, go!
Brilliant!
I swear….every day by day that I read this blog I think to myself, “Ken Davenport is a freakin’ genius.” Only wish I lived in NY so I could also be at Godspell on opening night!
I look forward to reading about the next 80 days………
Tim Gonzalez-Wiler
Casting Manager, Teatro ZinZanni
ps. How about a “Get Your Show Off The Ground” seminar in Seattle? Home of 5th Ave Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre, Teatro ZinZanni…….
Great idea! (I wonder if any of the Republicans will attend, lol)
Thanks for sharing this perspective on Godspell. That’s great that it inspired you. I just disagree with one thing you said: “they learn how to talk to one another and how to get along . . . . regardless of religion,…” What about the fact that this is a show taken mostly from the New Testament about a group of people who are specifically following Jesus? Jesus was not just some leader bringing people together, He was (/is, for many people today) the God they worshiped. He didn’t just stand on the earth to say a bunch of wise sayings. He shared the parables in the Scripture to point to the Kingdom of God that He Himself was ushering in as the Son of God and the Messiah. So to suggest that this show is about any religion is just not true.
I agree that it will take something inspiring to intervene in Washington to bring these two dangerously stubborn opposing parties to agreement, but I believe it will require Divine intervention rather than mere warm, fuzzy feelings. If Godspell is done really well, it can hopefully point to something that even transcends our emotional lives.
And sorry, I forgot to mention, I do love your idea to invite the members of Congress to see the show – that’s awesome! I bet it will have an effect on the atmosphere in Washington!
I am so in love with this idea!!! What a fabulously modern way to extend the olive branch. LOVE IT!!!
Yes! best thing I’ve heard all day
I wonder if you could include an insert In the playbill that will remind them that every person is worth of compassion, kindness and respect, Washington seems to need a reminder.
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