Ramin Karimloo, Kerry Ellis and Preeya Kalidis to star in Godspell Gala

Updated 19th August; Olivier winner George Maguire & Rocky Horror 's Dominic Andersen join GODSPELL gala cast.

It has been announced that Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Preeya Kalidas (Bend It Like Beckham/EastEnders) and Ramin Karimloo (Evita/Les Miserables) are to star in a concert staging of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz. at St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August  hosted by Mark Shenton

The creative team are headed by Director Dean Johnson, Musical Director Michael Bradley (Grey Gardens) and Choreographer Billy Cullum,  with Ellis, Kalidas and Karimloo performing alongside the British Theatre Academy.

The British Theatre Academy's Artistic Director Matthew Chandler says: I am delighted that Kerry, Ramin and Preeya are giving our kids the opportunity to work with such amazing, inspiring, world class talents. Godspell promises to be an unforgettable experience for them all

A cast of 300 British Theatre Academy performers are to appearing in the West End this summer in a special family version of the Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden, based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett with script and lyrics by Pulitzer prize and Tony award-winner Marsha Norman and music by Grammy award-winner Lucy Simon. The Secret Garden, directed by Rupert Hands, will run 6 weeks at the Ambassadors Theatre from Wednesday 27 July to Wednesday 31 August 2016.

Tickets for Godspell Gala

Godspell in Concert UK tour to close early

The UK tour of Godspell in Concert is to close two months early. The 28-date tour had been scheduled to 3rd July  but The final performance will be at the Princess Theatre, Torquay  on 6th  May producers announced this morning.

Russell Scott, Producer & Musical Director of the show said “It is with a heavy heart we announce the early closure of Godspell in Concert. We have had an incredible journey and despite rave reviews, audience acclaim and standing ovations, ticket sales have been disappointing, and so after five glorious weeks with the most amazing company, cast and creative team, we are announcing early closure.

Casting announced for Godspell in Concert Tour

The first casting has just been announced for the tour of Godspell in Concert which kicks off on 4th April at Hackney Empire.

The tour follows the show's one-off West End gala last year with former X Factor runner up Andy Abraham returning  o the cast as Judas/John the Baptist. He will be joined  by former Sugababe Jade Ewen, whose previous stage credits include Rod Stewart musical Tonight's The Night and Porgy and Bess at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. She represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's "It's My Time".They are  joined  by Leanne Jarvis (The Voice) with  Tom Senior (Jersey Boys) as Jesus.

Godspell to tour next year

Following the enormous success of 2014’s gala performance at Shaftesbury Avenue’s Lyric Theatre, in support of the charity Make-A-Wish-Foundation®UK, Godspell In Concert is set to tour the UK in 2015, opening at the Hackney Empire on 4th April and currently ending in Norhtampton on 3rd July. 

The UK tour will feature a brand new, modern-day rock score including favourites Light of the World, All Good Gifts and Day by Day.

Prior to the gala the show last played the West End in 1972 at the Wyndham’s, where it turned David Essex into an overnight sensation and more recently has enjoyed a successful run on Broadway.

By permission of Stephen Schwartz, composer of Wicked and Pippin, Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt for Godspell in Concert UK Ltd will produce the UK tour. Kenneth Avery Clark directs the production which was critically lauded at its London performance and Russell Scott, Musical Director is at the helm of the show’s spectacular new orchestration.  Full UK casting to be announced later in 2014.

Tour dates for Godspell

Marti Webb joins David Essex at Godspell in Concert

Updated 11th March: David Essex 1974 co-stars, Marti Webb, Gay Soper, Tom Saffery, Deryk Parkin and Jacquie Ann Carr are confirmed to join him on stage at the end of the evening. Julie Covington, who was also in the original cast, will be abroad and unable to attend, but it is still hoped that Jeremy Irons - who played John the Baptist - can join them, subject to filming commitments.

As already mentioned, the rock musical GODSPELL is to return to the West End  42 years after its premiere as a one-off charity gala concert performance in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK.

The line up has just been announced with original West End cast member David Essex (he played Jesus) hosting the event at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19th May at 7:30.

Performers include  Zoe Tyler and Andy Abraham with a West End cast, live band and 32-strong choir led by members of Maida Vale Singers and American Musical Theatre Academy.

Zoe Tyler was until recently a regular presenter on ITV1’s  Loose Women. She first appeared in the West End as Fantine in Les Misérables, the tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, City of Angels, the Narrator in Joseph and singing legend Eva Cassidy in Over The Rainbow.

Since coming second on The X Factor in 2005 Andy Abraham has sold out the Royal Albert Hall and released four albums selling over half a million records.

The rest of the cast includes: Stewart Clarke (Sam Wheat in the UK tour of Ghost), Rob Houchen (Marius in Les Misérables), Sarah Galbraith (The Phantom of The Opera), Katie Paine (We Will Rock You), Turlough Convery from E4’s Fresh Meat (Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year), Jason Broderick (Sweeney Todd ) and Laura Darton (finalist in the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2013).  

Tickets for Godspell in Concert

Godspell in Concert at Lyric Theatre

The Broadway Revival of the musical Godspell will be performed in concert at The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on Monday 19th May 2014 in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, who grant magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.

The show was last seen in the West End in 1972, has recently enjoyed a successful run on Broadway and is currently touring the US.

By permission from Stephen Schwartz, composer of ‘Wicked’ and ‘Pippin’, Russell Scott Entertainment Limited, in association with In-House Casting, will be producing a concert charity performance featuring a West End cast plus special guests, a hand-picked band and a 32-strong choir led by members of Maida Vale Singers and American Musical Theatre Academy.  The concert will be directed by Kenneth Avery Clark.

The cast will be announced early next year.

Book tickets for Godspell in Concert.

Kerry Ellis, Daniel Boys & Jonathan Williams starring in Godspell Concert

The Palace Theatre in Manchester is presenting a one off concert version of the musical Godspell to celebrate its 40th Anniversary. It will star Kerry Ellis and takes place on 21st October 2011.

LATEST NEWS 2nd August:  Daniel Boys and Jonathan Williams (alernate Jean Valjean in LesMis) have joined the cast.  Daniel will play Judas and Jonathan will play Jesus.

Buy tickets here for Godspell. 

Godspell musical revival at Union Theatre

The Union Theatre in Southwark is staging a revival of the musical Godspell to celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary.

Godspell will run at the Union from 15th-7th May (previews from 13th April) and will be directed by Michael Strassen with Michael Bradley as the musical director.

Godspell is based on the gospel according to St Matthew and opens with John the Baptist rounding up followers and ends with Jesus being crucified in a junkyard. It was first performed in the West End in 1971 with David Essex playing Jesus.

Conceived by John-Michael Tebelak, the show has music and lyric by Stephen Schwartz whose later work includes Pippin and most recently Wicked! The score includes Day by Day and Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord.

The cast of the Union production will include Madalena Alberto (Sonia), Jill Armour (Gilmer), Daryl Armstrong (Herb), Jeremy Batt (Jeffrey), Davis Brooks (Judas), Billy Cullum (Jesus), Natalie Green (Robin), Sophie Isaacs (Joanne), Caroline Hubbard (Peggy) and Iwan Lewis (Lamar).

Tickets at www.ticketsource.co.uk/uniontheatre