Godspell was a surprisingly great show, not what I was expecting. First of all, I didn't want to go but we had to for this assignment. For this, I am so grateful. It was not a musical I would have chosen to go see on my own but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Seeing Godspell in a live performance is something that should not be missed.
At a live performance, it feels like a much more personal experience than a film could ever be. One of the things that were unique to a live performance was at intermission when the cast invited the audience on stage to have a glass of punch. I have never been to a play where the "invisible curtain" between the audience and the stage has been "ripped down", even at intermission. I did not go on stage and have punch but I did sit and watch those that did. It just seemed really strange to me.
Also during intermission, the actor that played Jesus came over and was talking to the crowd down below me. When you are watching a film, the actors are never going to jump off the screen and talk to you. This was yet another aspect that made it much more personal than watching a film.
Another thing I observed was the audience participation. During a couple different songs, the cast members looked out at the audience, wanting them to clap along with the music. And we did. I can't remember ever being at a movie and the audience doing much more than laugh or cry. I think it's because at a movie, you feel more detached from the performance. Seeing it live makes it feel more real.
Because it is live I feel like I am rooting for the actors up on stage to do a good job. I have never had that feeling watching a movie probably because I know they can do unlimited takes until they get it perfect! With a live performance, the actors only get one chance each night to get it right.
Going into this, I didn't really have much excitement. I didn't completely understand what I was going to see. This is another difference between films and live plays. Usually before I see a film, I have already watched a preview and that's the reason why I want to go see it. With a play I am going to see it because it's an assignment, I know someone in it, or I have read a review in the newspaper.
From the moment I was given this assignment, I thought I knew what this musical was all about and I didn't want to go. I'm so glad I was "made" to. The comedy in the performance was completely unexpected with the funniest line being, "Say hello to my little friend." Once I realized there would be some humor in it I started to warm up to the performance. I unfairly judged it comparing it in my mind to a church service before giving it a chance. This live performance of Godpsell more than lived up to my expectations, it exceeded them.
