Godspell (1973)

Godspell began as a special acting project at the Carnegie-Mellon drama department, then blossomed into a professional production at New York's Cafe La Mama. Today it is so often produced by parochial high schools that it's hard to believe that the project was once considered sacrilegious. Essentially, this musical piece is the Gospel According to St. Mathew translated into hippie-movement terms. Jesus (portrayed by Victor Garber, who years later played the Devil in the revival of Damn Yankees!) is redefined as a gentle flower child whose message is misunderstood by the Establishment. The medium of film allows director David Greene to literalize many of the elements only alluded to in the play, thus Godspell is enacted throughout the genuine streets of Manhattan, with particular emphasis on the Times Square area. Among the better-known songs in the Stephen Schwartz/John-Michael Tebelek score are "Day By Day" and "All For the Best." The film seems more quaint than progressive when seen today, with a curious air of detachment throughout.