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The Original Cherry Lane Theater Godspell Script
(Lamar accompanies himself on piano, song is sung from band platform while others set the stage for Act II. All enter at random during first verse of song; Peggy turns out PARs, Gilmer sweeps up garbage, finds broom and wig block, sets them aside, David and Joanne tear off sheets of aluminum foil which they wrap around Robin, Herb, and Jeffrey in preparation for the Pharisee scene.)
I can see a swath of sinners settin' yonder
And they're actin' like a pack of fools
Gazing into space they let their minds all wander
'Stead of studying the good Lord's rules
You better pay attention, build your comprehension
There's gonna be a quiz at your ascension
Not to mention any threat of hell
But if you're smart, you'll learn your lessons well.
Every bright description of the promised land meant
You can reach it if you keep alert
Learning every line and every last commandment
May not help you, but it couldn't hurt
First you gotta read 'em, then you gotta heed 'em
You never know when you're gonna need 'em
Just as old Elijah said to Jezebel
You better start to learn your lessons well.
(Song ends, Lamar is applauded by all, takes bow and leaves band platform; Music cue: TURN BACK, O MAN. Sonia, hidden, waves pink scarf from back of house, appears at back of house. General exclamations on-stage referring to Sonia's entrance. She vamps her way down the aisle singing:)
Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.
Old now is earth, and none may count her days.
Yet thou, her child, whose head is crowned with flame,
Still wilt not heat thine inner God proclaim,
"Turn back, O man (Is your seat comfortable, sir?)
Turn back, O man (MMMmmm, I like that!)
Turn back, O man (Hiya, curly!)
Forswear thy foolish ways."
(See ya later I'm going to the front of the theatre.)
Earth might be fair, and all men glad and wise.
Age after age their tragic empires rise.
Built while they dream, and in that dreaming weep:
Would man but wake from out his haunted sleep.
(Below apron)
Turn
back, O man (Wattya doin' after the show, honey?)
Turn back, O man (Can ya see from where you're sittin'?)
(To Stephen)
Turn
back, O man (Hiya, big boy!)
Forswear thy foolish ways.
(Sonia ends verse on-stage DSR; Stephen sings following verse from DSL:)
Earth shall be fair, and all her people one;
Not til that hour shall God's whole will be done.
Now, even now, once more from earth to sky
Peals forth in joy, man's old undaunted cry.
Earth shall be fair, and all her people one!"
C'mere, Jesus, I got something to show ya!
(Sonia drops her scarf, Stephen rushes to pick it up; music crescendos and all join Stephen and Sonia in a cake walk accompanying last verse of song.)
Turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.
Old now is earth, and none may count her days.
Yet thou, her child, whose head is crowned with flame,
Still wilt not heat thine inner God proclaim,
"Turn back, O man.
Turn back, O man.
Turn back, O man.
Forswear thy foolish ways."
(Song ends; all noisily go to their place for Pharisee scene with much hand clapping and shouting. Stephen, at DSR, turns to them.)
Stop, this is the beginning.
(now a Pharisee, to Stephen)
By whose authority are you acting like this?
Who gave you this authority?
Well, I have a question to ask you. Answer it and then I'll tell you by whose authority I act. The baptism of John; was it from God or was it from man?
(to Robin and Herb)
If we say "from God," he will say, "Then why did you not believe?"
But if we say, "from men",...
... the people...
... will be angry for they took John as a prophet.
(to Stephen)
We do not know.
Then neither will I tell you by whose authority I act, but I a story for you; a man had two sons
(motions to David who Xs to Stephen C and accompanies this speech with pantomime.)
He went to the first, and said, "My son, go and work in the vineyard today." "I will go," said the boy; but he never went. Then the father said to the second, "Now go my son, go and work in the vineyard today." "I will not go," said the son, but later on he changed his mind and went.
(David Xs DR and sits with others)
Now which of these two did as his father wished?
The second.
And I tell you this; tax gatherers and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of heaven, because when John came and showed you the right way to live, you didn't believe him but the tax gatherers and the prostitutes did, and even when you saw that you did not change your minds and follow him.
Master, you are an honest man. Give us your ruling on this: Are we or are we not permitted to pay taxes to the Roman emperor?
You hypocrites!
(David lunges for the Pharisees, and is stopped by Stephen. David returns to his place.)
(to Pharisees)
Show me the money in which the tax is paid.
(Herb flips Stephen a pantomime coin.)
Well, now, whose head is on here, whose inscription?
Caesar's.
Well, then, pay Caesar what is due Caesar, but pay God what is due God.
(long cross beginning down left moving to DR and ending at table)
Master, what is the greatest commandment of them all?
Thou shalt love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul. This is the greatest commandment of them all and the second is like it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. All the rest of the law, and all the prophets have written, is based on these first two.
(Stephen Xs DC, kneels, delivers speech to audience.)
The doctors of the law and the Pharisees sit in the chair of Moses, therefore listen to what they say, pay attention to their words, but do not follow their practices. For they say one thing and do another. They make up heavy packs and pile them on men's shoulders and they don't raise a finger to lift the load themselves. Everything they do is done for show. Oh, they go about wearing broad phylacteries with large tassels on their robes. They like to have their places of honor at feasts and at the synagogues and to be greeted respectfully in the streets and to be called 'teacher.'
(Stephen Xs USC to Pharisees, is handed microphone by David.)
But you must not be called "teacher" for you have one teacher: the Messiah,
(into mike)
and you must not call any man on earth "Father" for you have only one Father and you are all brothers, and you must call no man on earth "Rabbi" for you have one Rabbi and he is in heaven.
(Music cue: ALAS FOR YOU)
Alas, alas for you, lawyers and Pharisees
Hypocrites that you be
Searching for souls and fools to forsake them
You travel the land, you scour the sea
Then when you've got your converts, you make them
Twice as fit for hell
As you are yourselves.
Alas, alas for you, lawyers and Pharisees
Hypocrites that you are
Sure that the kingdom of heaven awaits you
You will not venture half so far
Other men who might enter the gates you
Keep from passing through
Drag them down with you.
You
snakes, you viper's brood
You cannot escape being devil's food
I send you prophets and I send you preachers
Sages and rages and ages of teachers
Nothing can mar your mood.
(All Shouting, begin a pantomime of throwing garbage at Pharisees, but in place)
Hypocrites!
Alas, alas for you, lawyers and Pharisees
Hypocrites to a man
Sons of the dogs who murdered the prophets
Finishing off what your fathers began
You don't have time to scorn or to scoff, it's
Getting very late
Vengeance doesn't wait.
(All really throw garbage at Pharisees, Gilmer, Joanne and David knock planks off sawhorses, all but Stephen jump off the apron and into the house.)
You
snakes, you viper's brood
You cannot escape being devil's food
I send you prophets and I send you preachers
Sages and rages and ages of teachers
Nothing can mar your mood.
Blind guides! Blind fools!
the blood you've spilt
On you will fall
This nation, this generation
Shall bear the guilt of it all!
(Stephen alone on the one plank left on sawhorse)
Alas, alas, alas
Blind fools!
(Stephen ends song DSC, all on floor below stage begin wailing and moaning representing Wailing Wall which continues under Stephen's next speech:)
Oh, Jerusalem!
Oh, Jerusalem!
(moaning continues)
City that stones the prophets and murders the messengers sent to her. How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not let me!
(Wailing stops)
And so I tell, you shall never see me until the time when you say: "Blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord!"
(All rise, focus on Stephen, all join Stephen on-stage, seated in a semi-circle upstage of him.)
But, take care that no one misleads you for many will come claiming my name and saying, "I am the Messiah!", and many will be mislead by them, for the time is coming when you will hear the noise of battle near at hand. For nation will make war upon nation, kingdom upon kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes in many places but with all these things the birth pangs of a new age begin.
(Stephen claps once; Herb falls back and wails like a newborn baby. When he rises, he has put on a beard.)
For as things were in Noah's days...
Happy Noah's Days!
(Herb rises, Xs USC to sawhorses and planks which have been set up by David to resemble an ark.)
So will they be when the son of man comes.
(affecting aged voice)
C'mon animals. C'mon. There's a 73% chance of rain!
(All become animals. Herb ushers them into the ark. They begin pantomime of sailing movements.)
For in the days before the flood, men ate and drank and married and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away.
(All pantomime drowning. The ark is disassembled.)
Master, save us! Are you not afraid we shall be drowned?
Have you no faith? Peace. Be still.
(Full stage freeze.)
For when the son of man comes, there will be men working in the fields.
(All pantomime men working and women grinding.)
And of all these men working, one will be taken and the others left. Women! grinding at the wheel and of all these women one will be taken and the others left. So keep awake then for you never know on what day your Lord is to come.
Hah!
(turns on PAR DSC) (Jimmy Durante imitation)
Remember, if the householder had known what time the burglar was coming, he would have stayed awake all night.
Ha-cha-cha-cha-cha!
(Stephen turns of PAR; to all:)
So keep awake, then, for the son of man will come at a time when you least expect him.
(All form line US)
(Xs DSR, sits)
Who is the trusty servant?
(All take one step US except Lamar. Lamar, Herb, Sonia, and Joanne provide pantomime for the following speech.)
The man charged by his master to take care of his servants and pay them at the proper time. Well, happy is that servant who is at his job when his master comes, for I tell you, he will be out in charge of all his master's property. But, what of the bad servant who sits around saying, "Oh well, the master is a long time coming," and he begins bullying the servants and eating and drinking with his drunken friends. I tell you this, the master will come on a day when he does not know at a time he least expects and will cut him to pieces. Then he'll take his place among the hypocrites...
(Pantomime ends. David Xs DSL.)
where there is wailing...
Wailing!
and gnashing of teeth.
Gnash, gnash, gnashing!
(opening a fortune cookie and reading this fortune.)
Remember, even a good runner, if he remains indifferent to the race, can never enter the kingdom of my Father.
(He throws away the cookie, eats the fortune, Sonia plays the finger cymbals. All move DSC pushing Peggy to floor and hurling invectives at her.)
Master, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery and in the law that Moses has laid down, such women are to be stoned.
Yeah, what do you say about it, mister?
That the one of you who is faultless shall throw the first stone.
(All raise their arms, holding garbage; freeze, indicate to each other, "Well, go ahead;")
(giving up and crossing away to get guitars)
Oh boy!
(One by one they put down their garbage and walk off ashamed. They sit on the steps leading to the stage right and left. Peggy is left CS, Stephen at DSR. Gilmer and Jeffrey get guitars and cross USL.)
Where are they now? Has no one condemned you?
No one, sir.
Nor do I condemn you. You may go. Do not sin again.
(Music cue: BY MY SIDE; Accompanied by Gilmer and Jeffrey.)
Where are you going? Where are you going?
Can you take me with you?
For my hand is cold and needs warmth
Where are you going?
Far
beyond where the horizon lies (Where the horizon lies)
And the land sinks into mellow blueness
Oh please, take me with you...
Let me skip the road with you
I can dare myself, I can dare myself
I'll put a pebble in my shoe
And watch me walk... (watch me walk)
I can walk...
I
shall call the pebble Dare (I shall call the pebble Dare)
We will talk, together about walking
Dare shall be carried
And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing:
"Meet your new road!"
Then
I'll take your hand
Finally glad that you are here
By my side
(DSL)
Then the man they called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests, and said: "What will you give me to betray Him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver.
(very narratively - not subjective)
And from that moment, he began to look out for an opportunity to betray him.
(singing)
By
my side
By your side
By my side
By your side.
(All return to stage and set planks on floor SC as preset for the Last Supper. All sit in floor C facing Stephen US seated on sawhorse USC. Music bridge stops a he speaks:)
Now, when the Son of Man comes in all his glory with all his angels with him, he will sit in state on his throne with all the nations gathered before him and he will separate the men into two groups as a shepherd separates the sheep (indicating division) - Whoops!... - from the goats - Baa!... - and then he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left...
(On word "sheep" above, all become sheep and goats and mill around stage baaing profusely. Stephen attempts to divide them into two groups, SL and SR.)
Sheep on his right? OK.
(Sheep line up SR, goats SL in an inverted V formation, Stephen at the vortex.)
... and then he will say to those on his right: "Baa baa baa baa baa."
Baaaaaaa!
(Stephen quiets them, realizes the audience doesn't understand sheep language and resumes in English.)
You have my father's blessing. Come and enter the kingdom that has been ready since the world was made.
(Sheep file on all fours between Stephen's legs and under the sawhorse on which he is seated.)
For when I was hungry, you gave me food, when I was thirsty, you gave me drink, when I was naked and without a home, you took me to your house, and when I was ill and in prison, you came to my aid.
(Jeffrey, a goat, sneaks into line behind the sheep, is stopped by Stephen.)
Hey, hey, hey get back there.
Baa!
(Jeffrey returns to the goat line.)
(referring to sheep, now gathered around his throne)
And they will say to him:
Master, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you drink?
Yeah, or in prison or helped you?
(referring to sheep)
And then he will say to them: Anything you did for one of your brothers here, however humble, you did for me.
Oh, I get it!
Then he will say to those on his left: A curse is upon you!
(cowering)
Baa!
You go from my sight to the eternal fire...
(Stephen indicates SL, Gilmer taps his knee and indicates SR; Stephen stands corrected and points SR.)
... to the eternal fire, that has been ready for you with the devil and his angels, for when I was hungry you didn't give me anything to eat, when I was thirsty you didn't give me anything to drink, when I was naked and without a home, you didn't take me to your house, and when I was ill and in prison, you didn't come to my aid. And then they will say to him:
(speaking for the goat group)
Aw, Master, if we'd a known it was you we woulda taken you around the corner for a cup of coffee.
(Stephen gives her a withering look and she cowers)
And then he will say to them: Anything you did not do for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did not do for me.
Baa!
(Cue for music: WE BESEECH THEE)
(to goats)
Go take your place in eternal punishment!
Baa!
But the righteous shall have eternal life.
(Goats X DSC baaing angrily, sheep form tight circle around Stephen. Jeffrey picks up microphone left DSC after ALAS FOR YOU.)
Father, hear Thy children's call
Humbly at thy feet we fall
Prodigals, confessing all
All: We beseech thee, hear us!
We thy call have disobeyed
Into paths of sin have strayed
And repentance have delayed
All: We beseech thee, hear us!
Refrain:
Jeffrey:
Come sing about Love!
All: LOVE!
Jeffrey:
That caused us first to be
Come sing about Love!
All: LOVE!
Jeffrey:
That made the stone and tree
Come sing about Love!
All: LOVE!
Jeffrey:
Love!
All: LOVE!
Jeffrey:
That draws us lovingly
All: We beseech thee, hear us!
All: Sick!
Jeffrey: We come to thee for cure
All:
Guilty!
Jeffrey: We seek thy mercy sure
All:
Evil!
Jeffrey: We long to be made pure
Both: We beseech thee, hear us!
All:
Blind!
Jeffrey: We pray that we may see
All:
Bound!
Jeffrey: We pray to be made free
All:
Stained!
Jeffrey: We pray for sanctity
Both: We beseech thee, hear us!
REFRAIN
By the gracious saving call
Spoken tenderly to all
Who have shared man's guilt and fall
We beseech thee, hear us!
By the love that longs to bless
Pitying our sore distress
Leading us to holiness
We beseech thee, hear us!
(One verse mouth percussion.)
Grant us hope from earth to rise
And to strain with eager eyes
Towards the promised heavenly prize
We beseech thee, hear us!
REFRAIN (plus "LOVE" extension.)
Boom chic-a-boom chic-a-boom chic chic
Chic-a-boom chic-a-boom chic-a-boom chic chic!
Chic Chic! BOOM CHIC!
(DAY-BY-DAY reprise; all finish WE BESEECH THEE in place for the Last Supper. David gets Albolene, Kleenex, and mirror, hands mirror to Stephen who holds it up to each face, to show them how make-up looks. They pass Kleenex and Albolene and remove make-up; song, and make-up removal end with Stephen's line:)
I tell you this: One of you among us will betray me.
(All reply, "Can it be me, Lord?" in the following order: Joanne, Robin, Gilmer, Jeffrey, Sonia, Lamar, Peggy, Herb;)
Rabbi, can you mean me?
The words are yours. Do quickly what you have to do.
(David exits through the back of the house.)
(Stephen, picking up matzo, says Hebrew Blessing for bread, giving each a piece of the bread.)
Take this and eat; eat for this is my body.
(He says Hebrew Blessing for wine, pours wine into two paper cups, gives them to his disciples saying:)
Take this and drink for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant shed for the forgiveness of sins, and I tell you I shall never again drink from the fruit of the vine until I drink it again with you in the kingdom of my Father.
(Music cue: ON THE WILLOWS. From the Last Supper formation all form circle; Stephen bids farewell to each in pantomime, beginning at one o'clock with Herb. The order follows as: Jeffrey, Joanne, Gilmer, Robin, Sonia, Lamar, Peggy. The following lines are underscored with ON THE WILLOWS:)
(at USC, standing)
Stay here while I go over there to pray. My heart is ready to break with grief. (He Xs SL, turns to group.) Stop here and stay awake with me.
(All entwine arms, still in circle and begin rhythmic breathing, raising right arms in rhythm. Rhythmic breathing continues under Stephen's lines, gradually building. Stephen Xs DL, kneels.)
Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass me by, yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
(He rises, Xs back to USC.)
What!? Could none of you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and be spared the test. Oh, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
(reaching in place for him, eerily)
Everyone else may fall away on your account but I never will.
(Xing SR)
I tell you this, tonight before the cock crows you will all betray me three times.
(Stephen Xs DSR, sighs. All resume rhythmic breathing, increase tempo and volume.)
Father, if it be not possible for this cup to pass me by without my drinking from it, thy/will/be/done.
(Stage turns to red, all become demons, X to Stephen DSR, tormenting him.)
If you are the son of God, turn these stones into bread!
(All echo Lamar's line.)
(Xing SC; demons follow)
Man does not live by bread alone. He lives on every word that God utters.
(Demons raise Stephen into the air.)
(all echoing)
If you are the son of God, throw yourself down, for Scripture says: "He will send his angels down to support you and they will hold you in their arms."
You shall not tempt the Lord your God.
(all echoing)
All these things I will give you if you will do me homage.
Be gone, Satan!
(Red fades, Stephen is set down)
You shall do homage to the Lord your God and worship him alone.
(Full stage freeze as all return to their places; with rhythmic breathing, door slam, all sit up as though awoken. David enters from back of house. All watch him. He attempts to approach Christ, tries to leave, finds himself walled in on three sides but the path to Christ is open. He and Stephen embrace, then sit up.)
Friend, do quickly what you have to do.
(Stephen kisses David on both cheeks, pause, David blows shrill blast on police whistle, rolls up sleeves, stands above Stephen, arms outstretched, raises his eyes to heaven, and grabs Stephen. Stage is flooded in white light, all rush to fence. Herb pantomimes sword and raises it.)
Put down the sword; he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.
(Herb throws down pantomime sword. Throws himself on fence. David dragging Stephen USC, stands him on box in preparation for crucifixion.)
Do you not suppose that I could appeal to my Father who would at once send to me twelve legions of angels?
(David slips red garters onto Stephen's wrists and stretches out Stephen's arms on fence.)
Do you take me for a bandit, that you come after me with swords and cudgels? Day after day I sat teaching in the synagogues and you didn't come after me then, but all this has happened to fulfill what the prophets have written.
(Music cue: FINALE)
Oh God, I'm bleeding!
Oh God, I'm bleeding!
Oh God, you're bleeding!
(Short music break.)
Oh God, I'm dying!
Oh God, you're dying!
Oh God, I'm dying!
(Long music break, during which all climb and writhe on fence screaming and wailing.)
Oh God, I'm dead!
Oh God, you're dead!
Oh God, you're dead!
Oh God, you're dead!
(Full stage freeze. All on floor as if dead.)
Long live God
Long live God
Long live God
Long live God
(All slowly move to Stephen's body, take it off fence and hoist it on their shoulders. Robin, Peggy, Sonia, hug each other; Robin DSL of the cortege, Sonia DSR, Peggy SR, begin rhythmic pantomime of walk DS.)
Long live God
Long live God
Long live God
Long live God
Long
live God
Long live God
Long live God
Long live God
Long
live God
Long live God
Long live God
Long live God
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
Prepare ye, the way of the Lord
(Tempo pickup; singing continues as Stephen is carried off the stage and up the aisle. LONG LIVE GOD drops out, all sing PREPARE YE, ending with "THE WAY OF THE LORD", at the back of the house.)
(Stephen and Company return for curtain call.)
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