Stephen Schwarz’s hit biblical musical Godspell is to return to the London stage for one night only when a special concert version is staged next May in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.
The Gospel-telling tune-fest will bring its parable-filled plot to the Lyric theatre on 19 May, when a cast of West End regulars will perform alongside a handful of special guests and a choir comprising members of the Maida Vale Singers and American Musical Theatre Academy.
Featuring songs including Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord, Day By Day and Beautiful City, Godspell, which features music by Wicked composer Schwarz, bases its plot on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew and features stories including the Tower Of Babel, The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son and the Passion.
Speaking about the production, producer Russell Scott said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been granted the rights to Godspell for this very special concert in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK – a show I am very fond of and excited to be producing. It’s been too long since its last performance in the West End, and I’m delighted to be bringing it back!”
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, which will benefit from proceeds from the show, aims to grant wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. Since being founded in the UK in 1986 the charity, which counts producer David Ian and performers Keith Chegwin, Amanda Holden and current London Henry V Jude Law among its patrons, has made more than 8,000 wishes come true.
Godspell In Concert will play at Shaftesbury Avenue’s Lyric theatre on a Monday night, the evening left free by the venue’s currently long-running hit musical extravaganza Thriller Live, which has been spectacularly bringing the hits of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 to the London audiences since 2009.
Tickets for Godspell In Concert go on sale on Monday 16 December.