If you're looking for something new and exciting this year, don’t miss GODSPELL. It's time to dance in the aisles. Let lose with this season's 'feel-good' musical.

Philadelphia’s production of GODSPELL is set at the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge. A group of street musicians are drawn together, looking for meaning in a modern world. They discover love, acceptance and guidance through the stories and songs of GODSPELL.

Great stories are told in new and imaginative ways with all the actors playing all the instruments! With music by Stephen Schwartz, the composer of WICKED, great songs come to life anew: "Day by Day," "Turn Back O Man," "Prepare Ye" and "All Good Gifts."

GODSPELL originated in 1970 as a project of writer John-Michael Tebelak. Tableau directed a two-week run of the show in New York, opening February 24, 1971. It caught the eye of producers who wanted to open it off-Broadway. The producers then hired Stephen Schwartz, to write a new score. GODSPELL became one of the longest-running off-Broadway musicals before moving to Broadway in June 1976, where it ended its run in September 1977 after an additional 527 performances, for a total of more than 2,600. Composer Steven Schwartz went on to create a number of beloved and award-winning shows and movies such as WICKED and Disney's POCAHONTAS. He is the recipient of numerous Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and Drama Desk Awards.

GODSPELL has remained such an important part of the modern musical theater vocabulary because of its versatility, and this rings especially true in the Walnut Street Theatre production. The original production made the company a troupe of clowns who follow Jesus in an abandoned playground; subsequent productions have been set in museums, classrooms, on top of buildings, or in an abandoned theater. The show can occur anywhere. In THIS case, our production of GODSPELL has a cast is a true melting-pot of some of Philadelphia's (and America's) greatest young talent.

Familiar faces and Walnut newcomers include Michael Gruber, best known for his roles on Broadway in CATS and THE WIZARD OF OZ. Michael returns to the Walnut (RAGS) to take on the role of "Jesus." Joining him as "John the Baptist/Judas" is another Broadway vet, Jason Wooten. This is Jason’s first turn on the Walnut stage, having appeared on Broadway in such productions as JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and FOOTLOOSE. The remainder of the ensemble cast features such Walnut vets as Michael Philip O'Brien (FINIAN’S RAINBOW), Katie O'Shaughnessey (CATS) and Jenny Lee Ramos (WEST SIDE STORY). Newcomers include Allison Hilliard, Joshua Lamon, Marsha Lawson, Marcy McGuigan, Andre McRae, Andrew Ross, Nikki Van Cassele, and Spiff Weigand. In the spirit of the original GODSPELL, all members of the ensemble will essentially be playing "themselves."

At the helm of this production is director Bruce Lumpkin. Bruce has directed a dozen productions at the Walnut, including last season’s WEST SIDE STORY and GRAND HOTEL, for which Bruce received a Barrymore Award for Best Director. He has worked with Tommy Tune on numerous occasions, most recently as the Associate Director on Tommy Tune’s production of DR. DOLITTLE which is now touring across America. Joining Mr. Lumpkin on the staff is Choreographer Michelle Gaudette. Michelle (a former Radio City Rockette), has previously choreographed WEST SIDE STORY at the Walnut, as well as having appeared in LA VIE EN BLEU and EVITA. The rest of the technical staff includes Thom Culcasi (Musical Director), Jack Jacobs (Lighting Design), Colleen Grady (Costumes) and Matt Callahan (Sound Design).

GODSPELL runs at the Walnut May 9 through July 9. This production is sponsored by Progressive Business Publications. Media Sponsors are B101 and NBC 10. For tickets and information, call the Walnut Street Theatre’s box office at 215-574-3550.