West End star Jodie Steele features on a special recording of ‘Beautiful City’ from Godspell released as a preview of the upcoming star-studded online charity concert marking the 50th anniversary of the hit show.
Producer Ginger Quiff Media has teamed up with leading theatre-recording label Broadway Records to release the single which will be available via www.broadwayrecords.com/beautiful-city and on Spotify, Apple Music and all major digital platforms from today (Sunday 16 August 2020).
Presented by Thomas Hopkins and Michael Quinn for Ginger Quiff Media in association with Hope Mill Theatre, the Godspell 5oth Anniversary Concert is due to stream worldwide on 27, 28 and 29 August.
Directed by award-winning Michael Strassen, individual cast members’ performances will be filmed in their own homes and edited together with animation to form a unique concert version of the show. Musical direction is by George Carter with sound design by Cyrus Brandon and video design and editing by Ben Hewis,
Steele (Six, Heathers) will feature alongside Ruthie Henshall (Chicago, Billy Elliot) and Darren Day (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) who starred on the well-received 1993 studio recording of the show and will reprise their roles for the online celebration.
The cast will also include: Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard, High Society), Jenna Russell (Fun Home, The Bridges of Madison County), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hanson), Danyl Johnson (2009 X Factor finalist), Jenny Fitzpatrick (Tina, The Musical, Our House), Natalie Green (The Prince of Egypt; Hair), John Barr (The Story of Bart, Tommy), Sally Ann Triplett (Mamma Mia!, Viva Forever), Gerard McCarthy (Tina, The Musical, Beautiful Thing), Alison Jiear (Jerry Springer: The Opera), Shekinah McFarlane (Six, Hair), Lucy Williamson (The Fix, Judy & Liza), Ronald Brian (Beautiful, The Carol King Musical, Newsies) and Jerome Bell (Hairspray). They will be supported by an ensemble from Italia Conti.
Available for three days only, the concert will raise money for three charitable organisations: Hope Mill Theatre (A Factory of Creativity CIO), Acting for Others and the National AIDS Trust. Tickets cost £15 and are available at www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk.
Announcing the concert last month, Hope Mill’s artistic director Joseph Houston said: “We are so honoured to be collaborating on this online concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the musical Godspell and to be using this opportunity to support not only our own venue, but the incredible work that Acting for Others and the National AIDS Trust are doing during this time.
“The line-up of talent we have assembled is incredible and I know that this is going to be an online event not to be missed. We are also thrilled to be once again presenting a Stephen Schwartz musical and to share the musical genius of one of the world’s best musical theatre composers.”
Sharon Coleman, director of fundraising at National AIDS Trust, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be one of the charities benefiting from the online concert marking Godspell‘s 50th anniversary. It promises to be an exciting show, full of our favourite performers, so we hope lots of people buy a ticket and raise money to support our vital work tackling HIV stigma and discrimination.”
One of the most distinctive musicals of the 1970s, and based on the parables of Jesus recounted in the Gospels of St Matthew and St Luke, Godspell was written by Stephen Schwartz. With a glittering career that spans four decades and includes Wicked and The Prince of Egypt, Schwartz’ connection with Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre began with the venue’s successful production of Pippin in 2017.
Angela Thomas
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