John-Michael Tebelak News

Christmastime is here at last and BroadwayWorld is continuing our favorite annual tradition of celebrating the holiday season with a 12 Days of Christmas countdown. This year we've invited two stars of stage and screen, Michael Urie and Philemon Chambers, to share some of their most cherished holiday songs and performances.

On December 3, 2021 at 8:00 PM New Bedford Festival Theatre will celebrate the return engagement of John Michael Dias (Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway) as Evita Loca in Professional Christmas Lady.

The plot follows a mother (Emma Roberts), father (John Gallagher Jr.), and their infant son as they move into a remote farmhouse, which harbors a dark, haunting history. As they begin to uncover their home's past, the mother’s fragility escalates to a state of psychosis that jeopardizes their family's safety.

'Godspell' is a celebration of humanity and spirituality, free from any specific religion. it's a song filled ride about peace, love and hope for us all to be better people in a larger community.

Michael John O'Neill's THIS IS PARADISE has won this year's Popcorn Writing Award. The story centres around Kate who watches the historic moment of the Good Friday Agreement unfold. She receives a phone call that forces her to face her past; her ex-lover, the river, the trauma - it all comes flooding back.

Are you in the mood for an ensemble romp, some familiar stories, an ethics-heavy main character, beautiful harmonies and a good meal? In GODSPELL at Toby’s, a cast of stalwart Toby’s regulars create beautiful moments individually and in groups. Directors Mark Minnik and David James update the storytelling to include contemporary iconography.

'Such hopeful and joyful music brings tears to my eyes after such a long year of uncertainty and certainly fills me with faith for the future.'

The season will conclude in the summer of 2022 with a 50th Anniversary production of Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak’s musical GODSPELL, directed by the company’s newly appointed Managing and Casting Director Christopher Pazdernik and choreographed by Jeff award-winner Jenna Schoppe (She/Her).

On Saturday, July 24th, I had the pleasure of returning to Musicals at Richter, in Danbury, to see the absolute greatest performance of GODSPELL that I have ever seen! This musical allows creativity and originality to every theater group that performs it.  Musicals at Richter maximizes this freedom with numerous comedic references to a myriad of musicals, movies, television shows, and songs!

Des Moines Playhouse has found itself adapting to the current climate throughout the pandemic and is continuing to produce live theatre. Last summer, they offered a drive-in theatre. Throughout the year, they have provided live indoor productions to smaller houses and streams of their shows. This summer, they are adapting once again by taking a step back in time. Taking a cue from the traveling tent shows the during the first part of the 20th century, the Playhouse is presenting a summer tent series. The tent series opened up on July 9 with a production of John-Michael Tebelak and Stephen Schwartz Godspell.

The 37th season closes out with the 'Stars Out for Richter: A Community Cabaret of Talent' on Friday, August 13.

Learn more about the production, directed by Eric Palmer, and how to purchase tickets!

Starlight welcomes Godspell to its stage for the very first time Tuesday, June 22 – Sunday, June 27.

Starlight will welcome Godspell to its stage for the very first time Tuesday, June 22 – Sunday, June 27. This refreshing retelling of the Gospel of Matthew is a sensational musical production that is uplifting, celebratory and fun. Godspell includes songs by Grammy and Academy Award winner Stephen Schwartz, such as the popular hit “Day by Day.”

The Old Globe today announced plans for the long-awaited full reopening of its three theatres in Balboa Park. Audiences will be able to once again gather in the Globe’s outdoor theatre starting June 4 and in the two indoor theatres in September.

New Bedford Festival Theatre and Executive Producer Wendy Hall will celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride 2021 and the return of Festival Theatre in-person performances with Broadway performer and Festival Theatre alumni John Michael Dias as Miss Evita Loca 'Professional Broadway Lady'.

Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm ET) with a GODSPELL 50th Anniversary Reunion featuring Stephen Schwartz and the players who originated these iconic songs: Peggy Gordon (By My Side, which she also co-wrote), Joanne Jonas (Bless The Lord), Gilmer McCormick (Learn Your Lessons Well), Steve Nathan (who played Jesus), Mark Planner (Original New York production), and George Salazar (Broadway revival).

Musicals at Richter, celebrating its 37th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, has announced auditions for its 2021 season under the stars, featuring a main stage run of Stephen Schwartz's iconic musical 'Godspell,' playing July 23 through August 7.

 Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley announced today a theater-lovers dream week of shows, as they will reunite the casts of “Godspell,” “Annie,” and “Pageant,” and host a very special Elphabas vs. Glindas “Wicked” game night!  All will benefit the Actors Fund, and several nights will include matching donations from generous supporters of the arts. 

Prepare ye, for a Godspell mega-reunion! Fifty years ago, on May 17, 1971, a musical phenomenon opened off-Broadway. What began as a master's thesis project for Carnegie Mellon student John-Michael Tebelak, would go on to entertain the masses on Broadway and off, in Toronto, multiple national tours, on the big screen and of course, eventually at regional and amateur theatres all over the world.