'Godspell' at The Wayward Artist

OC Theatre Guild
Jul 10
4 min read

A new era for a new space with a bold revival of the Tony-nominated musical.

From left, Brendan Taglianetti, Garret Sullivan, Dallas Dudley, Oscar Aguilar, Devyn Kontour and Sheridan Fung. Photo courtesy of Jonard Ingal

By MaryAnn DiPietro

When the curtain rises on "Godspell," it will mark more than just the start of a show-- it’s the opening of a new home for The Wayward Artist.

The production, opening this summer in Wayward’s brand-new space housed within the Irvine United Congregational Church, is the fourth time Founding Artistic Director Craig Tyrl has directed the beloved musical. However, this staging, he says, is unlike anything audiences have seen before.

“It’s a ‘Godspell’ nobody has ever seen,” Tyrl said. “There’s going to be all the fun and play that people expect, but with a grit and rawness that’s new for me. That’s what I’m most excited about.”

Joey Miranda as Jesus. Photo courtesy of Jonard Ingal

First developed by students at Carnegie Mellon and later turned into an Off-Broadway hit in 1971, "Godspell" is structured as a retelling of the parables found in the Gospel of Matthew. It’s a mash-up of vaudeville, clowning, pantomime, and traditional hymns reimagined through a folk-rock lens. The show features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John-Michael Tebelak. Its original cast album produced the enduring hit song “Day by Day.” Godspell has been performed all over the world, including a 2011 Broadway revival and a 1973 feature film.

Tyrl isn’t aiming for nostalgia-- he’s updating the material. He’s reimagining “Godspell” for 2025. No more flower power. “The show often has references or jokes that are very ‘70s…” he explained, “…and some of that feels dated and over the top. I’m moving away from that. These characters should feel like real people living today.”

The focus on humanity over caricature is a natural evolution for both Tyrl and The Wayward Artist. After stepping away from his role in 2024, Tyrl has returned as Producing Artistic Director just in time to help lead the company into a new chapter. Their new home-- within a church where Tyrl is also on a path toward ordination-- represents more than just a physical relocation. It’s a merging of communities.

“It felt like the right time and the right place,” Tyrl said. “This show was the first thing we ever produced at Wayward. It was also the first show I ever directed. So to come back to it now, in a new home, is full circle. It just seems to fit-- spiritually and emotionally.”

The sanctuary-turned-stage presents its own set of challenges, mainly technical logistics. “We brought in all of our sound and lighting equipment, which we are excited about and familiar with-- although in a new space,” Tyrl said. “The space itself is well-suited for storytelling, and we are excited about that.”

The intimacy of the new space is reflected in the show’s design. Sets and props will be minimal, with a focus on storytelling. The stage will feature just 10 suitcases and four benches. “Everything lives onstage the entire time. Nobody leaves. All of the magic happens right in front of you,” Tyrl said.

Oscar Aguilar as John the Baptist & Judas. Photo courtesy of Jonard Ingal

That minimalism supports a deeper focus-- the journey of strangers becoming a community. “At its heart, ‘Godspell’ is about people learning to be kinder, more loving, more open,” Tyrl said. “And in 2025, when the world seems to be falling apart-- politically, globally, and environmentally-- that message feels more needed than ever.” Tyrl’s directorial vision aims to emphasize that transformation by tapping into each actor’s emotional truth. “We start as strangers, and by the end, if we’ve done it right, we’re a real community. That’s the journey.”

Tyrl is also bringing in his talents in sound and video design to help shape the show’s social and cultural commentary. “There’s a bit of satire, a point of view on the world we live in now, and something I love playing with in the design,” he said.

Despite his long relationship with "Godspell," Tyrl admits he’s never actually seen another production of the show-- aside from his own. And he’s not a fan of the film adaptation. That blank slate allows him to approach the material with fresh eyes, and he’s encouraging his cast to do the same. “I’m asking the actors to go deep,” he said. “Not to play big characters, but to play real ones. We’re exploring who they were before the show begins and who they become by the end. That transformation is at the heart of this production.”

With a musical blend of catchy melodies and gospel-infused harmonies, "Godspell" remains a favorite for performers and audiences alike. Tyrl promises amazing voices, dynamic choreography, and a professional polish that shines.

Fromleft, Lily Edwards, Dallas Dudley, and Garret Sullivan. Photo courtesy of Jonard Ingal

“If we’ve done our jobs right, the audience will be moved by this journey,” he said. “They’ll leave feeling hopeful and thinking about their own place in the world.”

As "Godspell" opens at The Wayward Artist’s new home, it offers more than just a night of theater. It’s a joyful, heartfelt invitation to reflect, rejoice, and reconnect. “After all,” Tyrl said, “it’s a story we need now more than ever.”