You Had to Be There

You Had to Be There

Nick Davis’ high-spirited documentary reveals how a humble Toronto production of the hippie musical Godspell became an unexpected launching pad for some of the biggest names in comedy.

On June 1, 1972, a production of Godspell, the hit musical retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, opened at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in downtown Toronto. What began as a modest theatrical production would become a remarkable gathering of young performers, many of whom would go on to reshape the world of comedy in Canada and beyond.

Over its 14-month run, the production featured an extraordinary collection of future stars, including Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Jayne Eastwood, alongside musical director Paul Shaffer. The improvisational nature of the musical helped foster a unique creative spirit that audiences would later recognize in Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and countless other television shows and films.

Through engaging interviews with surviving cast members, animated recreations, and creative approaches to the scarcity of original archival footage, You Had to Be There revisits this remarkable moment in Canadian entertainment history. Director Nick Davis captures the friendships, experiences, and creative energy that made Toronto’s Godspell such a formative experience for its participants, bringing their stories back to life with an irrepressible sense of joy.