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Please note this film is only viewable in the state of Colorado. The film is preceded by a brief introduction by the film's director and producer Nick Davis.
On June 1, 1972, a scrappy production of Godspell opened at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre and accidentally launched a comedy supernova. What looked like a bunch of singing, overall-clad hippies retelling the Gospel of Matthew turned out to be a talent incubator of remarkable proportions. During its 14-month run, the cast included future comedy royalty: Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, Victor Garber, and musical director Paul Shaffer. Yes, that many legends really were in one show. Lightning struck. Repeatedly. The production’s loose, improvisational vibe helped shape the sensibility that would later define Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and a generation of film and TV comedy. Nick Davis’ documentary captures the magic through lively interviews and playful recreations (since, tragically, no one in 1972 thought to film everything on a smartphone). You Had to Be There brings this special time back into the present with an irrepressible sense of joy. Also featuring Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, Mike Myers, Dan Akroyd, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
- Year2025
- Runtime98 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- PremiereColorado
- DirectorNick Davis
- ScreenwriterNick Davis, Jane Mendelsohn
- ProducerNick Davis, Susan Turley, Tom Powers, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Josh Church, Jan Gura, Zachary Hausman, Kinder Labatt
- Executive ProducerJudd Apatow, Sally Klingenstein Martell, Teresa Tsai, Glenn Kaino, Stephanie Hannon, Stephanie Holder Kotton, Dr. Ryan Kotton, Stark D. Kirby Jr., Jane Mendelsohn
- CastMartin Short, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Paul Shaffer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers, Heidi Gardner, Janeane Garofolo, Dan Aykroyd
- CinematographerWolfgang Held
- EditorDoug Abel
- ComposerStephen Schwartz, Brian Jones, Timo Elliston
Please note this film is only viewable in the state of Colorado. The film is preceded by a brief introduction by the film's director and producer Nick Davis.
On June 1, 1972, a scrappy production of Godspell opened at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre and accidentally launched a comedy supernova. What looked like a bunch of singing, overall-clad hippies retelling the Gospel of Matthew turned out to be a talent incubator of remarkable proportions. During its 14-month run, the cast included future comedy royalty: Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, Victor Garber, and musical director Paul Shaffer. Yes, that many legends really were in one show. Lightning struck. Repeatedly. The production’s loose, improvisational vibe helped shape the sensibility that would later define Saturday Night Live, SCTV, and a generation of film and TV comedy. Nick Davis’ documentary captures the magic through lively interviews and playful recreations (since, tragically, no one in 1972 thought to film everything on a smartphone). You Had to Be There brings this special time back into the present with an irrepressible sense of joy. Also featuring Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, Mike Myers, Dan Akroyd, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
- Year2025
- Runtime98 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- PremiereColorado
- DirectorNick Davis
- ScreenwriterNick Davis, Jane Mendelsohn
- ProducerNick Davis, Susan Turley, Tom Powers, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Josh Church, Jan Gura, Zachary Hausman, Kinder Labatt
- Executive ProducerJudd Apatow, Sally Klingenstein Martell, Teresa Tsai, Glenn Kaino, Stephanie Hannon, Stephanie Holder Kotton, Dr. Ryan Kotton, Stark D. Kirby Jr., Jane Mendelsohn
- CastMartin Short, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Paul Shaffer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers, Heidi Gardner, Janeane Garofolo, Dan Aykroyd
- CinematographerWolfgang Held
- EditorDoug Abel
- ComposerStephen Schwartz, Brian Jones, Timo Elliston