Review: You Had To Be There Captures The Magic Of 70s Godspell

If you love musical theater and classic comedy history, a new documentary named You Had To Be There is definitely worth your time. Directed by Nick Davis and written by Davis alongside Jane Mendelsohn, the film takes a close look at the famous 1970s Toronto production of Stephen Schwartz's Godspell. It brings together most of the living stars from the original cast, including Martin Short, Victor Garber, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, and Paul Shaffer.

The documentary does a fantastic job of blending sit down interviews with rare archival footage and charming 1970s style animation segments. Fans also get to hear wonderful anecdotes from guest stars like Lin Manuel Miranda, Dan Aykroyd, and Mike Myers. The project serves as both a loving tribute to a legendary stage show and a solid primer on how so many brilliant comedy legends got their start before finding fame on television.

While some sections move quickly, the heart of the film remains the genuine lifelong friendships between the cast members. It even finds creative ways to include the story of the late Gilda Radner using animation to fill in the gaps. You Had To Be There is playing now in select theaters, making it the perfect watch for anyone who loves stage history and classic comedy.