Marti Webb Joins David Essex In One-Night-Only GODSPELL!

Marti Webb, who recently returned to the West End in triumph in her seminal musical, Tell Me on a Sunday, has confirmed she will reunite with David Essex and other original members of the rock musical Godspell at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19 May.

Godspell, the heart-lifting feel-good Broadway musical from Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), is being staged in the West End for the first time since it premiered at the Wyndhams Theatre 42 years ago in a one-off charity gala concert performance, in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK. The star-packed event will be introduced on stage by David Essex, whose casting as Jesus in the original production turned him into an overnight sensation. Now his 1971 co-stars, Marti Webb, Gay Soper, Tom Saffery, Deryk Parkin and Jacquie Ann Carr are confirmed to join him on stage at the end of the evening.

Julie Covington, who was also in the original cast, will be abroad and unable to attend, but it is still hoped that Jeremy Irons - who played John the Baptist - can join them, subject to filming commitments.

Producer and Musical Director Russell Scott said: "We are delighted that so many of the original stars of Godspell can join us at the Lyric - their presence will make the evening extra special for fans of the musical and provide an emotional finale to the evening."

A timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love, featuring such popular songs as Day By Day, Light of the World and Turn Back, O Man, Godspell has touched the hearts of theatregoers all over the world since. For the first time in the UK, fans will hear the stunning new orchestrations from the recent acclaimed Broadway revival production. Godspell will star Zoe Tyler and Andy Abraham, with a West End cast, a live band and a 32-strong choir led by members of Maida Vale Singers and American Musical Theatre Academy.

Zoe Tyler was until recently a regular presenter on ITV1's award-winning daytime show Loose Women. She first appeared in the West End aged 20, as Fantine in LES MISERABLES. Her other shows include Jesus Christ Superstar on tour, the award winning City of Angels in the West End, the Narrator in Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat and as singing legend Eva Cassidy in a national tour of Over The Rainbow.

Since coming second on The X Factor in 2005, Andy Abraham has sold out the Royal Albert Hall and released four albums, selling in excess of half a million records.

The rest of the cast: Stewart Clarke (currently starring as Sam Wheat in the UK tour of Ghost), Rob Houchen (the current West End Marius in LES MISERABLES), Sarah Galbraith (has appeared in all three US productions of The Phantom of The Opera, first on Broadway, before covering and playing Christine Daaé and Madame Giry in Las Vegas and on the US national tour), Katie Paine (currently appearing in We Will Rock You as first cover Killer Queen), Turlough Convery from E4's Fresh Meat (Stephen Sondheim Student Performer of the Year), Jason Broderick (Sweeney Todd at West Yorkshire Playhouse), Laura Darton (a finalist in the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2013). Director Kenneth Avery-Clark. Musical Director Russell Scott. Choreographer Richard Marcel. Producer Russell Scott. Assistant Producer Denise Scott. Associate Producer/Casting Director Mark Pettitt. www.godspellinconcert.com