From Nationalpost · · 1m 30s
Toronto Musical Launches Comedy Revolution
A 1972 Toronto musical birthed comedy legends and inspired modern hits like Schitt’s Creek.
In brief
A 1972 Toronto musical birthed comedy legends and inspired modern hits like Schitt’s Creek. The 1972 Toronto production of Godspell launched careers of Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and others, sparking a comedy revolution that influenced SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and later shows. Originally reported by Nationalpost.
Godspell Toronto Production
You Had to Be There documents the 1972 Toronto production of Godspell that launched comedy careers of Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Paul Shaffer, Dave Thomas, and Victor Garber.
“You Had to Be There is not just a documentary about the celebrated 1972 production of Godspell in Toronto, which effectively launched the comedy careers of Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Andrea Martin, Paul Shaffer, Dave Thomas and Victor Garber, among others.”
Comedy Revolution Impact
The Toronto production midwifed a comedy revolution that influenced SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and modern shows like Schitt’s Creek and Only Murders in the Building.
“It’s a film about how the satellite of a Broadway musical midwifed a comedy revolution that would manifest in comedy landmarks including SCTV and Saturday Night Live all the way to Schitt’s Creek and Only Murders in the Building.”
2025 Toronto Film Festival Premiere
You Had to Be There premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and took over a year to reach Canadian cinemas.
“Curiously, the film premiered at the 2025 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival and took a little more than a year to finally hit the Canadian cinema circuit.”
Release Timeline
After opening at Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox on Friday, Oct. 2, it will trickle across Canadian cinemas through fall, culminating in a CBC broadcast on Dec. 27 and streaming on Gem.
“After opening at Toronto’s TIFF Lightbox on Friday, Oct. 2, it will trickle its way across the country throughout the fall, culminating in a broadcast on CBC on Dec. . Subsequent to that, it will be available to stream on Gem.”
Director’s Delay Reason
Director Nick Davis and co-writer Jane Mendelsohn delayed the film’s release due to cast members’ schedules and timing.
“I think it had a lot to do with the distributor working with some of the cast members’ own schedules and when they would be available to help promote the film.”
Timing as Political Statement
Davis says the film’s timing coincides with U.S.-Canada trade tensions and serves as a reminder of positive historical relations.
“I think the timing is perfect. What’s interesting is, in the film, we have people talking about how the world felt like it was falling apart and there was war and famine and Godspell was the joy the world seemed to need in the early ‘70s.”
Personal Toronto Connection
Mendelsohn, a New Yorker, lived in Toronto during the 1970s and recalls its unique culture and exuberance.
“I actually lived in Toronto later in the ‘70s for two years. And so I had a personal connection to the city and I never thought it would come back around this way.”
The bottom line
The 1972 Toronto production of Godspell launched careers of Martin Short, Eugene Levy, and others, sparking a comedy revolution that influenced SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and later shows.
