Godspell returns to West End for one-off concert starring Andy Abraham

Godspell, the award-winning Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), is to receive a West End concert staging on 19 May 2014 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue.

The one-off performance, in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, will be "introduced on stage" by David Essex, who played Jesus in the original West End production 42 years ago.

The concert will star Zoe Tyler and Andy Abraham, supported by "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, who is playing the character of Lindsay, renamed Zoe for the concert, has stage credits include playing Fantine in Les Misérables in the West End and Eva Cassidy in a national tour of Over The Rainbow.

Andy Abraham, playing Judas, rose to fame on The X Factor in 2005 and has since released four albums.

The cast also features: Stewart Clarke (UK tour of Ghost), Rob Houchen (Les Misérables), Sarah Galbraith (The Phantom of The Opera, Broadway), Katie Paine (We Will Rock You), Turlough Convery from (E4’s Fresh Meat), Jason Broderick (Sweeney Todd at West Yorkshire Playhouse) and Laura Darton.

A modern-day song-and-dance recreation of St Matthew's gospel, Godspell begins with John the Baptist gathering up followers and concludes with Jesus' crucifixion in a junkyard. Amongst the score’s songs are "Day by Day", "All Good Gifts" and "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord".

The West End concert is directed by Kenneth Avery Clark and choreographed by Paul Robinson.