TIFF documentary You Had to Be There remembers hilarity of 1972 Toronto production of Godspell

The 10-member cast included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas and Valda Aviks as well as Victor Garber.

For more than 50 years, people have talked about the hit 1972 Toronto production of the clowning hippie musical Godspell in revered tones. The play gobsmacked audiences for more than a year, first at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, then at the Bayview Playhouse.

Because of the post- Godspell success of some of the cast members, the production has taken on mythic proportions. Words could not describe it, which is why the new documentary on the Toronto version of Godspell is called You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...

The film, directed by Nick Davis, makes its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday at t