Editing Godspell (section)

=== Act I ===
The show opens with the "Opening (Monologue)", as [[God]]'s voice, spoken by [[Jesus]], declaring his supremacy: "My name is Known: God and King. I am most in majesty, in whom no beginning may be and no end." The cast then enters and takes the roles of various [[philosopher]]s who sing their philosophies, first alone, then in cacophonous [[counterpoint]] ("Prologue: Tower of Babble").

In response, [[John the Baptist]] enters blowing a [[shofar]] to call the community to order. He then beckons them to "Prepare Ye, The Way of the Lord!" and baptizes the cast ("Prepare Ye"). John gives a short sermon, as [[Jesus]] watches quietly. Jesus then announces his presence and says that he also wishes to be baptized. John instead asks to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus explains that "We do well now to conform with all that God requires" and is baptized by John. The cast enters and sings with Jesus ("Save the People").

In his first [[parable]], Jesus explains that he has come "not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to complete." Jesus explains to the cast that those who adhere to the law of God will earn the highest place in the Kingdom of Heaven. He tells them the parable of [[Parable of the Unjust Judge|the Widow and the Judge]], demonstrating that God is a just jurist who will support those who cry out to him.

The cast begins to understand Jesus' teachings and take it upon themselves to tell the story of the [[Pharisee and the Publican]] praying in the temple: "Every man who humbles himself shall be exalted!"

As Jesus teaches the law of the offering gifts at the altar, the cast makes offerings of themselves. They are taught that to approach God's altar, they must be pure of heart and soul. They then act out the [[Parable of the Unforgiving Servant]] a story of a master and a servant who owes him a debt. The servant asks his master for pity in repaying the debt, and the master absolves it. The servant then turns to a fellow servant who "owed him a few dollars" and demands that it be paid in full. The master, hearing this, then condemns the servant to prison. Jesus explains the moral: "Forgive your brothers from your heart." The character telling the parable sings "Day by Day", and the cast joins in. After the song, Jesus teaches that if one part of you offends God, it is better to lose it than to have the whole of the body thrown into hell.

The cast then plays [[charades]] to finish several statements posed by Jesus, including "If a man sues you for your shirt..." and "If a man asks you to go one mile with him...." The cast then performs the [[Parable of the Good Samaritan]] as a [[Play Within a Play|play-within-a-play]]. Jesus explains the need to "love your enemies" and "not make a show of religion before men". He says: "God will reward a good deed done in secret" ("Shhh! It's a secret!").

The cast then performs the parable of [[Lazarus and Dives|Lazarus]] and the rich man. On earth, the rich man feasts, and Lazarus begs and is ignored. Upon dying, Lazarus is rewarded with Heaven, while the rich man is in Hell. The audience is told to "Learn Your Lessons Well" or be faced with eternal damnation. When the rich man asks Abraham if he would send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers of their impending doom, Abraham tells him no: "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead."

Jesus teaches that no man can serve two masters (God and money). A member of the cast tells a story of a man who spent a lifetime acquiring the good things in life, then dies before he has the time to enjoy them. This character sings "Bless the Lord," then Jesus tells the cast not to worry about tomorrow: "Tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has problems of its own."

In an [[antiphon]]ic chorus, the cast recites the [[Beatitudes]]. Judas directs the final beatitude regarding persecution at Jesus, and Jesus quickly changes the subject ("Did I ever tell you that I used to read feet?"). However, Jesus then persuades the cast that it is "All for the Best" and heaven contains the ultimate reward as Jesus and Judas do a [[soft shoe]] together.

This is followed by the [[Parable of the Sower|parable of the Sower of the Seeds]], which Jesus tells them represent the Word of God ("All Good Gifts").

By this point in the musical, the group has transformed from a rag-tag cast, into a community of love and caring and now march as soldiers in the military, signifying their ability to think as one. With Jesus as the drill sergeant, they perform the [[Parable of the Prodigal Son]]. The cast sings "Light of the World" about Christ's Light and how it shines in each person.