
You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...
Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Paul Shaffer, and other entertainment icons got their start in a 1972 Toronto production of the musical Godspell. Featuring interviews with the surviving cast members, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers, and more, the film recounts a pivotal moment in comedy history, in hilarious, moving, and inspiring detail. Executive produced by Judd Apatow.
Directed by Nick Davis · Documentary · Comedy · 98 min · 2026
Trailer
Director
Nick Davis
Studio
Open Door Co. / XRM Media
Release
2026-09-18
Runtime
98 min
Genres
Documentary, Comedy
Cast & Characters

Self / Jeffrey
Martin Short

Self / Herb / Jesus
Eugene Levy

Self / Jesus
Victor Garber

Self / Robin
Andrea Martin

Self / Sonia
Jayne Eastwood

Self / Peggy
Valda Aviks
Did You Know?
Critical Assessment
You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... is newly added and doesn't yet have enough aggregated ratings data to summarize.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of September 10, 2026
AI Verdict
AI-generatedToo early for a meaningful verdict — check back as ratings data comes in via the site's daily refresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... come out?+
You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... is scheduled for release on 2026-09-18.
How long is You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...?+
You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... has a runtime of 98 min.
Who directed You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...?+
You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... was directed by Nick Davis.
Fan & Critic Buzz
Reviewers were largely enthusiastic about the movie, with some praising its nostalgic value and others expressing their own personal connections to the original Godspell. Many highlighted the unique production style and talented cast that was brought to life on screen. The response indicated a strong interest in seeing the film and its potential to introduce new audiences to the show.
From the trailer's comments
I got to see this movie at the Milwaukee Film Festival in April...SCTV fans: This is a must-see!!
@dearmrfantasy · 14 likesI adore the '70s-style cartoon interludes! Such a perfect interpretation of the cast and mood.
@stannieholt8766 · 8 likesI've always been fascinated by the unlikely miracle that this show would launch the careers of SO MANY amazing talents. Having done a rinky-dink staging of Godspell myself back in college, though, I can understand how the play itself would be a catalyst - it's a strange, goofy, h…
@shawnkelly1531 · 10 likesJesus, that must’ve been a hell of a ride. Can’t wait to see this.
@steves8815 · 2 likesI have got to see this.
@chambersstevens3135 · 1 likesAmazing cast!
@Mike_StevensMOT · 1 likesI saw it! Such a fantastic show!
@suzannecourtney766 · 1 likesOur school brought us to this
@unclemarty1 · 0 likes






