Feature Film:
You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution… Spread Love & Overalls, and Created a Community That Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way).
98 minutes ▪︎ English
When Godspell opened at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre on June 1, 1972, it appeared to be a small, joyful stage experiment. What followed was anything but small. As explored in Nick Davis’ documentary You Had to Be There — executive produced by Judd Apatow — the Toronto production became a cultural spark that helped reshape modern comedy.
Its 14-month run brought together an astonishing group of future stars, including Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, Jayne Eastwood, and musical director Paul Shaffer. The show’s loose, improvisational style nurtured a comedic voice that would soon echo through SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and beyond.
Davis’ film captures how deeply transformative the experience was for those involved, using lively interviews, animation, and inventive storytelling to compensate for lost footage. The result is a vivid, celebratory look back at a moment when community, creativity, and comedy collided.
Cast:
Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Jayne Eastwood, Dave Thomas, Paul Shaffer (Musical Director), Gilda Radner (featured via archive footage), Avril Chown, Valda Aviks, Rudy Webb, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janeane Garofalo, Heidi Gardner, James Austin Johnson, Stephen Schwartz (Composer of Godspell), Judd Apatow (Executive Producer), John Candy (featured via archive footage), Catherine O'Hara (featured via archive footage).
Director Bio:
Nick Davis is an American writer and director known for blending cultural history, humor, and human connection in his work. He has directed insightful documentaries such as You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, celebrating a pivotal moment in comedy history. Davis frequently collaborates with his wife and producing partner, Jane Mendelsohn, who also produced his documentary This Ordinary Thing. As a writer, he has contributed to major publications with a sharp, accessible critical voice, while his filmmaking is marked by warmth, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the artists and movements that shape popular culture.
NYCFF 2026 OPENING NIGHT!
Your ticket Includes:
Feature Film - NYC PREMIERE
2 Shorty Shorts
Q&A with Writer/Director Nick Davis & Select Cast
After party
The Shorty Shorts Featured this evening are:
The Substance…For Men
A short form parody of The Substance.
Can You Take a Photo of Us?
Things get very weird when two friends ask a stranger to take their photo.
Read More about The NYCFF Shorty Shorts Program + Here +