Martin Short, Eugene Levy revisit Gilda Radner's unforgettable Godspell audition

Martin Short and Eugene Levy are looking back at the production that helped launch their careers in a new documentary about the 1972 Toronto staging of Godspell.

The upcoming documentary, You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, reunites members of the original cast as they reflect on the musical's lasting impact and the friendships that shaped some of Canada's biggest comedy stars.

Martin Short and Eugene Levy revisit iconic production

The trailer opens with Short and Levy joking about the documentary before revisiting the Royal Alexandra Theatre, where the original production took place.

Directed by Nick Davis and executive produced by Judd Apatow, the documentary features interviews with original cast members, including Andrea Martin, Victor Garber, Jayne Eastwood and Paul Shaffer. It also includes appearances from Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers and Heidi Gardner, who discuss the production's influence on comedy.

Miranda says the 1972 cast became "a good chunk of comedy royalty."

Gilda Radner's audition left a lasting impression

The trailer also revisits Gilda Radner's memorable audition for Godspell.

Victor Garber recalls that Radner performed "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah", while Eugene Levy says she immediately stood out among nearly 1,000 auditioning performers.

Short says he still remembers watching her performance.

"That is the most tragic thing I've ever seen," he recalls thinking during the audition.

Radner later became one of the original stars of Saturday Night Live before her death from ovarian cancer in 1989.

Documentary explores friendships and legacy

Beyond the auditions, the documentary focuses on the lifelong bonds formed during the production.

Short says Levy encouraged him to audition, while Andrea Martin describes the cast as feeling like a family. Levy also recalls that he and Short shared a house, which became a regular gathering place for fellow cast members.

The documentary also highlights the show's broader legacy, with Mike Myers saying the cast inspired him to pursue comedy.

You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution opens at New York's Film Forum on Sept. 18 before expanding to theatres nationwide on Sept. 25.