Paul Shaffer on the Toronto Play That Begat Comedy as We Know It

Sep 1, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Paul Shaffer—musical director and comedian known for his work with David Letterman—shares his unique perspective on the groundbreaking production of 'Godspell' that ignited a comedy revolution in Toronto. He reflects on the vibrant talent pool it created, including legends like Martin Short and Gilda Radner. Shaffer recounts nostalgic anecdotes from the dynamic 1970s Toronto theater scene, revealing how those formative experiences shaped his career and the essence of Canadian humor. Don't miss his insights on the power of live performance and lasting connections.

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INSIGHT

Godspell As Comedy Catalyst

The 1972 Toronto Godspell acted as a catalyst for an improvisational comedy scene that fed SNL and SCTV.
The show's after-show gatherings and community created a talent pipeline that reshaped North American comedy.

ANECDOTE

How One Audition Changed A Career

Paul Shaffer auditioned for Godspell after playing piano for a friend and was asked by Stephen Schwartz to get a band together and conduct.
That single request launched Shaffer's career and forged lifelong relationships with future comedy stars.

ANECDOTE

From Strip Clubs To The Royal Alex

Shaffer was playing strip-club gigs on Yonge Street and touring northern Canadian bases before Godspell.
He described the Brass Rail nights as thrilling and flattering, a taste of professional life he craved.

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Three years before the first episode of SNL. Four years before the first episode of SCTV. Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner. Andrea Martin and later Dave Thomas, co-starred in a legendary production of a musical called Godspell at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.

The show that launched the careers of a whole generation of comedians is now the subject of a new doc at TIFF. Appropriately titled, You Had to Be There: How The Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, Spread Love and Overalls, and Created a Community that Changed the World (In a Canadian Kind of Way).

Today we speak with someone who had a front row seat to it all. Paul Shaffer, of Letterman fame, but who back in the days of Godspell was just a kid from Thunder Bay gigging in strip clubs on Younge Street. That is, until he landed the job of musical director for the play that would change the comedy world as we know it.

Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer), max collins (Director of Audio), Jesse Brown (Editor and Publisher)

Reported by Ilana Gordon

Fact checking by Julian Abraham

Additional music by Audio Network