Gilmer McCormick

Gilmer McCormick (born May 13, 1947)^[1] is an American actress, singer, and director best known for originating one of the ensemble roles in the original off-Broadway production of the musical Godspell in 1971 and reprising a similar role in its 1973 film adaptation.^[2][3] Born in Louisville, Kentucky, McCormick grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Moravian Academy in 1965 before attending Carnegie Mellon University, where she became involved in theater and met early collaborators on Godspell, including its scriptwriter John-Michael Tebelak.^[4][5] Her breakout came with Godspell at the Cherry Lane Theatre, where she performed as part of the ensemble under the direction of Stephen Nathan and with music by Stephen Schwartz; she contributed vocals to the original cast recording, including the song "Learn Your Lessons Well."^[2][6] Following Godspell, McCormick continued her stage work in New York before transitioning to film and television in the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in the horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) as Sister Margaret and guest-starring on the series Hill Street Blues (1981).^[1][7] In 1972, she married Stephen Reinhardt, Godspell's original musical director, with whom she had two children, Brian (born 1976) and Eve (born 1979); the couple relocated to Los Angeles in 1979, where McCormick pursued acting, directing, and teaching at institutions like the Young Actors Space.^[8][1] After a period focused on family and education, she returned to performing in regional theater in Louisville upon moving back to her birthplace in 2010.^[8]

Early life and education

Early life

Gilmer McCormick was born on March 13, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky.^[9][10] She was the daughter of Rev. John McCormick and Marilyn McCormick, along with siblings Marilyn and Brian, though public details about her family background remain limited.^[11] Born in Louisville, Kentucky, McCormick grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.^[4]

Education

McCormick graduated from Moravian Academy, a preparatory school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1965.^[5] She subsequently attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1969 with a B.A. in drama.^[2] At the university, which emphasized training for repertory theater including works by Chekhov and Shakespeare, McCormick immersed herself in the drama program to develop her performing arts skills. At Carnegie Mellon, she met early collaborators on Godspell, including its creator John-Michael Tebelak, and developed skills in ensemble acting, character development, and vocal performance that prepared her for her professional career in the original off-Broadway production.^[2]

Career

Stage career

Gilmer McCormick made her professional stage debut in the original off-Broadway production of Godspell at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City, opening on May 17, 1971.^[12] As one of the ten ensemble members portraying disciples, she performed the solo "Learn Your Lessons Well," a number added to the score shortly before the premiere, which highlighted her vocal contributions amid the show's improvisational and parable-driven structure.^[13] McCormick continued with the Godspell stage production intermittently through the early 1970s, appearing off and on in New York City performances as the show gained popularity and transferred venues.^[8] Her sustained involvement helped sustain the musical's grassroots energy during its initial run, which emphasized communal theater and audience engagement over traditional star-driven narratives. This period marked her primary focus in live theater, establishing her as a key figure in the off-Broadway scene of the era. Following her Godspell tenure, McCormick transitioned to the 1973 film adaptation, reprising her ensemble role and solo in a cinematic capture of the production's spirit.^[8] No other major stage acting credits are documented in her early career, though she later returned to regional theater in Louisville, Kentucky, in acting and directing capacities after relocating there in the 2010s. For example, she directed KIN (2016) and Goin' Up Home (2022) for Eve Theatre Company, and performed as Marge Samuels in The Samuels Women (2016).^{[8][14][15][16]}

Singing career

McCormick's singing career is prominently featured through her contributions to the original Off-Broadway cast recording of Godspell, released in 1971 by Bell Records. She provided lead vocals on the track "Learn Your Lessons Well," delivering a solo performance that highlighted her clear, emotive tone in the musical's folk-rock style.^[17] In addition to her solo work, McCormick shared duet vocals with Peggy Gordon on "By My Side," a poignant ensemble piece accompanied by guitar, which underscored themes of companionship and faith in the show's narrative. She also contributed ensemble vocals and guitar throughout the album, including on tracks like "We Beseech Thee" and "Light of the World," supporting the recording's communal sound.^[18][19] McCormick reprised her vocal role in the 1973 film adaptation of Godspell, appearing on the original motion picture soundtrack released by Bell Records. Her ensemble performance on "Light of the World," alongside Jerry Sroka, Jeffrey Mylett, and Robin Lamont, helped translate the stage musical's intimate acoustics to a broader cinematic audience. These recordings, including the original cast album that achieved gold certification and peaked at No. 34 on the Billboard 200, played a key role in sustaining Godspell's popularity by making its songs accessible beyond live theater, influencing subsequent revivals and covers.^[20][21]

Filmography

Film

• Squares (1972) – Chase Lawrence^[22]
• Slaughterhouse-Five (1972) – Lily Rumfoord
• Godspell (1973) – Gilmer (disciple); this film adaptation extended her stage performance in the musical.^[23]
• Starting Over (1979) – Stephanie^[24]
• China Lake (1983) – Helene^[25]
• Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – Sister Margaret
• A Journey in Faith (1999) – Self

Television

McCormick began appearing in television productions in the early 1970s, with her initial credits on the PBS anthology series NET Playhouse.^[26] In 1970, she portrayed Karen Renick in the episode "The Taking," a documentary-drama exploring family tensions amid urban development threats.^[27][28] Later that year, she played Princess Thulja in the episode "The Ceremony of Innocence," an adaptation of Ronald Ribman's play set in 11th-century England amid war and invasion.^[29][27]

• CBS Daytime 90 (1974) – Susan Banks (episode: "The Guest Room")^[30]
• The Adams Chronicles (1976) – Marian Hooper Adams (Chapter XII: Henry Adams, Historian)^[31]

Her television work continued into the 1980s, reflecting a broader shift toward episodic and made-for-TV roles during that decade.^[32] In 1981, McCormick guest-starred as Maureen Macafee in the Hill Street Blues episode "Double Jeopardy" (Season 1, Episode 5), appearing in a single installment of the NBC police drama.

• American Playhouse (1982) – Grape-buying woman (uncredited) (episode: "Working")^[33]

She also featured in the 1984 NBC TV movie The Burning Bed, directed by Robert Greenwald, playing the role of Salesperson in this fact-based drama starring Farrah Fawcett as an abused wife.^[34][35]

• I Had Three Wives (1985) – (episode: "You and I Know")^[36]

Personal life

Marriage and family

Gilmer McCormick married Stephen Reinhardt, the associate musical supervisor for the original off-Broadway production of Godspell, on February 12, 1972, with their wedding reception held immediately following a matinee performance of the show.^[8] The couple welcomed two children during the 1970s: son Brian in 1976 and daughter Eve in 1979.^[8] McCormick and Reinhardt raised their family through the 1970s and 1980s in Los Angeles, to which they relocated in 1979 as Eve was on the way, while she balanced child-rearing with her acting commitments in theater, film, and television.^[8][1]

Later years

Following her appearance in the 1999 video production A Journey in Faith, where she appeared as herself, McCormick retired from screen acting.^[37] This marked the end of her on-camera work after a career spanning stage, film, and television roles primarily in the 1970s and 1980s.^[1] In 2010, McCormick and her family relocated from Los Angeles back to her birthplace of Louisville, Kentucky, where she returned to performing and directing in regional theater.^[8] She has been involved with local companies such as Eve Theatre Company, directing productions including Kin (2016), 10 Out of 12 (2018), and Answers in the Past (2022).^[14][38][39] In 2021, McCormick participated in commemorative events for the 50th anniversary of Godspell, the musical that launched her career. She joined original cast members for a reunion on the online series Stars in the House, hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, sharing reflections on the production's impact.^[40] She also appeared in interviews for "Beltline to Broadway," a podcast celebrating the show's legacy, discussing her experiences as part of the original off-Broadway ensemble.^[41] These appearances represented engagements connecting her early career to ongoing legacy discussions. As of 2025, McCormick continues to reside in Louisville, Kentucky, and remains active in the local theater community, though she maintains a lower public profile compared to her earlier years in New York and Los Angeles.^[8]