Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that ends the
Christmas season, a time when many of us celebrated the birth of Christ, by
coming full circle with the story of Christ’s last days of life and crucifixion. This production
won the 2017 Oliver Award winning Best Musical Revival. It’s a show that had its debut 50 years ago in the 1970’s. Back then,
I remember the controversy that the album and show caused because it was
loosely based on the Bible and told Christ’s story from the point of view of a disgruntled
Judas. I also remember that everyone was singing the beautiful music and that the
album was played on the radio. This was a ground breaking show by Andrew Lloyd
Webber and Tim Rice that fueled discussion, debate and reflection on Christ’s ultimate
sacrifice for mankind.
Refection
Just like the lyrics of one of the opening songs “What’s the
Buzz” there was a buzz in the air about this show. I heard people saying that they
had the original 1970 album, others remembered that they last saw the show in their
“hippie youth” and some, like me, were
just excited to hear the music that provoked
so much emotion.
This production was more akin to a rock concert than a
typical musical. The overture starts with a guitar rift, the actors sing into a
microphone and there seemed to be constant background dancers. There was no need for spoken words or an elaborate
set because the music, dance and expressive actors rocked the story
from the beginning to the end (watch here) .
The opening pulsated as one of the Twelve Apostles, Judas
(James Delisco Beeks) sings “Heaven on Their Minds.” He belts his dissatisfaction with Jesus because he is worried that the mass of followers
would clash with the Roman Empire. Mary’s (Jenna Ruaii) song to relax Jesus, “Everything’s Alright” and her love
song,“I Don’t know How to Love Him” were beautifully sung and greatly anticipated
in the First Act.
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| "Last Supper" seemed to be mimic Michelangelo's painting |
Act two opened with the song “Last Supper” as the apostles seemed to mimic the famous Michelangelo painting. “Gethsemane,” Jesus’s (Aaron LaVigne) heartfelt prayer about his anticipated suffering was sung with so much emotion that my mother and I were brought to tears.
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| Judas turn over Jesus to the Romans with a kiss. |
The music in “The Trial and the 39 Lashes” that raced and crescendoed while 39 crashes and 39 thrusts of gold dust hit Jesus’ back, penetrated ones core emotions. Ending with beams of light during the reenactment of the crucifixion, the reciting of Jesus’s final words in “The Crucifixion,” and the hum of the song “Superstar,” produced a moment of audience pause and silence. This was followed by a burst of wild applause.
This revival of Jesus Christ Supestar was a magnificent
production that celebrated the man, and the
suffering and sacrifice for mankind.
(Jesus Christ Superstar
runs from December 31 to January 5, 2020 in Pittsburgh-for tickets or for more on PNC Broadway series go to trustarts.org. For the Us Tour schedule for your city go here).
(Jesus Christ Superstar
runs from December 31 to January 5, 2020 in Pittsburgh-for tickets or for more on PNC Broadway series go to trustarts.org. For the Us Tour schedule for your city go here).
Spiritual Reflection
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means” the place
of the skull’). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but
after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they crucified him, they divided
up his clothes. (Mathew 27:35-27).