Jesus Christ Superstar

[TwinMom7]

DH and I are going tonight to see it....for the 5th time. The first time was 30 years ago, when I was in college.

I love the music, and can't wait to see it again!! I just find it kind of funny to think about the controversy that it brought about in the early 70's - and compare it to the controversy of today's "PASSION".

Oh well...tonight (for 2+hours), I'll slip back to the music and the mermories of my college days!

 

[tc]

We are doing this show next season at our local community theater. I have never seen it, but look forward to auditioning. I hope there is a part for me.

Did you enjoy the performance?

 

[snoopy]

My mother played Mary Magdalene in a 70's community theatre version of Jesus Christ Superstar. I have very fond memories of that, and remember when it was so controversial. Its just astounding what was considered risque then compared to what is considered risque now.

 

[TwinMom7]

Yes, Snoopy....I remember how the critics thought it was just terrible that the story of the last week of Christ's life was being set to "rock" music.

I know as a 20-year old, it was the music that opened the door for me to a better understanding of the story.

We're taking our 12-year old tonight. I remember taking my then 16 year old daughter to see it about 12 years ago. At the intermission, I asked her what she thought and she responded - "it's awesome". Five years ago, I took my 65 year old in-laws, and my mother-in-law cried her way through it.

The music and the story will touch all ages.

 

[Blondie]

I loved Jesus Christ Superstar!

Enjoy!

 

[Duchie]

I saw it on stage with Dennis DeYoung (of Styx) in the role of Pilot. He was perfect! We listen to it in the car frequently. My kids love the music!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I was little when the movie came out and thankfully missed any controversy talk-I grew up with the album in my house and still know every word to every song.

Love the movie!

Regretfully, I have never seen it on stage-
TwinMom-I hope you have a great time at the show...
tc-it is a very strong musical experience, any part would probably be a memorable one...
Duchie-I'm jealous, seeing Dennis DeYoung must have been extra special, I love Styx...

 

[grinningghost]

Pop over to the Debate Board and check out the thread about JCSS. My DD's school recently did JCSS and they did a fantastic job with it. BUT - you knew it had to happen - a guy showed up at the last school board meeting and freaked out about it. Said the show is "blasphemous and inappropriate for high school students".

It's always somethin'.

I hope you enjoy the show - it has great music.

 

[WDWHound]

While I love the music of Jesus Christ Superstar, the show is really more about Judas than Jesus. I am not fond of Webber's portrayal of an uncertain Jesus ("I might have a kingdom somewhere, if I only knew"). The lack of a resurrection scene also bothers me, but Webber is Jewish, so I understand that leaving out that scene is consistant with his own beleifs. Also, the whole concept that Mary Magdaline was romantically in love with Jesus ("I don't know how to love him") grates on me as well.

That said, I really like the portayal of Judas and Pilot in the show.

Its an excellent show, just a bad way for someone to learn about Jesus if they haven't heard much about him before.

 

[Blondie]

I've been trying to locate (to no avail) the soundtrack to the movie. Nobody around here has it.

I finally found it on amazon.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Blondie
I've been trying to locate (to no avail) the soundtrack to the movie. Nobody around here has it.

I finally found it on amazon.

You might also consider getting the soundtrack of the original London cast. Its very, very good.

 

[TwinMom7]

Hey Duchie and Tiggerwannabe...

I saw it in Chicago with Dennis DeYoung as Pilot. You're right - he was PERFECT!!!! At the end, when the came out for their curtain calls, the orchestra broke into "Come Sail Away" and there he stood in his purple robes - playing an air guitar. The crowd went NUTS!

We also saw Dennis in January doing his solo act - again, an awesome performance. DH and I are HUGE Styx fans - having seen them 4 times in concert.

 

[winniedapooh]

We had an awesome group of kids come up from PA. that did this several years ago. They were great and I have the VCR tape so I watch it and listen to the music.

 

[pjlla]

I like my double CD set.... not sure which version it is. It is put out by MCA Records and copyrighted 1969 and 1970, Leeds Music Ltd, London. I think it bought it at Best Buy or one of the major record stores probably 5-7 years ago. It could be from the movie, but it doesn't say that anywhere and I haven't seen the movie in soooooo many years I don't know if it sounds the same.........P

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I grew up in a strict, religious community in Vancouver and I well remember the controversy of putting religion into rock music. I would liken it to the "Passion" movie of today for being controversial.

I just loved the musical. My friend lent me his musical JC Superstore book for piano and I just about memorized the entire songbook in a week before returning it to him.

I now own the DVD. I also heard that the original Judas died a couple weeks ago at age 58.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by Sheree Bobbins
I also heard that the original Judas died a couple weeks ago at age 58.

Wow. I thought he would have been several hundreds of years old by now. Just kidding. I get your meaning.

 

[Towncrier]

I purchased the soundtrack on reel-to-reel tape when it came out in the 70's. I remember singing the soundtrack during lunch in high school. I can't imagine "The Passion" evoking such positive responses for this generation.

 

[TwinMom7]

Towncrier - you're absolutely right! I had it on LP's in the early 70's and wore it out!! I memorized all of the lyrics, and to this day - I can sing it word for word.

For those of us who loved it, it definately invoked a "passion" in us.

 

[Micca]

I had the two LP set I thought it was good stuff.

 

[Kitty 34]

I absolutely loved Jesus Christ Superstar. I have three different albums of it and saw the Broadway musical (in Chicago) and saw the movie (I even remember Ted Neely played Jesus) numerous times............so long ago!!!


Enjoy!