Saw "Jesus Christ Superstar" last night . Ted Neeley's Farewell Tour UPDATED(videos)

Deb in IA

Knows that KIDS are better
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Aug 18, 1999
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YouTube videos of Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson added on page 2.



DH has absolutely loved the music of JCS, even when it was still a concept album, and not yet developed into a show. He has the original recording, with Ian Gillan as Jesus and Murray Head as Judas. We weren't that impressed with the movie, and although we loved Carl Anderson as Judas, we always thought that Ted Neeley was weak and whiney as Jesus.

But we saw both Neeley and Anderson about 10 years ago, during the Reunion tour, and really enjoyed it. Sadly, Carl Anderson died about 3 years ago from leukemia.

This tour is being advertised as Ted Neeley's Farewell tour, so we decided that we had to go. We took the kids too, as DD is getting very interested in musical theater - she's rehearsing with her school play "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" right now. And DH has been playing his original JCS CD's in the car for the last week!

And we were pretty impressed with the show last night. Neeley seems to have gotten better with time - his voice is now richer and deeper, and not as whiney. And he can still rattle the rafters with his big number "Gethsemene"! Although DD complained "Mom, Jesus is OLD!", he is in amazing shape! Not many 63 year olds can look like that in the crucifixion scene . . . although the harness for the fly wires was bulky and made his loincloth look a bit like a Depends!!! :scared1:

Corey Glover as Judas was disappointing. He was the former singer for Living Colour ("Cult of Personality"), and he sang the role like a hard rocker, without much experience in musical theater. He was lacking in the dynamics, control, and phrasing. He was belting everything out, and without the softer parts to contrast, it lacks its impact.

All in all, we were really glad we saw it . . .
 
Oh, and before people start nit-picking the theology of the show, we just take it for entertainment - in other words, musical theater.
 
Oh, and before people start nit-picking the theology of the show, we just take it for entertainment - in other words, musical theater.

I would never nitpick it...I love Jesus CHrist Superstar

I don't know how to loooove him..................
 

Very cool. ("Jesus is OLD! LOL!) I agree about Ted Neeley's on screen portrayal but I thought he came across well on the recording for the movie. Glad to hear that Neeley is sounding good also (though it was always hard not the hear "Smoke on the Water" come out of Jesus' mouth in the back of my mind).

I also always preferred the Ian Gillan original when listen ting to it, but it's such a great show. I must say that I love the song included in the movie that wasn't in the original (Can we Start Again Please - I think that's the name).

I saw a "production" of it in the 70's with most of the original recording cast but it wasn't "staged". It was mostly a "concert" if you will. Still quite a thrill.

We did a production of Superstar at our church 3 years ago - fully staged - full orchestra and band. It came off very well. Lots of fun. I was in the orchestra and some of the songs bring back emotions and such, making it hard to get through (It's hard to blow a Clarinet or Oboe or Sax with tears streaming down your face.......
 
Wow, cool! I love the music & loved the movie! Even though, I do agree with you about Ted Neely's voice.
When I saw your post, I thought, Ted Neely still performing???! That can't be right. How old is he? Glad to hear, that he's still able to do it, even if it is his farewell tour.
Thanks for the update. I'm curious as to how many replies you'll get to your post. Think there are a lot of "rockers" from our generation around here?:) :confused3
 
I would love to see Corey Glover as Judas. :thumbsup2

And count me in as another guy that thinks Jesus sounds better in Deep Purple.
 
Wow, cool! I love the music & loved the movie! Even though, I do agree with you about Ted Neely's voice.
When I saw your post, I thought, Ted Neely still performing???! That can't be right. How old is he? Glad to hear, that he's still able to do it, even if it is his farewell tour.
Thanks for the update. I'm curious as to how many replies you'll get to your post. Think there are a lot of "rockers" from our generation around here?:) :confused3


shovan, I pulled up Ted Neeley's profile on IMDB, and his birthdate is listed as September 20, 1943, which makes him 63!!!!

Here is the JCS Tour website, for some more information . . . and memories.

http://www.thejcstour.com/
 
Thanks Deb! I was just searching for it! Neely still looks pretty good. And hey, I know I couldn't hang from any harness!;)

I'm so bummed though! The show was nearby in Nov. (Baton Rouge, we're in New Orleans) I didn't hear anything about it. DH & I would have loved to see it!
Just looking at the site....what memories that brings back!
 
Corey Glover has big shoes to fill. Carl Anderson is hard to replace.
 
I am going to see it when it comes to California (can't remember when that is). I also saw the Reunion tour with Carl Anderson.
 
I agree, I remember the theater I saw the movie in and who I was with! Good times!

I can't remember much lately, but I do remember that! The theater, the people that I went with... Wow, DH was just a date that night!
 
I agree about Ted Neeley's on screen portrayal but I thought he came across well on the recording for the movie. Glad to hear that Neeley is sounding good also (though it was always hard not the hear "Smoke on the Water" come out of Jesus' mouth in the back of my mind).

LOL! We have the soundtrack from the movie as well, and will go and compare the recordings.
 
I wanted so badly to go see it when they were performing here in Lansing but we had other commitments that weekend. Glad to hear your review, tho.

I was a big Ted Neely fan when he was in JC Superstar the movie. :love:

I did get to see the Broadway version of the musical in Chicago years ago which was pretty good.
 
I love Jesus Christ Superstar!! I saw it a few years ago in NYC and I don't remember who was playing Jesus but he wasn't very good. My friend turned to me about halfway into the show and whispered "Wow, Jesus s%@ks" Well, we both realized at the same time how that sounded and cracked up, as did the people next to and behind us!
 
For those of you who want to "see" Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson sing, I found some clips on YouTube:

Here's Ted singing "Gethsemene" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nPfPUv72Uc&search=ted neeley


and Carl singing "Superstar" on the same show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgvckfHvsfw

and, on another occasion, Carl singing my personal favorite, "Heaven on Their Minds" on the Today show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvh3Rf4oulU


What a voice. We miss you, Carl.
 
Dh and I saw Jesus Christ Superstar before DD was born. It starred the original "Jesus" from Broadway, don't know if it is the same guy. We were in hysterics laughing all night tho, the theater was full of "Jesus" groupies! :hippie: :rotfl2: Apparently, this guy had a following. There were "Jesus" look alikes and they would stand up and cheer and even sing along. I kept expecting them to take their lighters out and start swaying to the music!!

We did enjoy the production....and the sideshow!
 
For those of you who want to "see" Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson sing, I found some clips on YouTube:

Here's Ted singing "Gethsemene" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nPfPUv72Uc&search=ted neeley


and Carl singing "Superstar" on the same show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgvckfHvsfw

and, on another occasion, Carl singing my personal favorite, "Heaven on Their Minds" on the Today show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvh3Rf4oulU


What a voice. We miss you, Carl.

Just buy the DVD of the movie. It's great. :)
 












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