Synopsis
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera, loosely based on the accounts of the last week of Jesus' life as depicted in the Gospels. The musical begins as Jesus is preparing to enter Jerusalem with Judas becoming increasingly worried about the attention the group is getting. The night before the journey, Jesus and his followers are relaxing and Mary Magdeline decides to soothe a clearly stressed Jesus by washing his hands and feet with an expensive oil. This makes Judas angry; not just because of the money she has wasted but because she has a less than pure past and Judas is worried that her reputation will rub off on the group. Jesus isn't happy with this reaction and explains that they are unlikely to be able to save all the poor anyway and everyone should just leave Mary alone. The troubles in the group are hidden as they process into Jerusalem surrounded by excited crowds who cheer and profess Jesus to be the "King of the Jews". This makes the priests very uneasy and they decide that something must be done to put a stop to this: Jesus must die! They ask Jesus to break up his band of followers but he tells them that this would be pointless as even if the crowds stopped their singing "the rocks and stones" would take up the tune. Pontius Pilate has a dream that he will be blamed for Jesus' death even though he has yet to meet the man causing him problems, while Jesus goes to visit a Temple which he is horrified to find has been taken over by the money lenders and merchants of dodgy goods. He is furious, turning over tables and screaming at everyone to get out. This is the last straw for Judas, who has become increasingly jealous of Jesus' relationship with Mary, so he goes to the priests and agrees to help them with their plan, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
The second act opens with the scene of the Last Supper, during which Jesus breaks bread, drinks wine and gives thanks. He instructs his followers to do this in rememberance of him although he worries that they will forget him as soon as he is dead. The disciples deny this and Jesus predicts that Peter will claim he doesn't know Jesus three times by the end of the next day. He is horrified by this but after the meal the disciples fall asleep, untroubled and satisfied. Jesus expresses his worry about the path he is travelling down although by the time Judas arrives to betray him he has accepted his fate. Jesus is arrested and taken to Pilate, who, remembering his dream, doesn't want to convict Jesus, especially since he cannot see any crime. He sends Jesus off to Herod who is the leader of the land of Jesus' birth but Herod isn't impressed with what he sees. Apparently Jesus doesn't live up to his reputation and Herod doesn't want to waste his time on Jesus and sends him back to Pilate. By this time Peter has already denied three times that he knew Jesus and is feeling guilty about this. The apostles remember the time before they met Jesus and wish they could return to this time of peace. Judas goes back to the priests to say how guilty he is feeling but they dismiss his concerns and say that he will be "remembered forever" for his role in Jesus' demise. Judas is unable to accept this fate and hangs himself from a tree.
In Jerusalem the crowds have turned against Jesus and demand that he be put to death. Pilate is still worried about this because of his dream and instead decides that Jesus should be beaten. He tries to get Jesus to give him a way out but when Jesus refuses Pilate gets mad and agrees that he should be sentanced to death. Whilst preparring for the crucifixion Jesus is visited by a vision of Judas who sings the title song from the musical with much sparkle, bright lights and plenty of modern day references. Jesus is killed and the story ends with the apostles, Mary and Judas mourning the fact that their saviour has died.
The second act opens with the scene of the Last Supper, during which Jesus breaks bread, drinks wine and gives thanks. He instructs his followers to do this in rememberance of him although he worries that they will forget him as soon as he is dead. The disciples deny this and Jesus predicts that Peter will claim he doesn't know Jesus three times by the end of the next day. He is horrified by this but after the meal the disciples fall asleep, untroubled and satisfied. Jesus expresses his worry about the path he is travelling down although by the time Judas arrives to betray him he has accepted his fate. Jesus is arrested and taken to Pilate, who, remembering his dream, doesn't want to convict Jesus, especially since he cannot see any crime. He sends Jesus off to Herod who is the leader of the land of Jesus' birth but Herod isn't impressed with what he sees. Apparently Jesus doesn't live up to his reputation and Herod doesn't want to waste his time on Jesus and sends him back to Pilate. By this time Peter has already denied three times that he knew Jesus and is feeling guilty about this. The apostles remember the time before they met Jesus and wish they could return to this time of peace. Judas goes back to the priests to say how guilty he is feeling but they dismiss his concerns and say that he will be "remembered forever" for his role in Jesus' demise. Judas is unable to accept this fate and hangs himself from a tree.
In Jerusalem the crowds have turned against Jesus and demand that he be put to death. Pilate is still worried about this because of his dream and instead decides that Jesus should be beaten. He tries to get Jesus to give him a way out but when Jesus refuses Pilate gets mad and agrees that he should be sentanced to death. Whilst preparring for the crucifixion Jesus is visited by a vision of Judas who sings the title song from the musical with much sparkle, bright lights and plenty of modern day references. Jesus is killed and the story ends with the apostles, Mary and Judas mourning the fact that their saviour has died.
Main Characters
- Jesus Christ - Leader of the gang, son of God, King of the Jews. Jesus struggles with the idea that he must sacrifice himself when finally faced with the moment in the garden of Gethsemane, leading to one of the most powerful songs in the show, but goes along with the plan and is cruxified.
- Judas Iscariot - One of the main roles, Judas is uneasy about the way things are going and questions Jesus repeatedly on his methods. When he is approached by the priests he agrees to give Jesus up although feels so guilty afterwards that he takes his own life. The audience is led to feel sorry for Judas and the relationship he has with Jesus, something which isn't really shown in any detail in the Gospels and is probably artistic licence!
- Mary Magdeline - A female follower of Jesus who has a bit of a dodgy past. Mary falls in love with Jesus and doesn't know how to deal with her feelings. She is devestated by his imprisonment and consequent death.
- Pontius Pilate - Pilate was the Governor of Judea who is responsible for sentancing Jesus, although he does this reluctantly. His dream forsees that this event will occur and that the people will turn against him so he tries to send Jesus to Herod for sentancing, just to find the trouble sent straight back to him.
- Caiaphas and Annas - High Priest Caiaphas and fellow priest Annas hatch a plan to get rid of Jesus after they see that he is a threat to the peace in their nation. They persuade Judas to hand over his leader in exchange for a monetry award.
- Peter - One of the Disciples of Jesus, Peter denies three times that he knows Jesus, just as his leader predicted he would.
- King Herod - The King of Galilee who Jesus is taken to for sentencing by Pilate. He is portrayed as a bit of a party boy who just wants to have fun as he mocks Jesus for his title of "King of the Jews". He gets annoyed when Jesus won't perform miracles for him and sends Jesus back to Pilate.
Musical Numbers
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This song appears right at the end of the musical after Judas has killed himself and whilst Jesus is being nailed to the cross. Very camp and glittery it contrasts well with the more serious aspects of the musical.
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Creators
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lord Lloyd Webber (1948 - present) is a British Composer who has composed 13 musicals, two film scores and many other songs. He was knighted by the queen in 1992 and then made a Lord in 1997 for his services to Music. He has won countless awards including Tonys, Grammys, Ivor Novello, Olivier, Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Many of the songs he has written have been hits outside their musicals. His noted successes include Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Starlight Express, Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind and more. Webber is still writing musicals although he did take a brief break to act as a judge on some BBC talent shows designed to find rising stars for specific shows including the Sound of Music, Joseph, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Lord Lloyd Webber (1948 - present) is a British Composer who has composed 13 musicals, two film scores and many other songs. He was knighted by the queen in 1992 and then made a Lord in 1997 for his services to Music. He has won countless awards including Tonys, Grammys, Ivor Novello, Olivier, Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Many of the songs he has written have been hits outside their musicals. His noted successes include Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita, Starlight Express, Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind and more. Webber is still writing musicals although he did take a brief break to act as a judge on some BBC talent shows designed to find rising stars for specific shows including the Sound of Music, Joseph, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Sir Tim Rice (1944-present) is a British author and lyricist who is best known for his collaborations with Webber but has enjoyed a long a varied career in musical theatre, film, television, writing for Elton John and Elvis Presley and as a producer. He has worked for the Walt Disney Company creating productions such as Aladdin and The Lion King. He was co-founder of the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles and has been a guest panellist for many years of radio game shows such as Just a Minute. He was knighted by the Queen in 1994 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008. He reunited with Webber in 2011 to write songs for the newest production of The Wizard of Oz but has since said that this partnership has run its course and does not anticipate working together in the future.
Sir Tim Rice (1944-present) is a British author and lyricist who is best known for his collaborations with Webber but has enjoyed a long a varied career in musical theatre, film, television, writing for Elton John and Elvis Presley and as a producer. He has worked for the Walt Disney Company creating productions such as Aladdin and The Lion King. He was co-founder of the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles and has been a guest panellist for many years of radio game shows such as Just a Minute. He was knighted by the Queen in 1994 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008. He reunited with Webber in 2011 to write songs for the newest production of The Wizard of Oz but has since said that this partnership has run its course and does not anticipate working together in the future.
Notable Productions
Original Concept Originally, Jesus Christ Superstar was produced as an album and wasn't a stage musical at all. It was very different to Webber's later work with a strong rock vibe brought by the session musicians and vocalists chosen. The multilayered musical arrangements featured a mixture of rock and classical elements. Ian Gillan, lead singer of Deep Purple, sang the part of Jesus on the album.
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On Stage
On October 12th, 1971, the show opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on Broadway. Some of the cast from the original recording had roles in this production, including Pilate and Mary Magdeline. The show closed on June 30th, 1973 after 711 performances.
The show opened in the West End in 1972 at the Palace Theatre. This was a big success, running for eight years and becoming the UK's longest-running musical at the time. In 2012 Ben Forster was chosen to play Jesus for a new arena tour on a TV show called "Superstar". Other well known celebrities had major roles including Tim Minchin as Judas, Mel C as Mary Magdalene and Chris Moyles as Herod. |
On Film
The 1973 film adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar was the eighth highest-grossing film of that year. It was shot in Israel and other Middle Eastern locations and shows a group of travellers take on the roles of Jesus, his followers and the authorities of Jerusalem. The original Pilate and Mary Magdeline again reprised their roles.
A second film was released in 2000 and it won an Emmy in 2001 for Best Performing Arts film. The film style is closer related to the stage version and several cast members later moved to Broadway. |
Interesting Facts
- The musical was condemned by some religious groups due to the sympathy shown to Judas, the criticisms of Jesus and theway that the Jews are portrayed as calling for the death of Jesus. It was banned in South Africa for being "irreligious".
- Jesus Christ Superstar was the first collaboration between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber to be professionally staged.
- Pop star Agnetha Fältskog (in her pre-ABBA days) starred as Mary Magdalene in the Sweden production on 18 February 1972.
- John Travolta initially auditioned for the role of Jesus in the film but at 17 he was thought to be too young.
- A totally new song, "Then we are Decided", where the priests discuss their plans for Jesus, was written for the 1972 film which doesn't appear in the stage show and was never used in any show again.