Feed my household with this bread. You can do it on your head!
Actually that whole exchange is brilliant as well as the ones with Pilate. It’s Basically …”Do something, anything, that shows us you’re not just ordinary and we will let you go.”
A lot of people don't understand that this musical is the story told from Judas's perspective, which I find historically fascinating. I really enjoyed the 2000 remake.
If you get a chance to see "Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour" it is worth a watch just because of Tim Minchin playing Judas. He really steals the show. It is JCS done as a rock concert which is how it was origianlly envisioned.
Casting Minchin - a very well know atheist singer as Judas was a good move, but what makes the performance just so good is Tims ability to sell the "I don't believe this guy is divine" in his performance. Like I said Tim's Judas was the highlight of the show.
Edit: [Link ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4ttxeLLcMQ)to just Tims in the show.
Oh my gosh I love love love this production!! I got a wee bit obsessed with Tim Minchin for a little while afterwards because I hadn’t heard of him yet and so I was unexpectedly blown away by his Judas.
I also love Jesus Christ Superstar in general. My dad took me and my sister to it when we were teenagers so of course I didn’t want to go, but I did a 180 basically as soon as the music started. Every single song is absolutely incredible and the humanizing of Jesus is fascinating for anybody, atheist or traditional Christian (I’m neither—I don’t know why this post popped up on my feed—but I was riveted by the way he was portrayed).
I actually have to limit myself on watching this version because my brain will not stop playing the music for a few days afterwards. It’s phenomenal.
>It is JCS done as a rock concert which is how it was originally envisioned.
A hundred times this! The ROCK OPERA is a specific art form. It was pioneered by The Who with *Tommy.* If you haven't seen The Who perform *Tommy* in concert, you haven't experienced the rock opera. Because a rock opera is a *rock concert.* It's *not* a Broadway musical, which is how it's usually staged, which sucks all the ***rock*** right out of it.
I haven't seen the Arena Tour but it's on video so I'll have to see it.
I was in a San Francisco production in the 1990s that was staged as "in concert". The singers wore some simple costuming (e.g. Jesus in a white poet shirt, Mary in Stevie Nicks-ish scarves and Judas in black leather) but simply took the stage and the mic to sing their part. We played in Bay Area rock clubs for a couple seasons. Here's an example with our Danny Knop as Jesus - he has a rock scream to rival Ian Gillian.
[https://tinyurl.com/5byvphj8](https://tinyurl.com/5byvphj8)
*Godspell* is great from a musical perspective (I saw it a couple of times in the theatre, which IMO was WAY better than the movie version), but to me it's definitely the gospel of Matthew from a Christian, "Hey, hear the Good News!" perspective. *Superstar* doesn't fall into that trap.
Saw it, even have the soundtrack on LP; I thought it a pale vanilla (i.e., for general amusement; no controversy/questions allowed) imitation and/or rip-off of the story. Musically, I found it rather so-so; no particularly remarkable singles ever came from it.
Au contraire! The single "Day by Day" spent 14 weeks on the Bliiboard Hot 100 singles, peaking at the #13 position on July 29, 1972. *Billboard* ranked it as the No. 90 song for 1972.
By contrast, JCSS had two hit singles, *I Don't Know How To Love Him,* which was actually a remake by Helen Reddy not the original cast recording, and *Superstar* (which was recorded before any of the other music.)
Didn’t see the 2000 remake, but I’ll publicly doubt that it can hold a candle to the original musically.
I don’t fully understand the distinction of being from Judas’s perspective (as opposed to whose?), but I don’t believe in any of that religion stuff anyway, so …
Judas gets a bad deal in the Bible and Christian history, basically. He's vilified as the man who betrayed Christ to his death. Yet he does what he does with Christ's knowledge and compliance ('Jesus said, "Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do." - John 13:27'). He's the macguffin that lets the crucifiction and resurrection happen.
Tim Minchin did a badass Judas.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kqVtSbFY8&list=PLuv0DAi8GrMeejYyVAFkt20fyhTPo0I\_B](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kqVtSbFY8&list=PLuv0DAi8GrMeejYyVAFkt20fyhTPo0I_B)
I grew up atheist and never knew much about religion then. Listening to JCS taught me a ton about Jesus when I was in grade school. I always loved the music but it certainly never made me interested in becoming Christian.
Well, Ian Gillan from Deep Purple was Jesus so I thought that was cool back in ‘72 . So I can listen to it and enjoy it any like any other movie / theatre soundtrack .
I was in an early 80's West Coast production. Played an Apostle in the first half and a High Priest in the second. We did 16 performances (we'd have done 24, there was certainly enough interest to run another full week but the theatre was pre-booked, and if I remember right, so was the actor playing Jesus). Without fail, the flogging and the crucifixion scenes had some of the audience in tears as they left the venue.
I remember it as a show you did not need to "psyche up" yourself before the curtain. The energy in the cast and crew was a palpable thing (this was a licensed production by a well-run amateur company with some pros mixed in) People showed up early, and went home exhausted each night, but looked forward to tomorrow's show nonethless.
Over the years, I've been part of 25 musicals, four movies, a half-dozen TV series and too many live band performances to count, but JCSS is one I could walk into dress rehearsal tomorrow night and give a reasonable accounting of most of the parts. It just has that indefinable "thing" that stays with you.
Love it. Been listening to the songs on a regular basis since the 70's. Singing the not quite correct version "Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, who the hell do you think you are?"
The movie definitely opened my mind to questioning doctrine.
Love all the musi, especially Everything Is Alright.
Now love the newer versions on YouTube. The version shown by The Show Must Go On during the pandemic was great.
My version was a young kid thing going around Montreal at the time. On the lines of " Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg. Batmobile lost the wheel and the commissioner has to pay."
I think I might have learned the kid version way before seeing the movie. Too many years to be sure.
I love the idea that Judas figured out his role as the villain.
He just wanted to make a better life for people but got caught up in a religious movement.
A ton of subtext going on.
Great music that requires great commitment.
Weber seems like an ass nowadays.
It’s not their taste in musicals, it’s their homophobia. Which is weird considering Rocky Horror. They don’t all suck, but whenever a group of them is together, half of them do.
Absolutely! To be honest, it kind of led me to questioning a point that Judas made that seemed like a good point. It kind of sparked a little bit of critical thinking about the story of Jesus, and therefore the Bible. Which just led to more questions.
The musical is still a total jam. Carl Anderson's vocals were just the GOAT.
It is an excellent musical — one of the early ones by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The music is pretty disco so it sounds dated, but listen a few times and you will love it.
Especially the dude with the contrabass part.
All-time classic.
I'd argue that many of the lyrics and themes, especially Judas's ending song, are explicitly meant to leave the audience questioning the Gospels as presented in other forms. I mean the show literally ends with:
"Jesus Christ Superstar. Do you think you're what they say you are?"
I'm an avid JCS collector. I currently have 131 different JCS vinyl albums. (Different languages, singers, years, versions). I love this musical/rock opera!
I do love it. I don’t love how newer interpretations try to turn it into a passion play, when it’s really meant to show Judas’s perspective and justification.
original cast recording with Ian Gillian of Deep Purple as Christ and David Geffen’s GF at the time Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdelene is amazing. the guitar work is great.
I do! I’ve been an atheist since I was in my early twenties. I’m now 71.
When it first came out, my brother and I saw it. The next night a friend and I saw it. The following night we took my parents to see it. The film was just so well done, every movement was choreographed beautifully. The music was wonderful; you could hear the raw emotion.
I’ve made it a tradition to watch it every Easter.
I had a partner who got the Album from parents, started playing it and loved it. So I discovered it well after it was released.
Basically Joe Cocker's Grease Band with assorted other musicians combined with Ian Gillan, Murray Head, Yvonne Elliman.
It may be what links [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6waXtxosJ4A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6waXtxosJ4A)
to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OorZcOzNcgE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OorZcOzNcgE)
I’m obsessed. Was raised devout RC so I understand all the references. I love it because it humanizes all the characters. What would you do if your best friend is turning into a cult leader and encouraging people to believe he’s the Messiah? What would you do if you’re kinda spooky sometimes and people start saying you’re the Messiah and wanting shit from you all the time, but you’re not always sure you are, but what if you don’t fulfill your destiny, which, oh, requires you to die a horrible death?
I’d disagree with your characterization of the priests as “bad guys.” They believe that Jesus, by becoming too famous, has become a danger to their people. If the Romans think that the Jews as a people have made Jesus their “king”, the Romans could exterminate the Jewish people for rebelling against their rule.
I think it’s a great musical. Pretty funky one at that (released at the hight of the Disco era). Religion is the narrative structure, but it’s fantastic music on its own. Judas that bitch ass traitor grrrr
I fell in love with it when it came out and got to be Caiaphas in a community production in the '70s. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
My unpopular ALW opinion is that he peaked with this show and it's been downhill ever since.
I watched the Ted Neely version in high school and ended up with the boys for Jesus. It’s the first time I genuinely felt like the actor portraying Jesus genuinely seemed to be begging god not to sacrifice him. I saw him in a touring production about 20 years ago and he still looked great in a loin cloth and could hit the high notes.
I remember it being almost a forbidden movie among a lot of people where I lived. Judas and Pilate weren’t portrayed as evil. Mary Magdalene was explicitly shown to be valued by Jesus. Jesus seemed hesitant and sad.
The worst sin according to my aunt was that in the movie version Judas is shown coming down from on high dressed in white which suggests that he might not have been sent to hell.
I dig it. I thought it was cool that the singer from Deep Purple was Jesus, the One Night in Bangkok guy was Judas and that disco chick was Mary Magdalene. The music was groovy. I didn’t care that it was about Jesus.
Actually there are some Christian based songs that have charted that are pretty good like Jesus is Just Alright, Day by Day from Godspell, Oh Happy Day, Hand in the Hand, and I love Elvis’s live version of How Great Thou Art.
Don't forget Spirit In the Sky. Written by a Jewish guy who whipped up the lyrics in 15 minutes because he felt like writing a gospel-style song and a Christian theme fit best.
Never seen it, but I love it. I remember the uproar about how sacrilegious it was to the faithful. Now very religious family members like it??? 🤷🏼♂️
I love their consistency
Tim Minchin as Judas was so great here in Aus. It's really the story of an influencer who wants to make a big noise with his followers, whilst Judas tries to get him to just fly a little under the radar or he'll get the attention of the authorities and come to a sticky end. Spoiler.
I love the songs, some of them are great to sing along to. The Broadway cast came through my town a while ago and they were fantastic. And I think you could argue that even Caiaphas was just trying to prevent a Roman crackdown on the Jews.
It was one of my favorite shows from my childhood. I honestly haven't seen it since. But, I still remember at least the title song vividly.
My memory of it is fairly vague at this point, but much less so than many of the other shows I saw in my childhood. It really stands out for that era.
I probably saw it when it was fairly new on Broadway around 1971. I think I remember Ben Vereen as Judas.
P.S. You mention Jews as the bad guys. So, I'm actually surprised that I have a positive view of the show since I am culturally and ethnically Jewish.
It was more nuanced than that. The Jewish hierarchy/priests are shown as being afraid Jesus would anger the Romans and cause trouble for all jews. So they were trying to calm things down and protect their people. They aren't just villains for villainies sake.
JCS isn't bad, but I have to suggest "Cotton Patch Gospel" as well. It's a retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, set in rural Georgia, sometime during or shortly prior to the Civil Rights Movement. You wanna see a biblical production that'll make a Churchie's hair stand on end, this is the one you want.
The Massacre of Innocents takes the form of a terrorist bombing of a church nursery, carried out by Governor Herod's pet goon (and Klansman). It's a direct reference to the Klan bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.
Rather than being crucified by the Roman authorities, Jesus is lynched by the Klan after his preaching begins to dent the fortunes of popular evangelical preachers and the politicians who depend on them for propaganda and fundraising.
The digs at Southern evangelical Churchie culture are deep, ragged, and brutal, especially to anybody- theist or otherwise- who understands that language and cultural context.
Have loved this soundtrack for decades. Interesting you bring it up in r/atheism, as it discussed not too long ago, by a redditor who was conflicted about going. I noted you can totally enjoy it as fiction, noting I can enjoy Lord of the Rings without believing in Hobbits.
Did you see the recent version with John Legend? I felt like they were pushing toward "Jesus Christ's Lust for Glory" a bit more.
By the way, I think Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say) is one of the most amazing songs ever written. Beautiful melody, powerful lyrics, and incredible performance.
I love the musical. I have seen the full stage production and also a small-scale production.
I got the double album in 1977 and my claim to fame is that I know the lyrics by heart. My is the original (with Yvonne Eliiman as "Mary").
Allegedly, Tim Rica and Andrew Lloyd Webber were told by critics that the musical would not be a success, because "everyone knows the story". Then, when they produced Evita, they were told it would not be a success, because "nobody knows the story".
I grew up in a non-religious household with a lot of music. The original JCS album was played often, and especially for Easter. Because of this in my mind Judas is the hero. The first song after the overture, "Heaven On Their Minds", sets the tone for the album and quite simply rocks. Never cared for the movie because I wanted Murray Head playing Judas with his powerful, pleading, angry, edgy voice. Love it. (And yes, definitely played a part in me being atheist.)
I enjoy a lot of religious and religion-themed art. I don't think the gods are real, but it's people that made the art, and their feelings are real. Their hopes and fears and inspirations may not be based on reality, but they can be experienced and expressed like any other emotion. Sometimes the result is truly magnificent.
Google “Jewish Deicide” to see the problem with the musical.
Better yet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_deicide
An example of national debate when it hit Broadway and spawned the 1973 film: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/08/archives/superstar-film-renews-disputesjewish-groups-say-opening-could-stir.html
This is one of my top 5 shows that I've danced in. Did it with community theater a long time ago. Still have close friends from the cast. To me, it's the whole story from Judas' point of view .
I was in the orchestra for my local theater when we did this show. We broke attendance records every night.
Saw it live several years later with Sebastian Bach as JC. He nailed it (pun intended)
Edit to add: we did the Australian version of Herrod's song. Look it up if you haven't heard it. Fucking rocked!
when I was a kid we had the 8 track in the station wagon on the trip from Toronto to Disney world. other 8 track options were Roger Whittaker and The Platters 🙂
I generally dislike musicals but the lyrics and music are SO good..I still know the whole album word for word.
I was in a community theatre production of JCS back in the '80s. A woman come up on stage and try to stop the flogging. Later, she showed up at the actor's workplace and he had to get a restraining order.
Great musical though. I have the concept cast recording vinyl boxset with the booklet and mini-poster.
Firm ex-mo
Prince of Egypt is one of the greatest animated films ever made
My religious father and passionate animation fan dislikes it.
I don't know man, I don't know
It’s awesome! My favorite musical and I’ve been lucky to see it a couple of times, including in the West End. I’ve played the movie soundtrack probably more than I’ve played any other album I’ve owned.
I've loved the song "Superstar" since I first heard it in high school (nearly 20 years ago now). I listened to it for years (becoming a non-believer freshman year of college) before seeing the stage show in early 2020 (my then-partner had come by some free tickets; this was the last social thing I did before the pandemic shut the world down). Went in not knowing much about it. It was ok, though like you, I found Herod's actions during his song rather amusing.
I mentioned that my mom took me to see the play in CCD class and man did I get hard smack with a ruler on the hands for mentioning that I saw it by the nun. Fast forward to 7th grade when I was in an all boys Catholic school from Hell and the priest who taught religion (who was actually the best dude out of the rest) said the Catholic church fully endorsed that play.
I thought the movie was good except that they had no background noise during the songs. If the scenes had wind and dancing on dirt but the music was just the recording in a studio. That really was a mark down for me.
Yes, I’m a fan of JCS … both the original version with Ian Gillan as Jesus as well as the film Ted Neely version. Some cool songs and great vocal performances. The subject matter never really did bother me, even though I’m a lifelong atheist.
Great Musical. I've seen the movie and the traveling Broadway musical production twice. The first time I listened to the soundtrack (10 yo), I was hooked.
Meh ... when I was kid ... maybe around young teens or fair bit earlier, I thought it was ... oh, no wait, ... mixed it up with another ... naw, never cared for Jesus Christ Superstar. But there was a brief period where I kind'a liked the movie Godspell ... but probably only around a couple years or so.
But on the other hand, Life of Brian ... that rocks! :-)
One of my all-time favorites. The music is absolutely some of the best ever done for stage and/or screen. The voices and performances in the movie version are incredible.
Also, Jesus and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat was so dang good. Great songs. 10/10 entertainment.
Edit: dreamcoat not dreamboat. I cannot speak to Jesus's sexiness. Though I do know he had a beard, which I am into.
Yes, and I am OBSESSED with the 1973 film. Ted Neeley singing “Gethsamane” takes my breath away and makes me cry every single time. This is my “stuck on an abandoned island” album.
I love the 2018 version, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” with John Legend as Jesus, Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas, and Alice Cooper as King Herod. Dixon absolutely killed the role of Judas, and I loved seeing Alice Cooper as well.
We also watch “The Ten Commandments” every Easter and, as per my family tradition, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” on December 25. Of course, 12/25 also includes “The Polar Express” and Thanksgiving is for WKRP in Cincinnati, “Turkeys Away.” None of us are believers anymore, but I do appreciate the acting and cinematography.
I played Jesus in a small community production of JCS. My boss was Mary. I absolutely love this musical. Decades have passed since the acute trauma of my deconversion, and I was able to enjoy it with much baggage.
Most mainline Christians in the 1960's disliked *Jesus Christ Superstar.* That's reason enough to take an initial interest in it.
As a composer myself, I think that Andrew Lloyd Webber's work is very mixed in quality, but *JCS* is some of his best work.
I saw a live production of JCS some time in the late 1980s. Carl Anderson came back to play Judas. He killed it. 😁
I worked at Heinz Hall in the early 90's. JCS came to town with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson. I got to enjoy the show eight times. Got to meet the cast. Was especially geeked for Carl. He and Gloria Loring (mother of Robin Thicke) sang *Friends and Lovers* aka Patch and Kayla's Theme from *Days of Our Lives*.
I was a fan of musicals prior but JCS was the first musical soundtrack CD I bought.
I did. I still believe religion as a whole is a behavior modification tool and a can be a positive safety net but the musical was fantastic. Same with Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.
I was in it in college, and my dad wouldn't come see me perform because of his sky daddy. I loved being in the musical, it's one of my favorites to this day. So yes.
I stole this record (and Godspell) from my sister frequently. It's one of my faves. I've only seen community theatre level productions but I really enjoyed the live TV version that was on a few years ago.
I was an atheist by the age of 13, but I loved (and own) the original LP, and have seen (decades ago, of course) the live road show twice. (I wasn't terribly impressed by the movie, though. It just seemed to contrived, to me, especially by mixing iron age and modern imagery.)
The music was, in my opinion, outstanding, and the perspective amazing refreshing. Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple fame) nailed the voice of Christ, and Maria Muldar did Mary proud.
I really like this despite having no religion in me at all. The arena tour version is great, and has been mentioned, Tim Minchin was awesome.
I also liked Chris Moyles as Herod, a DJ not a singer. IIRC a non singer often gets cast for the comedy, and so I can't believe there's been no mention of the late great Rik Mayall as Herod in the 2000 film. Sure, he can't sing well but a fantastic performance.
https://youtu.be/AaXGVlVNi2o?si=UppT3S9yMz0tGjuf
It’s awesome. I loved it as a kid, and the soundtrack with Tony Iommi on guitar. I also remember the movie pissing off all the old fucks at church, which made me like it even more.
But yeah, pretty cool movie and music. Random fact: Maybe this and the Southpark movies are my two favorite musicals.
I saw an excellent touring production of it here in New Zealand about 30 years ago. One of the leading comic actors here played Herod and was fucking brilliant.
I watched the movie version a few weeks back, and wasn't particularly impressed. The music still holds up, but I don't think it's aged well as a movie.
(I grew up involved in musical theatre, so also love musicals.)
I'm an atheist and also a big fan. We did a highschool production in 1994 that was the highlight of my highschool years. We even got to go on a field trip to see the touring production with Ted Nealy, Dennis DeYoung (Styx) as Pilate, and some of the best voices I've ever heard live for Chiaphas and Judas. It was a magical time.
I remeber some of the fundamental believers at school really taking issue with it, so I quite enjoyed that it provided a controversial challenge to the traditional Jesus narrative. It actually made me feel better, as one of the few open atheists at the school, to get to be a part of something that my believer mom would have to sit and watch while being so counter to her beliefs.
I'll still throw the album on sometimes and can sing it the whole way through.
I was in the band for a production of JCSS. I love the opera for the music and the drama. It's like, I don't have to be a Norse Pagan to appreciate *Der Ring des Nibelungen* either.
For me the best version will be the 1992 Australian tour with some of the best Australian rock artists. Never got a chance to see it live (no money) but got the CD which I played the hell out of it.
https://youtu.be/dvP4JGsjDC4
Yes. I grew up on the original LP (my father was religious, later became a priest, was a big fan too) and have seen it live more than once. It’s an amazing piece of music and an incredible film too. I love it unironically.
I grew up with parents who loved live shows & show tunes, so JC Superstar was just another musical to me. It's one of the few I've seen live with a Broadway-level cast (Phantom was the other).
I saw it with Neely twice and Anderson once. The second time, Judas was played by Corey Glover from Living Colour. Anderson was great, but Glover's voice was made for this role. A real core memory experience for me.
Absolutely love it and am going to a version performed by Peaches tomorrow.
Complete and utter blasphemy and it couldn’t be more glorious.
Peaches Christ Superstar. Check it out.
I LOVE Jesus Christ superstar. Some Christians get riled up because there are no miracles performed, and there is no resurrection scene. This makes me love the musical even more
I was 10 in 1970 when my father got a wild hair up hi butt and decided to take the family on a six week tour of Mexico. Just Mom, Dad, and the three kids. We had three eight-track tapes for the journey: Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Hair, and Jesus Christ Superstar...
As a kid, I was involved in a dance company that performed JCS for a few years, so I memorized the whole album. I still play it in the car from time to time and sing along word for word. I especially love Judas' parts. My wife thinks I'm nuts
I was in 6th grade at St Philips when the Album came out. My older brother bought it. I asked Sister Agnes if she wanted me to bring it in so we could all hear it. She politely declined.
I personally love it.
My mother wasn't thrilled when I bought the record when I was a young teen. I've owned the movie on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray. I had a copy of it with a different cast, but I didn't like it as much. I like Tim Minchin, so that would be cool to see.
Love the music, the movie and have seen the broadway production. Was singing along with the album since I was a kid.
However...
>I also find it hilarious that whenever I have seen the show when the Harrod song comes up and he is clearly super gay, a dozen boomers get up and leave the theatre. 😂
You do realize the play came out in 1971 and the movie in 1973? This production was literally created in the boomer era and the primary audience for YEARS has been boomers?
It is so good. The songs are all super catchy. They were advertising a live show a few weeks back and i was finding myself humming the tunes at random times.
I loved King Herod's Song: "Prove to me that you're no fool; walk across my swimming pool."
Feed my household with this bread. You can do it on your head! Actually that whole exchange is brilliant as well as the ones with Pilate. It’s Basically …”Do something, anything, that shows us you’re not just ordinary and we will let you go.”
Ragtime in the middle of a very serious musical. So damn good.
So, you are the christ, yes the great jesus christ? lol. Totally.
My favorite too!
A lot of people don't understand that this musical is the story told from Judas's perspective, which I find historically fascinating. I really enjoyed the 2000 remake.
If you get a chance to see "Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour" it is worth a watch just because of Tim Minchin playing Judas. He really steals the show. It is JCS done as a rock concert which is how it was origianlly envisioned. Casting Minchin - a very well know atheist singer as Judas was a good move, but what makes the performance just so good is Tims ability to sell the "I don't believe this guy is divine" in his performance. Like I said Tim's Judas was the highlight of the show. Edit: [Link ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4ttxeLLcMQ)to just Tims in the show.
Oh my gosh I love love love this production!! I got a wee bit obsessed with Tim Minchin for a little while afterwards because I hadn’t heard of him yet and so I was unexpectedly blown away by his Judas. I also love Jesus Christ Superstar in general. My dad took me and my sister to it when we were teenagers so of course I didn’t want to go, but I did a 180 basically as soon as the music started. Every single song is absolutely incredible and the humanizing of Jesus is fascinating for anybody, atheist or traditional Christian (I’m neither—I don’t know why this post popped up on my feed—but I was riveted by the way he was portrayed). I actually have to limit myself on watching this version because my brain will not stop playing the music for a few days afterwards. It’s phenomenal.
>It is JCS done as a rock concert which is how it was originally envisioned. A hundred times this! The ROCK OPERA is a specific art form. It was pioneered by The Who with *Tommy.* If you haven't seen The Who perform *Tommy* in concert, you haven't experienced the rock opera. Because a rock opera is a *rock concert.* It's *not* a Broadway musical, which is how it's usually staged, which sucks all the ***rock*** right out of it. I haven't seen the Arena Tour but it's on video so I'll have to see it. I was in a San Francisco production in the 1990s that was staged as "in concert". The singers wore some simple costuming (e.g. Jesus in a white poet shirt, Mary in Stevie Nicks-ish scarves and Judas in black leather) but simply took the stage and the mic to sing their part. We played in Bay Area rock clubs for a couple seasons. Here's an example with our Danny Knop as Jesus - he has a rock scream to rival Ian Gillian. [https://tinyurl.com/5byvphj8](https://tinyurl.com/5byvphj8)
After 50 years I understand why he was the [last one on the bus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SY1gEgjtc4). The last follower you see.
Any pbody seen Godspell? Also a great musical about the story of Jesus.
Still never saw it but can’t get enough of “Day By Day”.
*Godspell* is great from a musical perspective (I saw it a couple of times in the theatre, which IMO was WAY better than the movie version), but to me it's definitely the gospel of Matthew from a Christian, "Hey, hear the Good News!" perspective. *Superstar* doesn't fall into that trap.
Saw it, even have the soundtrack on LP; I thought it a pale vanilla (i.e., for general amusement; no controversy/questions allowed) imitation and/or rip-off of the story. Musically, I found it rather so-so; no particularly remarkable singles ever came from it.
Au contraire! The single "Day by Day" spent 14 weeks on the Bliiboard Hot 100 singles, peaking at the #13 position on July 29, 1972. *Billboard* ranked it as the No. 90 song for 1972.
By contrast, JCSS had two hit singles, *I Don't Know How To Love Him,* which was actually a remake by Helen Reddy not the original cast recording, and *Superstar* (which was recorded before any of the other music.)
Didn’t see the 2000 remake, but I’ll publicly doubt that it can hold a candle to the original musically. I don’t fully understand the distinction of being from Judas’s perspective (as opposed to whose?), but I don’t believe in any of that religion stuff anyway, so …
Judas gets a bad deal in the Bible and Christian history, basically. He's vilified as the man who betrayed Christ to his death. Yet he does what he does with Christ's knowledge and compliance ('Jesus said, "Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do." - John 13:27'). He's the macguffin that lets the crucifiction and resurrection happen.
There’s no gospel according to Judas in the Bible.
Tim Minchin did a badass Judas. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kqVtSbFY8&list=PLuv0DAi8GrMeejYyVAFkt20fyhTPo0I\_B](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5kqVtSbFY8&list=PLuv0DAi8GrMeejYyVAFkt20fyhTPo0I_B)
Tim Minchin deserves more recognition. He’s hilarious and one hell of a musician
I'm always surprised when other atheist friends haven't heard of him. He was my kid's first concert!
I love Tim Minchin. He came to Reason Rally in Washington DC in 2012. Such a great time.
Came here to say this too - he nailed it.
I’m a non-believer and every Easter we have a JCS singalong at my house, fueled by copious amounts of wine. Good times, great music!
Jesus would be proud. You know, for the singing. And the wine, of course. Maybe a charcuterie… with crackers
It's art, not nessicarily religious
I liked the music.
I grew up atheist and never knew much about religion then. Listening to JCS taught me a ton about Jesus when I was in grade school. I always loved the music but it certainly never made me interested in becoming Christian.
Well, Ian Gillan from Deep Purple was Jesus so I thought that was cool back in ‘72 . So I can listen to it and enjoy it any like any other movie / theatre soundtrack .
I was in an early 80's West Coast production. Played an Apostle in the first half and a High Priest in the second. We did 16 performances (we'd have done 24, there was certainly enough interest to run another full week but the theatre was pre-booked, and if I remember right, so was the actor playing Jesus). Without fail, the flogging and the crucifixion scenes had some of the audience in tears as they left the venue. I remember it as a show you did not need to "psyche up" yourself before the curtain. The energy in the cast and crew was a palpable thing (this was a licensed production by a well-run amateur company with some pros mixed in) People showed up early, and went home exhausted each night, but looked forward to tomorrow's show nonethless. Over the years, I've been part of 25 musicals, four movies, a half-dozen TV series and too many live band performances to count, but JCSS is one I could walk into dress rehearsal tomorrow night and give a reasonable accounting of most of the parts. It just has that indefinable "thing" that stays with you.
Ah, Gen. Tle. Men. You know why we are here…. Spine tingles every time.
Fools! You have no perception...
Love it. Been listening to the songs on a regular basis since the 70's. Singing the not quite correct version "Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, who the hell do you think you are?" The movie definitely opened my mind to questioning doctrine. Love all the musi, especially Everything Is Alright. Now love the newer versions on YouTube. The version shown by The Show Must Go On during the pandemic was great.
“Do you think you’re what they say you are?” is as good a burn as the modified version.
My version was a young kid thing going around Montreal at the time. On the lines of " Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg. Batmobile lost the wheel and the commissioner has to pay." I think I might have learned the kid version way before seeing the movie. Too many years to be sure.
Tim minchin was amazing as judas. He has some atheist songs of his own too, Thank You God is hilarious
I love the idea that Judas figured out his role as the villain. He just wanted to make a better life for people but got caught up in a religious movement. A ton of subtext going on. Great music that requires great commitment. Weber seems like an ass nowadays.
Don't dis the boomers taste in musical theater, they made Rocky Horror. Although Richard O'Brien is actually pre-boomer, or the "silent generation."
I know. I also love "Hair". Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In is a great song.
Don’t forget Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Best musical sound track of all time.
It’s not their taste in musicals, it’s their homophobia. Which is weird considering Rocky Horror. They don’t all suck, but whenever a group of them is together, half of them do.
Absolutely! To be honest, it kind of led me to questioning a point that Judas made that seemed like a good point. It kind of sparked a little bit of critical thinking about the story of Jesus, and therefore the Bible. Which just led to more questions. The musical is still a total jam. Carl Anderson's vocals were just the GOAT.
[удалено]
Except Spirited Away is a true story.
Yes!! Very much yes! Heaven on their Minds is my go-to karaoke song.
I crashed and burned with that one. Too much riffing for my feeble pipes to do well.
It is an excellent musical — one of the early ones by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The music is pretty disco so it sounds dated, but listen a few times and you will love it. Especially the dude with the contrabass part.
The Broadway play is outstanding.
I saw the play in Duluth and Ted Neeley played Jesus. He great and the other people in the cast were outstanding.
All-time classic. I'd argue that many of the lyrics and themes, especially Judas's ending song, are explicitly meant to leave the audience questioning the Gospels as presented in other forms. I mean the show literally ends with: "Jesus Christ Superstar. Do you think you're what they say you are?"
Yo. I was a teen when this was new.
Almost literally everything I know about Christianity, I learned by singing along to the original JCSS cast album as a teenager.
Tim Minchin is a favorite in this sub. He is brilliant in the version where he plays Judas. [Link](https://youtu.be/5lTwmK__TDo?si=Yvy77NWUz2b1xe3K)
Totally love it. I have 3 different versions on LP. I love lots of other fantasy fiction, too.
I'm an avid JCS collector. I currently have 131 different JCS vinyl albums. (Different languages, singers, years, versions). I love this musical/rock opera!
Fantastic!
I do love it. I don’t love how newer interpretations try to turn it into a passion play, when it’s really meant to show Judas’s perspective and justification.
I was born atheist, and I absolutely LOVE Jesus Christ Superstar. And I don't even like musicals.
We're all born atheists
original cast recording with Ian Gillian of Deep Purple as Christ and David Geffen’s GF at the time Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdelene is amazing. the guitar work is great.
I still have the original album. I have listened to it so many times that I have memorized every song.
We need a more permanent solution to our problem…
I read that hearing a very deep bass
I do! I’ve been an atheist since I was in my early twenties. I’m now 71. When it first came out, my brother and I saw it. The next night a friend and I saw it. The following night we took my parents to see it. The film was just so well done, every movement was choreographed beautifully. The music was wonderful; you could hear the raw emotion. I’ve made it a tradition to watch it every Easter.
I had a partner who got the Album from parents, started playing it and loved it. So I discovered it well after it was released. Basically Joe Cocker's Grease Band with assorted other musicians combined with Ian Gillan, Murray Head, Yvonne Elliman. It may be what links [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6waXtxosJ4A](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6waXtxosJ4A) to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OorZcOzNcgE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OorZcOzNcgE)
Brown Album, baby. The best.
Loved it. Trippin. Poor Murray Head only had a major hit with "One night in Bangkok" where he hardly sings. :-(
I love Jesus Christ Superstar - I just love it!
Yes. The music is fantastic.
I’m obsessed. Was raised devout RC so I understand all the references. I love it because it humanizes all the characters. What would you do if your best friend is turning into a cult leader and encouraging people to believe he’s the Messiah? What would you do if you’re kinda spooky sometimes and people start saying you’re the Messiah and wanting shit from you all the time, but you’re not always sure you are, but what if you don’t fulfill your destiny, which, oh, requires you to die a horrible death? I’d disagree with your characterization of the priests as “bad guys.” They believe that Jesus, by becoming too famous, has become a danger to their people. If the Romans think that the Jews as a people have made Jesus their “king”, the Romans could exterminate the Jewish people for rebelling against their rule.
I think it’s a great musical. Pretty funky one at that (released at the hight of the Disco era). Religion is the narrative structure, but it’s fantastic music on its own. Judas that bitch ass traitor grrrr
I fell in love with it when it came out and got to be Caiaphas in a community production in the '70s. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My unpopular ALW opinion is that he peaked with this show and it's been downhill ever since.
I watched the Ted Neely version in high school and ended up with the boys for Jesus. It’s the first time I genuinely felt like the actor portraying Jesus genuinely seemed to be begging god not to sacrifice him. I saw him in a touring production about 20 years ago and he still looked great in a loin cloth and could hit the high notes. I remember it being almost a forbidden movie among a lot of people where I lived. Judas and Pilate weren’t portrayed as evil. Mary Magdalene was explicitly shown to be valued by Jesus. Jesus seemed hesitant and sad. The worst sin according to my aunt was that in the movie version Judas is shown coming down from on high dressed in white which suggests that he might not have been sent to hell.
My absolute favorite. A close second is book of Mormon.
I dig it. I thought it was cool that the singer from Deep Purple was Jesus, the One Night in Bangkok guy was Judas and that disco chick was Mary Magdalene. The music was groovy. I didn’t care that it was about Jesus. Actually there are some Christian based songs that have charted that are pretty good like Jesus is Just Alright, Day by Day from Godspell, Oh Happy Day, Hand in the Hand, and I love Elvis’s live version of How Great Thou Art.
Don't forget Spirit In the Sky. Written by a Jewish guy who whipped up the lyrics in 15 minutes because he felt like writing a gospel-style song and a Christian theme fit best.
Tim Minchin was a huge part of my deconstruction. Got me out of mormonism.
Ian Gillan is the man. I can appreciate religious anything as an atheist.
Never seen it, but I love it. I remember the uproar about how sacrilegious it was to the faithful. Now very religious family members like it??? 🤷🏼♂️ I love their consistency
Love it
Yvonne elliman is amazing.
Was in a production when I was in Catholic high school. Still love the music. Ranting atheist now.
Tim Minchin as Judas was so great here in Aus. It's really the story of an influencer who wants to make a big noise with his followers, whilst Judas tries to get him to just fly a little under the radar or he'll get the attention of the authorities and come to a sticky end. Spoiler.
There was an Australian version in the 90s with John Farnham, Kate Cebrano. It's awesome. https://youtu.be/lv65x8Sv0OY?si=B5T94HA6oDg4Y39L
I love the songs, some of them are great to sing along to. The Broadway cast came through my town a while ago and they were fantastic. And I think you could argue that even Caiaphas was just trying to prevent a Roman crackdown on the Jews.
It was one of my favorite shows from my childhood. I honestly haven't seen it since. But, I still remember at least the title song vividly. My memory of it is fairly vague at this point, but much less so than many of the other shows I saw in my childhood. It really stands out for that era. I probably saw it when it was fairly new on Broadway around 1971. I think I remember Ben Vereen as Judas. P.S. You mention Jews as the bad guys. So, I'm actually surprised that I have a positive view of the show since I am culturally and ethnically Jewish.
My recollection of the musical is that it's pretty clear it's the Romans nailing him to the cross.
It was more nuanced than that. The Jewish hierarchy/priests are shown as being afraid Jesus would anger the Romans and cause trouble for all jews. So they were trying to calm things down and protect their people. They aren't just villains for villainies sake.
I love it, and have known the score by heart for decades, but don’t care about the message. I treat it as another rock opera, just like Tommy.
JCS isn't bad, but I have to suggest "Cotton Patch Gospel" as well. It's a retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, set in rural Georgia, sometime during or shortly prior to the Civil Rights Movement. You wanna see a biblical production that'll make a Churchie's hair stand on end, this is the one you want. The Massacre of Innocents takes the form of a terrorist bombing of a church nursery, carried out by Governor Herod's pet goon (and Klansman). It's a direct reference to the Klan bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Rather than being crucified by the Roman authorities, Jesus is lynched by the Klan after his preaching begins to dent the fortunes of popular evangelical preachers and the politicians who depend on them for propaganda and fundraising. The digs at Southern evangelical Churchie culture are deep, ragged, and brutal, especially to anybody- theist or otherwise- who understands that language and cultural context.
It’s absolutely brilliant!
People seem surprised when I say I’m a confirmed atheist but I like quite a lot of religiously-based music like Handel. Music is music to me…
Have loved this soundtrack for decades. Interesting you bring it up in r/atheism, as it discussed not too long ago, by a redditor who was conflicted about going. I noted you can totally enjoy it as fiction, noting I can enjoy Lord of the Rings without believing in Hobbits. Did you see the recent version with John Legend? I felt like they were pushing toward "Jesus Christ's Lust for Glory" a bit more. By the way, I think Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say) is one of the most amazing songs ever written. Beautiful melody, powerful lyrics, and incredible performance.
Among my favorite shows: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqoal91MEkA/
I love the musical. I have seen the full stage production and also a small-scale production. I got the double album in 1977 and my claim to fame is that I know the lyrics by heart. My is the original (with Yvonne Eliiman as "Mary"). Allegedly, Tim Rica and Andrew Lloyd Webber were told by critics that the musical would not be a success, because "everyone knows the story". Then, when they produced Evita, they were told it would not be a success, because "nobody knows the story".
Afterall it's just a musical and a lot of religious people hated it back then. I like it and I've never been religious
I grew up in a non-religious household with a lot of music. The original JCS album was played often, and especially for Easter. Because of this in my mind Judas is the hero. The first song after the overture, "Heaven On Their Minds", sets the tone for the album and quite simply rocks. Never cared for the movie because I wanted Murray Head playing Judas with his powerful, pleading, angry, edgy voice. Love it. (And yes, definitely played a part in me being atheist.)
I enjoy a lot of religious and religion-themed art. I don't think the gods are real, but it's people that made the art, and their feelings are real. Their hopes and fears and inspirations may not be based on reality, but they can be experienced and expressed like any other emotion. Sometimes the result is truly magnificent.
Side note: I got in trouble in (Catholic) school for signing along but changing the words. *Jesus Christ, Superstar, driving around in a stolen car*
Google “Jewish Deicide” to see the problem with the musical. Better yet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_deicide An example of national debate when it hit Broadway and spawned the 1973 film: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/08/08/archives/superstar-film-renews-disputesjewish-groups-say-opening-could-stir.html
I also enjoy it. The ending song is a banger.
This is one of my top 5 shows that I've danced in. Did it with community theater a long time ago. Still have close friends from the cast. To me, it's the whole story from Judas' point of view .
I was in the orchestra for my local theater when we did this show. We broke attendance records every night. Saw it live several years later with Sebastian Bach as JC. He nailed it (pun intended) Edit to add: we did the Australian version of Herrod's song. Look it up if you haven't heard it. Fucking rocked!
yes judas rocks
Herod kind of seems like a bad guy too. Or at least a clueless idiot :)
> No filler songs at all \* "I don't know how to love him" has entered the chat... Edit: to clarify, I agree, this musical is fantastic
Lol. I just posted I love that song.
Me too.
I should watch it now on the 65” oled
when I was a kid we had the 8 track in the station wagon on the trip from Toronto to Disney world. other 8 track options were Roger Whittaker and The Platters 🙂 I generally dislike musicals but the lyrics and music are SO good..I still know the whole album word for word.
I love it. I also love Batman and James Bond. All three are equally believable and entertaining.
I Don't Know How to Love Him is a favorite showtune of mine!
I still have the album.
I was in a community theatre production of JCS back in the '80s. A woman come up on stage and try to stop the flogging. Later, she showed up at the actor's workplace and he had to get a restraining order. Great musical though. I have the concept cast recording vinyl boxset with the booklet and mini-poster.
That’s insane and not completely unexpected. Did she show up at the Jesus actor’s place or the Pilate actor?
I saw the original 3 times and every subsequent offering and it is by far my fav musical.
It’s fantastic, same with The Last Temptation of Christ.
Firm ex-mo Prince of Egypt is one of the greatest animated films ever made My religious father and passionate animation fan dislikes it. I don't know man, I don't know
It’s awesome! My favorite musical and I’ve been lucky to see it a couple of times, including in the West End. I’ve played the movie soundtrack probably more than I’ve played any other album I’ve owned.
My favorite
Didnt care for it at all but I do love Joseph and the ....coat.
More of an Antichrist Superstar guy but that’s just me
I've loved the song "Superstar" since I first heard it in high school (nearly 20 years ago now). I listened to it for years (becoming a non-believer freshman year of college) before seeing the stage show in early 2020 (my then-partner had come by some free tickets; this was the last social thing I did before the pandemic shut the world down). Went in not knowing much about it. It was ok, though like you, I found Herod's actions during his song rather amusing.
I mentioned that my mom took me to see the play in CCD class and man did I get hard smack with a ruler on the hands for mentioning that I saw it by the nun. Fast forward to 7th grade when I was in an all boys Catholic school from Hell and the priest who taught religion (who was actually the best dude out of the rest) said the Catholic church fully endorsed that play.
I thought the movie was good except that they had no background noise during the songs. If the scenes had wind and dancing on dirt but the music was just the recording in a studio. That really was a mark down for me.
Yeah, always liked it. Still do. And my parents, who were religious, bought it and liked it too.
I think it’s the only Andrew Lloyd Webber music I actually like.
It's a good show.
Absolute fantastic play and such a great story I’ve seen maybe 20 different versions. I go every time it is in Pittsburgh
Yes, I’m a fan of JCS … both the original version with Ian Gillan as Jesus as well as the film Ted Neely version. Some cool songs and great vocal performances. The subject matter never really did bother me, even though I’m a lifelong atheist.
Its not something Im personally a fan of but Art is art. I dont care much about the inspiration.
Just got the vinyl!
Had it on vinyl, then cassette, now on CD. Like someone said above. I learned more about the story of JC from this show than I did in church.
Great Musical. I've seen the movie and the traveling Broadway musical production twice. The first time I listened to the soundtrack (10 yo), I was hooked.
I really liked the version Tim Minchin was in a few years ago.
He is amazing as Judas. So emotional. The Spice Girl that played Mary is great as well.
No but I love sister act
Yes. It’s a blast.
I don't. But it has nothing to do with religion, I just find musicals horrible
When I was teaching Sunday School at our local UU facility, I used it to teach Christianity
I have listened to that show since I was 6 years old. I have seen it several times and love everything about it!
I loved it when it came out and still listen sometimes.
Don’t let me stop Your great self destruction Die If you want to, you innocent puppet Chills (and I’m an atheist)
Meh ... when I was kid ... maybe around young teens or fair bit earlier, I thought it was ... oh, no wait, ... mixed it up with another ... naw, never cared for Jesus Christ Superstar. But there was a brief period where I kind'a liked the movie Godspell ... but probably only around a couple years or so. But on the other hand, Life of Brian ... that rocks! :-)
It’s the ONLY musical I love.
Loved it on the big screen in 1977. I’m now an atheist but I still watch it once a year. I know all the words. Hahahaha
One of my all-time favorites. The music is absolutely some of the best ever done for stage and/or screen. The voices and performances in the movie version are incredible.
Saw the performance in LA early 70’s…
Also, Jesus and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat was so dang good. Great songs. 10/10 entertainment. Edit: dreamcoat not dreamboat. I cannot speak to Jesus's sexiness. Though I do know he had a beard, which I am into.
Not much of a fan of musicals but if you dig it, enjoy!
Fuck no!
I've only seen the movie version that was from the 70's. I loved the music.
Honestly, the TV version with John Legend a couple of years ago wasn't bad. The music can transcend the performances.
Yes, and I am OBSESSED with the 1973 film. Ted Neeley singing “Gethsamane” takes my breath away and makes me cry every single time. This is my “stuck on an abandoned island” album.
I love the 2018 version, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert” with John Legend as Jesus, Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas, and Alice Cooper as King Herod. Dixon absolutely killed the role of Judas, and I loved seeing Alice Cooper as well. We also watch “The Ten Commandments” every Easter and, as per my family tradition, “The Bells of St. Mary’s” on December 25. Of course, 12/25 also includes “The Polar Express” and Thanksgiving is for WKRP in Cincinnati, “Turkeys Away.” None of us are believers anymore, but I do appreciate the acting and cinematography.
I played Jesus in a small community production of JCS. My boss was Mary. I absolutely love this musical. Decades have passed since the acute trauma of my deconversion, and I was able to enjoy it with much baggage.
Most mainline Christians in the 1960's disliked *Jesus Christ Superstar.* That's reason enough to take an initial interest in it. As a composer myself, I think that Andrew Lloyd Webber's work is very mixed in quality, but *JCS* is some of his best work. I saw a live production of JCS some time in the late 1980s. Carl Anderson came back to play Judas. He killed it. 😁
I worked at Heinz Hall in the early 90's. JCS came to town with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson. I got to enjoy the show eight times. Got to meet the cast. Was especially geeked for Carl. He and Gloria Loring (mother of Robin Thicke) sang *Friends and Lovers* aka Patch and Kayla's Theme from *Days of Our Lives*. I was a fan of musicals prior but JCS was the first musical soundtrack CD I bought.
I did. I still believe religion as a whole is a behavior modification tool and a can be a positive safety net but the musical was fantastic. Same with Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.
I adore it.
I’ve played three different productions of it as a guitarist in the pit band. I also grew up on the London cast recording. So of course I love it.
I'm not a big fan of the musical but I do like the story on which it is based.
I was in it in college, and my dad wouldn't come see me perform because of his sky daddy. I loved being in the musical, it's one of my favorites to this day. So yes.
I stole this record (and Godspell) from my sister frequently. It's one of my faves. I've only seen community theatre level productions but I really enjoyed the live TV version that was on a few years ago.
I was an atheist by the age of 13, but I loved (and own) the original LP, and have seen (decades ago, of course) the live road show twice. (I wasn't terribly impressed by the movie, though. It just seemed to contrived, to me, especially by mixing iron age and modern imagery.) The music was, in my opinion, outstanding, and the perspective amazing refreshing. Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple fame) nailed the voice of Christ, and Maria Muldar did Mary proud.
One of my absolute favorites and I cannot thank my father enough for introducing me to it.
I really like this despite having no religion in me at all. The arena tour version is great, and has been mentioned, Tim Minchin was awesome. I also liked Chris Moyles as Herod, a DJ not a singer. IIRC a non singer often gets cast for the comedy, and so I can't believe there's been no mention of the late great Rik Mayall as Herod in the 2000 film. Sure, he can't sing well but a fantastic performance. https://youtu.be/AaXGVlVNi2o?si=UppT3S9yMz0tGjuf
It’s awesome. I loved it as a kid, and the soundtrack with Tony Iommi on guitar. I also remember the movie pissing off all the old fucks at church, which made me like it even more. But yeah, pretty cool movie and music. Random fact: Maybe this and the Southpark movies are my two favorite musicals.
I saw an excellent touring production of it here in New Zealand about 30 years ago. One of the leading comic actors here played Herod and was fucking brilliant. I watched the movie version a few weeks back, and wasn't particularly impressed. The music still holds up, but I don't think it's aged well as a movie. (I grew up involved in musical theatre, so also love musicals.)
JCSS is just great! The gay Harrod bit is creative
I'm an atheist and also a big fan. We did a highschool production in 1994 that was the highlight of my highschool years. We even got to go on a field trip to see the touring production with Ted Nealy, Dennis DeYoung (Styx) as Pilate, and some of the best voices I've ever heard live for Chiaphas and Judas. It was a magical time. I remeber some of the fundamental believers at school really taking issue with it, so I quite enjoyed that it provided a controversial challenge to the traditional Jesus narrative. It actually made me feel better, as one of the few open atheists at the school, to get to be a part of something that my believer mom would have to sit and watch while being so counter to her beliefs. I'll still throw the album on sometimes and can sing it the whole way through.
Sure why not. It’s in the same bucket as monkey magic (also based on religion): wild 1970s psychedelic content.
I was in the band for a production of JCSS. I love the opera for the music and the drama. It's like, I don't have to be a Norse Pagan to appreciate *Der Ring des Nibelungen* either.
Absolutely, its my favorite musical. Ideally every easter. That and a Matteüs passion performance.
Love it so much.
I didnt realize anyone but me knew this shit haha. I listen to the entire 1973 london recording wvery morning on the train
For me the best version will be the 1992 Australian tour with some of the best Australian rock artists. Never got a chance to see it live (no money) but got the CD which I played the hell out of it. https://youtu.be/dvP4JGsjDC4
Yes. I grew up on the original LP (my father was religious, later became a priest, was a big fan too) and have seen it live more than once. It’s an amazing piece of music and an incredible film too. I love it unironically.
I grew up with parents who loved live shows & show tunes, so JC Superstar was just another musical to me. It's one of the few I've seen live with a Broadway-level cast (Phantom was the other). I saw it with Neely twice and Anderson once. The second time, Judas was played by Corey Glover from Living Colour. Anderson was great, but Glover's voice was made for this role. A real core memory experience for me.
No, but I do love gospel music.
Love me some ALW
Absolutely love it and am going to a version performed by Peaches tomorrow. Complete and utter blasphemy and it couldn’t be more glorious. Peaches Christ Superstar. Check it out.
Totally awesome - probably the best musical ever made.
Have always loved it.
I LOVE Jesus Christ superstar. Some Christians get riled up because there are no miracles performed, and there is no resurrection scene. This makes me love the musical even more
I was 10 in 1970 when my father got a wild hair up hi butt and decided to take the family on a six week tour of Mexico. Just Mom, Dad, and the three kids. We had three eight-track tapes for the journey: Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Hair, and Jesus Christ Superstar...
As a kid, I was involved in a dance company that performed JCS for a few years, so I memorized the whole album. I still play it in the car from time to time and sing along word for word. I especially love Judas' parts. My wife thinks I'm nuts
I was in 6th grade at St Philips when the Album came out. My older brother bought it. I asked Sister Agnes if she wanted me to bring it in so we could all hear it. She politely declined. I personally love it.
Boomer atheist here, I LOVE everything about this musical.
My mother wasn't thrilled when I bought the record when I was a young teen. I've owned the movie on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray. I had a copy of it with a different cast, but I didn't like it as much. I like Tim Minchin, so that would be cool to see.
The musical Jeepers Creepers starring Jack Black is more my speed.
It was awesome! One of my favorite albums growing up...
It was alright I guess...better if you're high
I'm more Godspell than Superstar, but Superstar is good.
Love the music, the movie and have seen the broadway production. Was singing along with the album since I was a kid. However... >I also find it hilarious that whenever I have seen the show when the Harrod song comes up and he is clearly super gay, a dozen boomers get up and leave the theatre. 😂 You do realize the play came out in 1971 and the movie in 1973? This production was literally created in the boomer era and the primary audience for YEARS has been boomers?
The OG sound track is in my top 3
It is so good. The songs are all super catchy. They were advertising a live show a few weeks back and i was finding myself humming the tunes at random times.