Jesus Christ Superstar

[jaso_n]

Posted: 7/29/05 at 3:01pm

I'd love to try to put an all-Black production of Jesus Christ Superstar in college. Do you guys have any ideas or insight into how I could pull this off. Does JCS have a lot of elaborate sets and costumes? Is it more dance or song driven? How long do you think it would take for a cast to learn the show (3 or 4 months?)

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 12:51am

Oh, goody, this should be interesting. I've never heard of any all-black productions of JCS. In any case, elaborate sets and costumes are possible, but they have made many a production tank before, so try not to over-emphasize these. It is more song driven in the recent productions, but don't be skimpy with the dances if they have talent (the only characters that really shouldn't dance are Mary, Jesus, and Judas -- the rest, with some notable exceptions, are pretty much open to interpretation). As for learning the show, intense rehearsals based on the show and your concept for it can happen at any point from six weeks to eight weeks, but if you want your production to be popular, do it quicker.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 11:52am

I'm in a production of this right now and I think you could easily pull it off......with hard work, but still, it's not impossible at all.

We have dancing in Simon Zealous, Herod, Superstar and also some in the overture. Let us know how it goes!

[jaso_n]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 12:38pm

Thanks you guys. I was worried if anybody was going to respond! Well, here's the thing: I've never seen the show before. I mean, I know a lot about it but I've seen a production of it. I would like to put it on with an all-Black cast because well, Black folk love Jesus (lol), there have been many revivals of this show but never one with an all Black cast (or Black Jesus for that matter), it seems like a layered, interesting show and I think that with the help of a good music director we could add gospel inflections into the Rock/Opera mold they have.

I just need to know a few things before I go and pitch this idea. I mean, if it has a huge set and elaborate costumes, well, that costs money. And I don't know how many people would be interested in putting up a lot of money to produce a production of this play plus with the black cast (because let's get real... an all-Black cast might not have a lot of crossover appeal). Would a good ballpark figure be 10k? I mean, if I could get some folks to volunteer or work for a small fee to help with the dancing, singing, acting, and blocking things off on stage. I'm just saying.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 1:07pm

If you've not seen any productions so far, that's good. You won't be doing this with any preconceived notions. Don't attend any until yours is done. I actively encourage this. It may lead to better ideas in your case.

From what I heard, according to articles in the 70's, an all-black version was planned. No clue what happened to that, but it never did, or we would have heard of it. It is a very layered, interesting show, and there is some potential for gospel-isms, particularly in the chorus parts of "Simon Zealotes." Coordinate your chorus right and the next gospel choir is made.

If I were you, I would not go with a huge set and elaborate costumes. Productions with similar predilections have flopped. The original Broadway production of JCS lasted only twenty months, partly (in my opinion) due to the big-budget clunkery. It works well as a concert piece, too. Perhaps a smaller, minimalist production is the way to go. Check with the Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatrical Library, who license the show, as for a good ballpark figure. Fees for licensing alone should tell you.

As for getting people to help, that's good, but you must credit them or they'll be angry.

[Jesus]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 1:51pm

There actually was an "all black" type production of JCS with Billy Porter in the Title Role. The production altered alot of orchastrations and really "souled" everything else. Simon Zealot beared NO resemblance to the original number, and was MUCH better. Billy Porter was amazing. But the most interesting part of the show was the changes made to the orchastrations. Everythings had a kind of tribal undertone, with some numbers having a gosple flare, and others being really reduced, to either just a cool jazz piano, or guitar or whatnot. And where guitars were used in the original score, often times heavy african drums were used. In fact there were times when random drum solos were added, which really worked well. If you want a rather bad recording of some of the numbers pm me and i'll see what i can do.
Updated On: 7/30/05 at 01:51 PM

[jaso_n]

Posted: 7/30/05 at 5:09pm

Was there a video recording made or a cast album? If I staged JCS, I'd try to keep it traditional with only a few subtle changes. Like using an organ instead of a piano effect or something. Just a few little differences that people will be able to recognize if they've seen other productions of it, but will acknowledge difference. I'd even add in a stirring Traditional number (like "The Blood" or "Calvary") to inject a true feeling of soul. Or, even like an ensemble piece of a well-known Rock/Pop ballad ("When Doves Cry," "Stairway to Heaven," "Crying," etc..) I could really make it something good while being reverrent to the original show.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 7/31/05 at 8:58am

Adding numbers is not the best way to go. And if it's not cleared with the licensor, it can get you in serious trouble. Adding traditional numbers or ensemble pieces is not the best idea anyway. We already have good numbers and the ensemble is very prominently featured. You can gibe it flavor without changing the show.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 8/1/05 at 1:44am

I'm doing this show right now!! We're doing it in the round, with very little dancing. Just give you some ideas. If you want to know more about how we're doing it, PM me!