How is Judas' death done onstage? — Page 2

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#26

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/21/06 at 6:49pm

Yeah, Calvin, your director full-on lied to you. To hang oneself in Christ's time was much like what we have today.

broadwayboy, Godspell is the most versatile of all the Jesus musicals. It has been done 1,000 different ways -- from goth Jesus who dies while listening to pop radio to period Jesus who dies on a cross to hippie Jesus who dies on an electric fence, etc. etc. etc.

"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'" -- unknown

#27

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/21/06 at 6:53pm

"ummm... why did the Czech Republic feel the need to kill Judas twice? He's already dead by the time he comes back and sings "Superstar"... "

thats called OverKill

:)

#28

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/21/06 at 7:31pm

Godspell does not depict the life of Jesus. It depicts his teachings. The only "characters" are Jesus, Judas/John the Baptist and the disciples. There is no Herod, Pilate, Mary Magdelene, etc.

#29

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/21/06 at 9:32pm

Thanks, I guess. So Godspell is really open to interp?

#30

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/21/06 at 11:55pm

Very open.

And, I would qualify the above Godspell comment from Jon to say that Godspell is, indeed Jesus' life. Because Jesus' life WAS his teachings. And, Godspell most definitely has a betrayal and crucifixion -- which aren't any kind of a linear teaching, but rather a life story.

And many productions have worked to make some of the ensemble into Herod, Pilate, and Mary. In fact, most productions make the girl who sings "By My Side" the Magdalene chracter (in accordance with the lame historical idea that the adulterous woman was Mary M.).

"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'" -- unknown

#31

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 12:39am

Yeah, touchme, what tipped me off was that the production wasn't exactly trying to be historically accurate otherwise. We were encouraged to leave our jewelry on during the show -- Judas even checked his watch as he was waiting on the priests to show up at the end of Act I.

I didn't quite understand the vision. And I was in the show.

#32

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:38am

thanks touchmeinthemorning, that helped. It's just hard to go for a show that I'm not too farmiliar with concept wise...but this is helping.

#33

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:03am

To help answer the Godspell question. I've also seen it done as Jesus=Teacher and Disciples=Students in a classroom setting, Jesus and his followers as clowns, everyone as street urchins (mismatched clothing, etc.), and as everyone at a crossroads in the desert. Definitely open to interp. but it's a good show in my humble opinion.

#34

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 10:03am

I saw it done where Judas wore a harness, and as they were preparing to hang him, they somehow fastened the back on the noose to the harness and wrapped the loop around his head. He jumped from a high platform, leaned his head into the front of the loop so it looked tight and just swung until the next blackout... it was good.

And if she'll say, "My darling, I'm yours!" I'll throw away my striped tie and my best pressed tweed, all I really need is the girl...

#35

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 10:43am

Re: Godspell.

It's all pretty campy and vaudevillian with the exception of two or three scenes. Every time I've seen it (which has been a bunch)a character who plays John the Baptist/Judas blows a conch shell or something from the aisle, heralding the coming of Christ. He begins to sing "Prepare Ye the Way" and is joined by the cast--some in clown outfits, etc.

Jesus appears in overalls with a Superman shirt and is baptized "Save the People"--from then on its a seires of parables brought to life. Intermission ends with his confrontation witht the pharisees, I believe.

There are a few more parables in Act II with two "serious" songs, the first done by a girl who wants to follow him wherever he goes, the second "On the Willows" during the last supper where he is betrayed by Judas.

The arrest and flogging are suggested. His execution is an electrocution. His body is taken down off the fence and carried up the aisle by his desciples singing a refrain of "Prepare ye the Way.".

#36

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 1:44pm

Hawker - the "conch shell or something" is a Shofar - the hollowed-out ram's horn that is blown in the synagogue to signify the beginnning of the High Holy Days.

#37

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:40pm

nifty

#38

re: How is Judas' death done onstage?

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:34pm

The only production of JCS I've seen, they had Judas wrapping a microphone cord aroudn his neck. I don't like the show at all and the only saving grace in the show was the woman playing Mary, who ended up being my music director for a production of Rocky Horror I was in a couple months later.

"Who says you can't bend over backwards and eat bugs if you want to? I guess the bugs would probably say you can't do that that, but assuming that they are willing and consenting bugs, then there's no problem. Let's wig out eating bugs." -RuPaul

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