JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LA JOLLA

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 12:22pm

Had the chance to catch the show - never saw it before - and didnt really know the music, Totally enjoyed it - thought the production was top notch and the actor that played Judas ( Josh Young) was a total showstopper. What a talent - it really is Judas' show which surprised me - its not called Judas Superstar afterall. Actually thought that was a good thing as the Understudy for Jesus was on when I caught the show - he was servicable.

Production design, direction, costume (hello Rick Owens) lighting - the use of the show being an actual "rock opera' with one song flowing into the next, all very cool

Curious to hear what others think

[Goggles]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 1:58pm

I really want to see this, hopefully soon!
Was the understudy for jesus Jeremy kushiner?

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 2:07pm

I wouldn't be too hard on the Jesus understudy. The success of Ted Neeley notwithstanding, I think the play has always belonged to Judas.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 4:58pm

Too bad you didn't go yesterday. Jeremy Kushnier did Jesus in the matinee and Judas in last night's show!

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 5:01pm

It shouldn't be the "Judas Show." It should be balanced at least, and more Jesus's show. Obviously, the guy you saw playing Jesus wasn't up for the part enough to match the quality of Judas. That's unfortunate, but it's no reflection of how the show is written. That has to do with the cast and production you saw.

Updated On: 11/24/11 at 05:01 PM

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 5:49pm

"It shouldn't be the "Judas Show." It should be balanced at least, and more Jesus's show."

I COMPLETELY disagree. That was never the intention for this show.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 6:14pm

When not too highly conceptualized, it's really a remarkable show. The Neeley tour of the 90s was hideous and the Broadway revival was ok, but WAY over the top. Webber and Rice's work is strong enough to be highly effective without any need for spectacle.

[Boredathome]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 6:46pm

I think the show only works when conceptualized. Presented in it's "authentic" setting (which in itself is a non-existent claim) the allegory is dulled. Just my opinion.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 7:41pm

I saw a production that was more "traditional" or "authentic" in its costuming and minimally staged and it was still the best production I've seen. The story and the score are already a two-layer dichotomy. Adding more conceptual layers just muddies the production and dilutes the story. I think that's why the original recording on its own was so successful.

[Boredathome]

Posted: 11/24/11 at 7:43pm

I agree that the music already creates that second layer, but today it's not nearly as effective as it was then. I believe the show needs more to be *as* resonant today as it was then. A traditional production will still work, but I don't think it packs as much punch anymore.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:28am

The question that the title song begs is, how would today's world react to Jesus Christ? Contemporary productions can address that question and all the baggage it carries with it by setting the show today. Would today's world react any differently from how the world reacted to him back in 33 AD? Some people would undoubtedly believe and follow him. Many would be skeptical, and would refuse to accept him as Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church would surely denounce him; he would pose an enormous threat to their power, their control over their parishioners. What need would there be for a Pope when the Son of God is on earth? Though all mainstream religions would feel threatened, none would be poised to lose as much as the Vatican. Today's religious and political leaders would probably react exactly as Caiaphas and Annas did.

Jesus was an activist, just like the activists in America today. Caiaphas claimed he was saving Israel by turning Jesus over to Pilate, just as today's Christian Coalition claims they are saving America from God's wrath by fighting gay rights, abortion, and the entertainment industry. Like Pat Robertson, Caiaphas is a savvy business man, with an understanding of PR and marketing.

Events in our contemporary world are already like events portrayed in JCS:

* Jesus really was a superstar, for better or worse, enjoying a popularity equaled today only by rock and film stars. He was a celebrity of the highest order.
* The apostles are somewhat like contemporary fans of rock stars, new age philosophers, self-help gurus, and the like. The apostles are what we'd call today "the working poor," uneducated laborers, who want someone to give them The Answers, who want to know why their lives suck.
* The moneylenders are like some businessmen today, looking for any way to make a buck.
* The lepers and sick are like our contemporary homeless people, living on the streets, begging for the most basic human needs, yet being ignored by "polite society."
* The priests have their obvious modern counterparts in the Vatican, the most powerful religious institution on the planet today.
* The Pharisees are today's right-wing pseudo-intellectuals, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and others. They'd have as much to lose as the Vatican from the masses hearing the real teachings of Jesus.
* Even the press is arguably present, with the "press conference" style questions in "The Arrest." Today, Jesus would be a hotter story than even the various sensationalistic court cases being broadcast live on television.

With so many clear parallels to our modern world, it's easy to see why many directors set the show in the present. Not only does it retain its power and its point, it helps make the story accessible to a contemporary audience in a way that the more minimalist, event-driven style of the Bible cannot.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:43am

"It shouldn't be the "Judas Show." It should be balanced at least, and more Jesus's show."

I COMPLETELY disagree. That was never the intention for this show.

And I COMPLETELY DISAGREE with your disagreement, MR. CAPS. It's like saying "Evita" is really Che's show. Webber and Rice used the same format and formula to tell that story. The only way someone would believe it's Che's show is if you saw a crappy Eva.


The story and the score are already a two-layer dichotomy. Adding more conceptual layers just muddies the production and dilutes the story. I think that's why the original recording on its own was so successful.

I agree, Mr. Matt!

Updated On: 11/25/11 at 05:43 AM

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:46am

I'm coming down on the side of MR. CAPS, as you call him. Rice and Lloyd Webber began with the idea of writing a musical about Judas, in which Jesus was only a minor character. Though that's not exactly what they ended up with, Judas still emerged as the protagonist, more important and complex than Jesus. The show's title is Judas' own words, Judas' point of view, Judas' criticism of Jesus. More to the point, Judas is the most fully drawn character in the show, certainly more so than Jesus.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:47am

You're right. That's not how the show turned out.

Do you think Evita is Che's show because it's told from his POV?

Updated On: 11/25/11 at 05:47 AM

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:49am

You can play that game all you want, choosing only the parts of the argument that suit yourself just like everyone else on BWW, but you can't deny that Judas still emerged as the protagonist, more important and complex than Jesus. The show's title is Judas' own words, Judas' point of view, Judas' criticism of Jesus. More to the point, Judas is the most fully drawn character in the show, certainly more so than Jesus.

And if I have to repeat it til I'm blue in the face, then I shall, darling.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:51am

Judas is not more important or more complex than Jesus, unless you're skipping over all of Jesus's material in the show.

And I'm not playing any BWW game, simply because I'm arguing a point that was made. Either chill or grow up. Your choice.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 5:51am

No, I think Evita is Eva's show because she's a more fully drawn character in the show than Jesus is in JCS, which is bloody hard going considering the Eva of the show is a caricature derived from a biased biography.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 6:51am

By the way, Judas is not the protagonist of Jesus Christ, Superstar. If he were, it would end when he hangs himself. That would be the main story, so bring down the curtain.

"Ben-Hur" (sub-headed "A Tale of the Christ") is the perfect example of the story of Jesus where he's not the protagonist, nor is it told from his POV. (Actually, you barely see him, and you never see his face, despite the entire story of Ben-Hur's own life being framed by the life of Jesus, from birth to death.)

But Judas in JCS is not the star or the focus. He's the one-man Greek chorus, in conflict with his own opinions and emotions about Jesus. He's more integrated into the plot than Che is in Evita, because he actually takes part in the fate of Jesus. Yes, Judas is a terrific character, but you seem to have skipped over everything Jesus does, says, and sings in the show. Quite a lot, actually. It's equally (if not more so) complex and challenging, with just as much inner turmoil and character development. I think they did an excellent job of humanizing the "deity" and showing him as they perceive he might have been, walking among the people during the last days of his life.

Updated On: 11/25/11 at 06:51 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 6:54am

It's a Kristin-Idina situation, er I mean Glinda-Elphaba story in which there are two leads whose story and character arc are completely wedded to the experience each has with the other. Jesus's moral character is that catalyst for Judas's conflict and his judgement and actions (betrayal) become the catalyst for the events that unfold in Jesus's experience. Both are spiritual men wrestling with human emotions and persuit of divinity.

The comparisons to Che in Evita aren't really apt- Both characters provide perspective on the validity of the main charaters' behavior but Che's action doesn't directly affect Eva's journey.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 6:56am

LOL I love the Elphie-Galinda comparison.

And as far as form and format and prominence only (as I said), the Che-Evita comparison and Judas-Jesus comparison do parallel each other.

But Che is not integrated into the plot (as I also said), so I agree with you, MB.

Elphie Christ, Superstar. Love it!

Updated On: 11/25/11 at 06:56 AM

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 7:02am

Sorry, b12b, but concert album, stage production or film, Judas always seems the protagonist to me. Probably because, as written, his conflict seems the greater struggle. (I realize Jesus has his brief moments of rebellion, but by and large his journey seems an inevitable march toward his destiny. By contrast, Judas actually seems genuinely and deeply conflicted).

The comparison to Evita/Che doesn't work because Che isn't nearly as central to the story. He serves to comment and fill in the narrative blanks, but he doesn't actually affect the plot much. We would miss him if he were deleted, but it wouldn't actually change Evita's story.

Judas, on the other hand, is absolutely central to the plot of JCS.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 7:04am

Well, I disagree that he's the protagonist when he dies before the plot has finished, so there you have it. And Jesus has a lot more than "brief moments of rebellion," so I disagree with that, too.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 7:10am

Che is more like the narrator in Joseph- the role in that situation is that she sings perhaps the majority of the show and has a perspective on the actions but the evening is obviously joseph's story.

JCS is a joint protagonist structure. I'm not kidding with the Wicked reference. And this is as silly as debating If that show is Glinda's story or Elphabas-- the answer is they are one and the same and neither's journey could exist without the actions of the other. Updated On: 11/25/11 at 07:10 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 7:11am

And Judas spends 95 percent of his time on stage singing about Jesus.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/25/11 at 7:20am

But Judas has a decision to make that determines Jesus' fate. The same cannot be said of Che or the Narrator in JOSEPH. Dramatically, that's a big difference regardless of stage time.

b12b, I deliberately used the word "feel", as in "Judas feels like the protagonist", rather than insisting "Judas IS the protagonist". I realize that neither Judas nor Jesus is perfectly described by the dictionary definition of "protagonist".