Jesus Christ Superstar--A Few Questions

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 6:03pm

I'm a fairly new fan of JCS, and I've only seen the '73 movie. And I have a few opinion questions.

1- King Herod's Song. As I've only seen the movie, I'm curious about the various portrayals of Herod. Like the way they presented his song, his mocking of Jesus, etc. Which portrayal would you say was best?

2- Pilate's Dream. From the movie, I feel that it's a very sad song, especially the last few lines. How have you seen it done, and are there any varients in how it was done?

That's all. :)

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 7:57pm

Can someone please answer? :)

[Timmerbo]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 8:25pm

Herod always mocks Jesus. That's the obvious subtext of the song and to change it wouldn't make sense.

But these days it's often done by a pseudo-lounge singer. Though it's a 'character song', most Herods thankfully have better voices than Josh Mostel from the movie.

Pilates Dream is sometimes sung by an actress playing Pilate's wife, which makes the scene more accurate to the Bible. I've never seen it done this way, though.

[jo]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 8:34pm

The Really Useful Group has a filmed version of the stage show production, which was released a few years ago ( with Glenn Carter in the title role). You may also want to check that out - not sure if it had been released on Region 1 though.


Updated On: 4/4/06 at 08:34 PM

[Timmerbo]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 8:35pm

If Region 1 is North America, then it certainly has. :)

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

I've only seen a community production (along with the movie, obviously), but I believe the final emotion expressed in "Pilate's Dream" should be that of Pilate feeling haunted and burdened by the inevitable. Sad, sure, but I think it's more than Pilate simply feeling "sad."

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 9:45pm

In most of the productions I have seen, Herod has been a homosexual. It's a very funny interpretation, and it is definatly a show stealing moment. Also, I am in the minority here, but I really do love Josh Mostel as Herod. His was the first version I saw, and I instantly fell in love with it and watched the scene over and over.

Now, onto Pilate's Dream. Really it is all about how Pilate is afraid of what is going on happen next, although he knows it is unavoidable. He fears when everyone is going to turn on him and leave him the blame, though as of the moment they are comdemning Jesus.

Hope that clears some stuff up. If you have anymore questions, just ask.

[Jon]

Posted: 4/4/06 at 11:18pm

In the original Broadway version, Herod was a drag queen with huge platform shoes - like 16 inches high.

[??]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:15am

Herod is pure and utter camp. There are many different interpretations. Josh Mostel played him as sort of funny and crazy, the gentleman off the Glenn Carter DVD played him as very dangerous, Barry Dennen and subsequent 2003 tour casts he was very lounge singer with a big crown and a giant light up HEROD sign. The problem with Herod is that it is easy to make him the comical relief in a part of the show where certainly no comedy should be included. Personally I view Herod as someone the audience should enjoy but also know how dangerous he is (and was) and feel kind of creepy at his presence.

As for Pilates dream, I don't really think it is sad. I always percieved it as Pilate awakening from a disturbing dream and it nags him but the more he tries to remember it, the more he forgets. It's kind of a big sign that screams FORESHADOWING.

If you want sad, Fred Johannson does a great job of overacting Pilate on the Glenn Carter DVD, crying like a big wuss. Kind of stupid I thought.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:28am

The Aussie DVD is simply absurd in every way.

The original film is actually pretty fantastic, I think.

If you want a good cast recording of it, look out for the Australian cast that has Aussie pop stars on it. It's got the best Jesus I've ever heard. And, the arrangements are top shelf.

Herod and Pilate have been done a million different ways, but I think the strongest choices are when Pilate in underplayed -- like he's just telling someone a dream -- no haunting overtone -- the music does that work for you. Herod should be pretensious, and as long as that comes across, then the sentiment doesn't flow too far his way.

[Pippin]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:36am

IMO, Herod's number has to be as over the top, stupid, and entertaining as possible, because the music allows it, with the 1, 4, 1, 4, 1, 4 stucture of the chords, but also, it is the only time in the second act where we as the audience can breathe and let go some of the tension that has built up. becuase after Herod, it goes right into "trial before Pilate" and downhill from there, so we need a chance to let go before all that happens.

[jasobres]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 11:08am

I have a question. Why was it that Ben Vereen played Judas and yet the people who later played the role were mostly white?

[??]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 11:42am

Touchmeinthemorning,

There is no Aussie DVD. If you are thinking of the new dvd with Glenn Carter, Jerome Pradon and Tony Vincent, it was filmed in London. Carter is English, Pradon is French and Vincent is American.

The 1992 Aussie Cast is headed by a guy name John Farnham as Jesus, you are right, he is fantastic. I also enjoy that version of Herods song. If you can find recording of the 70's New Zealand cast, it's not bad either.

Pippin,
I politely disagree. While you are totally correct in that Herods song was devised for a break from the action, I think when it is played over to top just for laughs, it ruins the flow. Personally, considering a guy is about to be crucified and another about to commit suicide, I think that Herods song if relegated to "audience pleasing" number really ruins the impact. "Wow, that show was great....but man wasn't Herod funny" really throws off the whole point.

Jasobres,
Ben Vereen played Judas because he could sing the role. (Well actually, he couldn't and called out so much he and Carl Anderson split the show 4 times a week each. He also took a while to recover after being Judas....but I digress). I'm not sure where you saw white people playing the role more. Anderson, in the film is black, Pradon is white. Maybe on the recordings they are mostly white, but most tours I've seen Judas is black. And then there is Zubin Varla....what is his heritage?

The point is, is that race was and is not really an issue with Judas. The people cast in the roles are cast because they can sing it. There have been several black Jesus's....notably Billy Carter. Jesus has also been played by Amy Ray, Michael Crawford (gag), and alot of community productions will have a female Jesus.

Judas has been played by women, as has Caiaphas (German recording), Simon Zealots, Annas, Herod etc etc etc. And all races.




If anyone wants a good laugh, search online for the japanese recording of JCS. It can go for upwards of $50 but it is so awful, you will listen to it over and over. Japans answer to Michael Crawford, the Iron Chef, plays Jesus (also played Valjean) and I think they hired Gallagher to play Judas. Not only that but the singing is so offkey it can be equated to some really bad American Idol auditions (I'm not exagerating either. While plenty of people go off key on a recording, the original Mary Magdelene is famous for it, this is seriously on a totally different planet)

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 1:15pm

How did Alice Cooper play Herod? I have the recording, but I'm curious as to how he did it on stage.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 1:22pm

Well, the 1973's movie version of King Herrod is not really a favorite of mine at all!
Yes, there are many different intereptations of King Herrod. The best voice that I have heard in on the Original Cast Recording(the London I think).

[Jon]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 1:37pm

Judas was white on the original concept recording - the great Murray Head, who also originated The American in CHESS.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 5:22pm

Thanks for all the responses! ^_^

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 5:55pm

The key thing abour Pilate's Dream is the foreshadowing. Because during the Trial before Pilate sequence there is a bit in the music where there is a pause and the orchestrations reiterate the Pilate's Dream melody (i dreamed i met a galilean).


It is at this point that Pilate realises the man before him is the man of his dream. And from that point he goes out of his way to avoid killing him. However he sucumbs to the mob and fulfills the prophecy.

You will find that subtext in the Gale Edwards production that ran in the Lyceum then the bastardised version she directed for dvd and Broadway.

Worryingly a large number of a amateur productions completely miss the musical cue!!!! Really hacks me off cause its written that way for a reason. Its the second biggest tragedy of the show after Judas.

[cturtle]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 5:59pm

i LOVE the movie (it is one of my favorite films), but KING HEROD's song is my least favorite moment ... too over the top. i much prefer the "straight" rendition given on the ORIGINAL BROWN ALBUM.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/5/06 at 10:44pm

Just curious, how were Herod and Pilate played in the Broadway tour with Ted and Carl?
Updated On: 4/5/06 at 10:44 PM

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 12:58am

I LOATHE the Glenn Carter DVD.

Herod is there purely for a little bit of comic relief from what has been a very dark story. It's a very clever song. The interpretation in the movie is pretty ridiculous though.

I don't like Pilate's Wife singing the dream-I have seen it done this way and it doesn't do much for the plot because she sings that and then doesn't do anything the rest of the show. I think it's much more effective when Pilate sings it. I agree with MrKringas about the music cue-it is a "chillworthy" moment!

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 3:24pm

PerforMeg, how was Herod done in the movie?

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 3:39pm

Frankly, Jesus and Judas are played by whomever you can find that are capable of singing in those ridiculously high ranges. Man, woman, black, white -- just as long as you can find someone with the range. Which doesn't always make for great theatre. Heaven forbid Webber and Rice could have written the show in more manageable octaves.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 5:20pm

Jesus really only needs a solid belt up until an A. So long as he has a very strong falsetto he can get away with the other bits. The score is written to allow for improvs remember.

I agree that Judas is written way off the stave however its to indicate the extreme emotions and it sounds ace! The last UK Tour featured a very competent actor, Jon Boyden, who navigated the score with healthy technique and power. I hate hearing it screamed ala Zubin Varla.... and yet in the theatre his performance was totally mesmerising.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 4/6/06 at 5:42pm

It's really interesting to read this thread considering not only am I currently playing Pilate in JCS, but I am a girl playing Pilate! Pilate's Dream is anything but "sad." It's haunting, bewildered, confused and even frightened. The way we have it staged, he has just woken up, so it's his first attempt to sort out the images he has just seen in his dream. Remember the last time you had a scary dream; you lay there remembering everything, and just as you think you've got it all sorted out, some other frightening detail comes running back at you. That's what the ending means to me, it's definetly not urgent or frantic, but I think it's a very important moment of discovery for him.

I can't believe some productions would use a female Jesus. "I don't know how to love HIM, I don't see how HE moves me, he's just a MAN." Doesn't seem to work so well...