Jesus Christ Superstar--Herod's Song

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 6:14pm

What is your favorite portrayal of Herod from the various productions and movies?

I've only seen the movies, so I'd say Josh Mostel and Rik Mayall. :) I can't choose between them.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 6:23pm

I saw Bill Nolte do it at Music Circus in Sacramento several years ago, and he was great. He was done up to look like Elton John in funky beachwear -- complete with bad hair-transplant with and purple glasses.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 6:28pm

I really like Josh Mostel.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 7:35pm

you ARE the christ. you're the GREAT jesus christ.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:43pm

Which Herod is that, Caroline-Q-or-TBoo? :P

[EdmundOG]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:48pm

I'd love to see Richard Cheese do it...

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:49pm

I don't think I have a favorite portrayal per se...but I do LOVE that song.

One of my recordings of the show has Alice Cooper as Herod -- talk about an interesting rendition of the song!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 8:49pm

Jesus, I am overjoyed to meet you face to face.
You've been getting quite a name all around the place.
Healing cripples, raising from the dead.
And now I understand you're God, (everyone says AHH)
At least, that's what you've said.
So, you are the Christ, you're the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you're divine; change my water into wine.
That's all you need do, then I'll know it's all true.

[NCGuy]

Posted: 4/26/06 at 9:12pm

I don’t know that I have a favorite either, but I will say the version on the Australian Highlights album scares the crap out of me (it sounds like some big fascist rally!).

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 4:09pm

Really?

(Do they sing in English on that? I've never heard any foreign versions)

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 9:47pm

I've decided about which Herod I like best.....

Rik and Josh equally. :)

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/28/06 at 10:26pm

Edit: Never mind. :)
Updated On: 4/28/06 at 10:26 PM

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 4/28/06 at 11:23pm

Yes...they sing in English on the Australian version...........

[ALWrules]

Posted: 4/28/06 at 11:56pm

The guy in the DVD with Glenn Carter, Christopher Biggins.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 9:54pm

But Rik Mayall played Herod on the DVD with Glenn Carter!

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 10:09pm

That's actually the song that got me into theater. I was in third grade or so and had an ex-hippie uncle who played the original recording in his eight track player (yes, eight track players.) As a kid going to Catholic school with a bit of a rebel streak, the song was gloriously fun and irreverent.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/30/06 at 10:36pm

Alice Cooper and the guy on the Australian version.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 12:31am

Herod's Song was originally called Try It And See...an awful and weird song. If you haven't heard it, it's on the Now and Then Andrew Lloyd Webber Cd Anthology.
Everyone who likes Hearod's Song should hear it a least once to appreciate how much better the song has evolved. In fact, I don't think the song had anything to do with JCS when the tune was 1st written.



Updated On: 5/1/06 at 12:31 AM

[GypsyRoseLee]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 10:32am

Alice Cooper! Even better than his rendition of the song is his "head shot" in the booklet of the CD. It has headshots of all the principal singers; they're all serious, b&w professional shots, and then there's Cooper's...oh god it's beautiful.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 3:11pm

Try It And See was written for a contest or something. It sounds like a 50s commercial.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 10:40pm

And I think Barry Dennan did Herod like he was drunk. :P Some of his lines sounded drunk.

[??]

Posted: 5/1/06 at 10:47pm

The Herod on the Aussie cast is a guy named "Angry" Anderson, and yes Emcee.....Australia is an English speaking country

I think the original Herod will always be my favourite. I hated Rick Mayall, but I also really enjoyed Anderson.


Also, I think Johnny Farnham might be in the top 3 Jesus's

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 5/3/06 at 8:13pm

My mom said that Josh Mostel's Herod is cute, Rik Myall's is scary, and Barry Dennan's is drunk.

[NY212]

Posted: 5/3/06 at 11:53pm

I think it is a complex number. I would think you need to have a bit of many major emotions. Able to turn on a dime. i've never seen a Herod I loved all the way...but i love the show.

[Emcee4ever]

Posted: 5/4/06 at 7:43pm

I read in a production note on Herod that his unstability is what makes him scary; you never know when he's going to snap.