Jesus Christ Superstar Musical at Bass Concert Hall, Austin, Texas — Page 2

Okay, I finally saw the show today and I fell just short of loving it. But it was really, really good.

Regarding the costumes, I mentioned earlier in the thread that I personally am not a fan of athletic attire for non-athletic purposes. However, I think it was quite effective here. Plus, it wasn't really athletic attire but more on that in a minute. Much like the movie used hippie attire to signal to the audience that this was role play set in the present, these costumes conveyed that we were on a journey with something akin to a group of Brooklyn hipsters. This felt like a Yeezy fashion show . . . streetwear more than sweat pants. I think another technique used to signify that this wasn't a period piece: the cast of Jesus' followers comes running in through the auditorium from the lobby post-Overture. Oh, and the way Jesus is crucified and the set comprised of steel I-beams also tell you this isn't set in biblical times. I am sorry OP was so disappointed, but I think the signs were there that the play wasn't intended to be set in 30 AD.

I had low expectations when this was first announced since there hasn't been a Broadway revival to drive this. However, Mary and Judas were exceptional. King Herod was flamboyant and a ton of fun. My only two problems with it:

1) Jesus is played as overly subdued for the first half. I get that he realizes he is near the end of his life, but you could barely hear him sing in anything up to Gethsemane. However, he turns it on for Gethsemane. The emotion really comes out. By the time he sings "Judas, must you betray me with a kiss" I was teary-eyed.

2) Caiaphas had a great bass voice, but he wasn't as threatening as I would expect. Annas was menacing, but Caiaphas was more like a big, cuddly teddy bear.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed this production and recognize this is early in the tour so some actors may need time to develop the roles more.

Meh, arguing that sweat pants are a good choice because JCS is supposed to be set at the current calendar date is a faulty argument for at least three reasons.

One, I don't see anyone ever running around in sweat pants except sometimes the women who shop at Whole Foods.

Two, while the show was meant to be set in the contemporary moment when it was written, that doesn't mean the design choice should continue. Everything about the sound of that show in terms of both music and lyrics is very clearly late 60's/early 70's, so trying to make it look contemporary for today just comes across as fake culture (see the live t.v. version, as bad as any recent production). Follies was meant to take place "on this stage tonight," but it would be impossible to make that production choice today--how old would the attendees have to be if it took place in 2020 and they performed with Weissman in 1941 at the latest? Really "current calendar date" stops being accurate once a show has opened in its first incarnation. At that point, noting a few exceptions, it's pretty much frozen. I'm sure this will prove to be true of shows like Dear Evan Hanson, as well.

Three, Tim Rice never intended the show to take place at the current calendar date in the first place. That's just what the initial stage directors (Tom O'Horgan in the U.S., Jim Sharman in Australia then England) went with. In fact, his screenplay for the movie had the story set in the story's historical period.

Not commenting on the show, but definitely saying JCS doesn't require a contemporary setting, nor does a contemporary setting necessitate sweat pants.

TPAC has canceled opening night here of JCS because of the tornado last night. Hopefully it'll play the rest of the week (and the lottery is lucky! lol)