“Jesus Christ Superstar” Ivo van Hove

A new controversial production of JCS to be directed by Ivo van Hove in Amsterdam next January. 171 super seats in the round. With the production taking place on stage and in the air. The seats will move in time with what’s happening on stage.


The word controversial was in the website’s description

https://www.jesuschristsuperstar.nl



Approved by Webber.

Updated On: 8/18/23 at 06:22 AM

Oh man, I’d love to see this. Ivo is one of my favorite directors working today, even if I’ve really disliked about half of what he’s done. He still takes more risks than almost anyone else out there so love the show or hate it, you’re guaranteed to see something you’ve probably never seen before.

Jordan. I’ve sadly never seen his work ( the original Dutch version of A Little Life played Adelaide for a weekend only during the festival and sadly was sold out ) but this makes me want to see this production. It would be worth the trip from Melbourne Australia.

translation


Unparalleled, pure and raw
Jesus Christ Superstar is the theater experience of 2024. A story before and of our time, which is guaranteed to make you think. In a new, epic version by internationally renowned director Ivo van Hove and with a star cast by Jeangu Macrooy (Jesus), Freek Bartels (Judas), Edwin Jonker (Pilatus), Alex Klaasen (King Herod), Magtel de Laat (Maria Magdalena) and the best talents from home and abroad, among others. The unforgettable lyrics and music of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – together with a live orchestra – form the basis for this fully English-sung theater spectacle.

The story
The story that has been leading in much of the world for centuries and seems extremely topical right now comes to Dutch theaters. Jesus Christ Superstar is about a group of people who want to change the world. And how that ends in the biggest movement ever. A performance about worship and betrayal. Glorification and slander. Power and rebellion. But above all: a story of hope. The more than 20 songs from the 1970 original album form the foundation of this iconic performance.

Brace yourself for Jesus Christ Superstar, the rock musical of 2024.



Super Seats: Become Part of the Happening
Jesus Christ Superstar feels like a true happening. Immerse yourself and be caught off guard by the industrial design, an unadulterated concert feeling and a unique setting. Intense and close. The round stage feels like an arena, where you can even literally become part of the story. Choose one of the 171 Super Seats, with which you sit on stage and where the story takes place around you. Come in between the scenes, come face to face with a living work of art and be sucked into the experience! Or choose one of the other places in the room and be challenged by a performance that you will not soon forget.



Ivo van Hove
About Jesus Christ Superstar

“I want to show the audience something they've never seen before. And that we are doing something different with this Jesus Christ Superstar.”
“The stage is a pressure cooker, ready to explode. I want the audience to feel part of that, to play their part.”
“This story is about humanity, friendship and the doubt we all have. A Jesus Christ Superstar for the 21st century, with today's themes, for today's people.”

Rumor has it he's cutting "Could We Start Again Please?" That'll throw some fuel on the fire of those who say Ivo's got an issue with the female point of view [see: cutting "I Feel Pretty"].

Updated On: 8/18/23 at 11:38 AM

Oy vey.

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "Rumor has it he's cutting "Could We Start Again Please?" That'll throw some fuel on the fire of those who say Ivo's got an issue with the female point of view [see: cutting "I Feel Pretty"]."

Gross.

I'll be going in a few weeks, though based on the trailer, it doesn't seem like anything too crazy is happening. The BWW critic gave it a rave, though they didn't talk much about specific staging (link), whereas the NYT review seemed to dislike it mostly based on the musical itself, though they mentioned the direction didn't really make it work either (gift link). Though from the NYT review, some of the moments they mentioned and disliked actually pique my interest so I'm stil fairly excited about this.

Also there was a video of bows that was taken down or made private, but I got a screenshot of the preview image in case people wanted to see (link)

It might be interesting, van Hove can be hit or miss. I loved his recent production of Don Giovanni at the MET.

I thought that the 2018 live concert version with John Legend directed by David Leveaux and Alex Rudzinski was superb in every way and made me positively reassess the musical.