Jesus Christ Superstar- our experience

    I was lucky enough to see Carl Anderson, Judas from the 1973 movie, in his last tour a few years back. He was fabulous but unfortunately he died of cancer just a few months later. We loved it. Even Sebastian Bach of the 80's band Skid Row playing Christ with a rock star swagger and lots of hair tossing couldn't spoil it!

    I decided I would go back only if Ted Neeley, who played Christ in the movie, toured with them again. I was listening to the radio and cleaning the kitchen (oh joy) a few weeks ago and when the commercial started between songs I heard that  unmistakable overture! I thought "Man, if he was with them....". Then they announced that Ted Neeley would indeed be singing the part of Christ. I grabbed the phone and called my sister (my usual partner in crime in such things) and told her and  she and I said together "WE ARE GOING!".

    We have a beautiful old theater here called the Palace. It was saved, thankfully, by an individual who did not want to see it torn down. It is very ornate and inside the theater itself it looks as if you are sitting outside under a night sky in an Italian piazza. It is lovely. This is where we saw JCS.

     Everyone around us chatted excitedly about seeing Ted Neeley and this production. My husband and I talked about the production with a lovely group of ladies in the row in front of us. We were joined by a couple behind us as well, all excitedly waiting. Then the music began and it was completely silent with all eyes on the stage.

     Corey Glover, the lead singer of "Living Colour" played Judas and had the first song "Too Much Heaven On Their Minds" and we were swept away instantly. He really put his heart into. He wasn't  Carl Anderson but hey, those are mighty big shoes to fill!

     The entire supporting cast was incredible, especially in songs sung as a group. "Could We Start Again, Please" was beautiful and the harmonies were dead on, especially in "Everythings Alright" and "What's The Buzz". The calls of "crucify him" and "we have no king but Ceasar" were chilling. "Hosannah" was particularly well done.

     Ted delivers a very believable, humble, loving Christ, which is part of what makes him so great in this role. A full two songs are done before Ted Neeley sings a word.  We all sat there waiting to see if at 64 years of age Ted could still hit those notes and deliver that performance. When he started singing you could see heads all over the theater nodding approval. He did not disappoint us. His voice has deepened slightly with age (which I liked) but he could still hit those high wails he is famous for.    

    Gethsemene is my favorite song from the production. For those of you who don't know it is based on the Agony in the Garden and begins softly with Christ asking "Will no one stay awake with me?" and builds in intensity and volume until Christ accepts his fate and God's will. We all waited breathlessly to see if Ted would pull it off. He was absolutely amazing! My sister later said, "Oh my God, he nailed that song! I had goose bumps!" I think we all did.

    The last thing in the production is the crucifiction. The final song ends with the sound of a hammer striking metal and then they raise the cross. The lighting, mist and thunderstorm were amazing. Mr. Neeley's portrayal of Christ suffering on the cross and the words Christ spoke were so moving that most of the audience was in tears. It looked incredibly real and was hard to watch. My daughter and future daughter in law went with us as well and they were very moved by it, even my big macho husband had tears in his eyes. A very soft poignant song plays as you realize he has died. It ends with Christ floating off the cross and into the rafters, risen (the movie ends with the crucifiction which is the ONLY thing I didn't like about it). After that a large verticle banner depicting the Shroud of Turin unfurled from the ceiling and and served as the curtain for the curtain call. I have never seen such a standing ovation, except for the time I saw Itzhak Perlman at the Center For the Arts.

     I have to tell you, this was the most amazing stage production I have ever experienced. Don't miss it if they come your way. It is well worth it.