ACT I.
Judas is beginning to worry about Jesus (Heaven On Their Minds). He
doesn't believe that Jesus is the son of God as many others now seem to
think, and he is afraid that if Jesus starts getting too loud, they will
draw attention from the Romans, who will then crush them. That Friday
night in Bethany, the apostles are asking Jesus about his plans for the future (What's the Buzz). While they pester Jesus, Mary Magdalene seeks
to comfort him by rubbing his feet and hair in oil. Judas arrives, and
asks Jesus what is doing with a woman of Mary Magdalene's reputation (
Strange Thing Mystifying). Jesus says to leave her alone, not to throw
stones unless your slate is clean, and states that no one there cares
about him. Mary Magdalene tries to calm Jesus down (Everything's Alright
) and soothes him, telling him not to worry. Judas, meanwhile, is asking
Jesus why good money was used on expensive ointments instead of the
poor. Jesus replies that they can't be helped, and alludes to his death,
saying that they'll be lost when he's gone.
The following Sunday in Jerusalem, High Priest Caiaphas is with other
priests, discussing what to do about Jesus (This Jesus Must Die). They
conclude that Jesus must die.
When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, the crowd is ecstatic, and sings
hosannas (Hosanna). Simon Zealots tries to convince Jesus that he can
convince the people of Jerusalem to arm against Rome (Simon Zealots).
Jesus answers that no one understands what true power or glory is, and
that to conquer death, one must die (Poor Jerusalem).
The next day, Pontius Pilate has a dream about Jesus, and his role in
his death (Pilate's Dream). Jesus arrives at the temple in Jerusalem to
find it a haven for moneylenders and merchants. He chases them out in
anger (The Temple). He is then surrounded by lepers and the poor,
begging to be healed. Jesus yells at them to heal themselves. Mary
Magdalene tries to comfort him again (Everything's Alright (Reprise)).
After Jesus is asleep, Mary Magdalene tries to decide how to deal with
her love for him (I Don't Know How To Love Him). On Tuesday, Judas goes
to talk with Caiaphas (Damned For All Time) and tells them where to find
Jesus on Thursday night (Blood Money). A distant choir tells Judas,
"Well done."
ACT II.
It is Thursday night in the garden of Gathsemane, and Jesus is
performing the Last Supper (The Last Supper). The apostles discuss how
they're glad to be where they are now, while Jesus suffers from doubt.
He announces that Peter will deny him, and another of his twelve chosen
will betray him. Judas confronts him, telling Jesus that he knows very
well that Judas is the one that will be the betrayer. Judas leaves, and
the other apostles go to sleep. Jesus stays awake, and prays (Gethsemane
). He wants to know why he must die, why he must go through with his
Father's plan.
Judas arrives later, and betrays Jesus with a kiss (The Arrest).
Caiaphas asks if he is the Son of God, and Jesus answers that that is
what others say that he is. Peter denies he ever knew Jesus to three
people (Peter's Denial). Mary Magdalene wonders how Jesus could have
known. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who sends him off to Herod, since Jesus
comes from Galilee (Pilate and Christ).
King Herod asks Jesus to perform miracles to prove that he is the Son of
God; if he does, Herod will let him go free (King Herod's Song). Jesus
refuses, and he is sent back to Pilate. Judas sees the bruised and
beaten state Jesus is in, and wonders how he could have done such a
thing to Jesus. He hangs himself, saying that Jesus has murdered him.
Pontius Pilate tries to help Jesus, and tries to sate the crowd's cry
for crucification with 39 lashes (Trial Before Pilate). But the crowds
still clamor for Jesus's death, and he is sent to be crucified. The
voice of Judas is heard as Jesus carries his cross (Superstar). He
wonders why Jesus choose the particular time and place that he did, and
why he choose to sacrifice himself for others. Jesus is nailed to the
cross (The Crucifixion). He dies, and into his Father's hands he
commends his spirit. His body is then taken to a tomb (John Nineteen
Forty-One).
- James Upp
