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Lyrics - Tim Rice
Opened - 1971
Main characters - Jesus Christ, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Pilate
Plot - The musical charts the last 7 days of Jesus's life. It begins with Jesus whipping up support, and singing Hosanna in the streets which annoys the high priest. Judas thinks Jesus is going about everything the wrong way, and he betrays Jesus by telling the high priest when Jesus will be in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus and the deciples have a feast in Gethsemane, and an argument breaks out between Jesus and Judas. Jesus knows that Judas will betray him, and Judas does so. Jesus then tries to work out what God's plan is and decides that he will die. The guards arrive and arrest him. He is taken to Pilate who sends him to Herod. Jesus refuses to entertain Herod with tricks so is sent back to Pilate. Judas, racked with guilt, hangs himself. After flogging Jeses, Pilate eventually gives into pressure from the crowd and agrees to have Jesus crucified. Jesus hangs on the cross, and commends his spirit to the lord.
Songs (With marks out of 10) -
1.Overture (9)
(Average - 9.08, Overall score - 324)
2.Heaven on their minds (10)
3.Whats the buzz? (8)
4.Strange thing, mystifying (9)
5.Everythings Alright (9)
6.This Jesus must die (10)
7.Hosanna (9)
8.Simon Zealotes (8)
9.Pilate's dream (9)
10.The temple (9)
11.I don't know how to love him (10)
12.Damned for all time (9)
13.The last supper (8)
14.The argument (10)
15.Gethsemane (10)
16.Peters denial (9)
17.Pilate and Christ (8)
18.King Herods song (9)
19.Could we start again, please? (10)
20.Judas' death (10)
21.Trial before Pilate (9)
22.Superstar (8)
23.Crucifixion (8)
24.John 19:41 (10)
Favourite song - Heaven on their Minds
Favourite character - Judas
Favourite lines -
"Listen Jesus to the warning I give. Please remember that I want us to live.
But it's sad to see our chances weakening with every hour. All your followers are blind!
Too much heaven on their minds. It was beautiful but now it's sour. Yes it's all gone sour!"
- Judas, angry at Jesus's mistakes, 'Heaven on their Minds'
"All right, I'll die.....Just watch me die.....See how I die!...SEE HOW III DIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!"
- Jesus, deciding to die with conviction, 'Gethsemane'
Comment - Jesus Christ Superstar is a different kind of musical to any I own, and it's called a Rock Opera. It has a lot of guitars and high-pitched yells, and although it's not beautiful music, it has such a raw energy to it. The singers can just put so much into the songs. There are moving moments too amongst the rock, but the best thing about JCS is the pure power and emotion it creates.
