JCS bad?

[ttreg]

Do yall think it is bad to listen/watch JCS? (Jesus Christ Superstar)

EDIT: Forget about the question. But I do have another question. In the song Superstar in the musical Judas saids "Could Mohammed move a mountain or was that just PR?" what does PR mean?

 

[soulsearching1]

No- with few exceptions, I don't feel as though books/music/tv/movies are inherently bad, because even if you do not agree with the message, it can still be a thought-provoking experience. Obviously, stuff with gratuitous meaningless violence and sex don't really qualify, and many secular folk would agree with this as well; but I don't think JCS falls into this category. It's certainly not blasphemous; the play does not make any claims one way or another- it presents several different viewpoints, and it can be interpreted many different ways. So no, I don't think it's bad. The ending still breaks my heart every single time (the musical interlude called "John 19:41" with no lyrics), and it has since I was in 4th grade.

 

[WardSmythe]

Do yall think it is bad to listen/watch JCS? (Jesus Christ Superstar)

No, I don't think listening to or watching JCS is bad. As long as you understand it's not THE Gospel, but an interpretation of the story, and much of that from the perspective of Judas then it's not problematic.

I saw Ted Neely do this in a revival tour a number of years ago. It was an incredible performance.

 

[E-beth]

Superstar is one of my favorite musicals. When I first saw it, I found myself looking through the Bible to see the scenes as written in the original. For example, Simon the Zealot has a song in Superstar and I had to go back to find what the Bible records about him. So for me, the musical was a sort of Bible study.

However, what is acceptable to one person is not always acceptable to another. If the Holy Spirit tells you it is not okay for you, then by all means listen!

 

[superdave]

Jesus Christ Superstar is my favorite ALW Musical. Evita is probably a close second. This was before Andrew Lloyd Webber, wrote crap.

JCS is a rock opera told in the eyes of Judas Iscariot. So in that light, I think it may not be too far off from the truth. But how do we know? It's just an interpertation. It's not the Gospel, It's entertainment. It's not religious, It's a secular production telling the story of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot.

I recently saw the National Tour, with Ted Neeley. And they made it more "evangelical" than previous productions. Such as Jesus Christ, raises a dead person in the Overture. Which shows, I think, The Divinity of Christ. Which is something that hasnt been shown in the Musical ever. It also shows the Shroud of Turin at the end, and Christ raising to Heaven at the end.

--I love this musical, I memorized it. And I want to play Judas before I die!

 

[soulsearching1]

Jesus Christ Superstar is my favorite ALW Musical. Evita is probably a close second. This was before Andrew Lloyd Webber, wrote crap.

I totally agree. After that, his shows became, grandiose, poorly-written, hyped up crap to appeal to the ignorant masses who want to feel "cultured", so they go see "Cats"...yech.

JCS is a rock opera told in the eyes of Judas Iscariot. So in that light, I think it may not be too far off from the truth. But how do we know? It's just an interpertation. It's not the Gospel, It's entertainment. It's not religious, It's a secular production telling the story of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot.

It may not be the Gospel, for sure, but I think it's also a very good interpretation of what it might have been like to be one of Jesus's friends (Judas, Peter, etc) and how do you deal with someone who seems human, IS human, but is telling you that he is also NOT human. And for Jesus, to have to wrestle with very real human feelings. He was made to feel pain, suffering, anger, love, everything that humans feel, but knew at the same time, that he was sent here to do something specific and was ultimately accepting of that. I think one could really develop those relationships in a lot of ways, when doing a production.

I recently saw the National Tour, with Ted Neeley. And they made it more "evangelical" than previous productions. Such as Jesus Christ, raises a dead person in the Overture. Which shows, I think, The Divinity of Christ. Which is something that hasnt been shown in the Musical ever. It also shows the Shroud of Turin at the end, and Christ raising to Heaven at the end.

The show really can lend itself to a "Christian" production. Not something that's done often, I don't think, but the material is strong enough that it can be interpreted as such. I'd love to do a production of it, not just be in one, but direct one.

 

[superdave]

I'd love to direct JCS too, But I would not portray it the way-- Oh my, I dont want to offend people... But I wont portray it as a Church Musical. That's not what Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber intended it to be. Even though, Church groups are what propelled JCS-- believe it or not. The same church groups turned around in protest.

I would make it like it was suppose to be done. A High Intensity Rock Opera about the conflicts between two friends. I wouldn't throw in my articles of faith into it, It would ruin the whole message of the show.

There are plenty of Musicals that tell the Gospel Story. JCS does not belong in that camp, and should never be done like that.

Same goes for Godspell in my opinion. But not so much as JCS.

 

[soulsearching1]

I'd love to direct JCS too, But I would not portray it the way-- Oh my, I dont want to offend people... But I wont portray it as a Church Musical. That's not what Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber intended it to be. Even though, Church groups are what propelled JCS-- believe it or not. The same church groups turned around in protest.

I would make it like it was suppose to be done. A High Intensity Rock Opera about the conflicts between two friends. I wouldn't throw in my articles of faith into it, It would ruin the whole message of the show.

There are plenty of Musicals that tell the Gospel Story. JCS does not belong in that camp, and should never be done like that.

Same goes for Godspell in my opinion. But not so much as JCS.

I think you can still give it a Christian spin without making it too "preachy", know what I mean? There's a lot of different things you could do with it, so I think that could be avoided but still put out a more Christian message.

 

[superdave]

I think you can still give it a Christian spin without making it too "preachy", know what I mean? There's a lot of different things you could do with it, so I think that could be avoided but still put out a more Christian message.

I understand what you are saying-But I think it looses the integrity and original intent of what the play was meant to say. I mean we can bring our creative interpertation to the script. And I dont think it should be 100% Like the 1972 Production. Obviously, It would look silly, For Judas to be in Platform shoes, For There to be hippies on stage-- I think that would be ridicilous. I think JCS should change with the times, because that was what the original intent of ALW/Time Rice was.But I dont think you should negate what the Original Message was. I know for a fact that Tim Rice/ Andrew Lloyd Webber had no desire to make this into an Easter Pagent. I think the greatest thing about Superstar, is its human aspect to it. It paints Judas, Mary and Christ in different lights that are daring and trying. And I dont think you could portray these characters like this, in a Production that has a Christian spin.

But each to his own, I can see what you are saying...

 

[romaneagle13]

I understand what you are saying-But I think it looses the integrity and original intent of what the play was meant to say. I mean we can bring our creative interpertation to the script. And I dont think it should be 100% Like the 1972 Production. Obviously, It would look silly, For Judas to be in Platform shoes, For There to be hippies on stage-- I think that would be ridicilous. I think JCS should change with the times, because that was what the original intent of ALW/Time Rice was.But I dont think you should negate what the Original Message was. I know for a fact that Tim Rice/ Andrew Lloyd Webber had no desire to make this into an Easter Pagent. I think the greatest thing about Superstar, is its human aspect to it. It paints Judas, Mary and Christ in different lights that are daring and trying. And I dont think you could portray these characters like this, in a Production that has a Christian spin.

But each to his own, I can see what you are saying...

Have you seen the new version that was done on DVD in 2000? I liked that one. It was much more modern and tied in a lot of themes that are relevant to today. It wasn't as campy as the movie that was made in the 70's. The 2000 film is a lot more serious and darker in tone and much more theatrical. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. I was floored by the director's concept, although some of the singing was not all that great (didn't like Judas' voice cracking screaming and Jesus' falsetto high notes). But the acting was decent.

 

[Corri]

It gets a point across or a few in its own way and I got something out of it.Especially the temple scene where they were setting up business's in God's house. I have this on video.Like the music. Alot.

 

[ttreg]

Forget about the question. But I do have another question. In the song Superstar in the musical Judas saids "Could Mohammed move a mountain or was that just PR?" what does PR mean?

 

[Corri]

Uh it means promotional. Ever hear the phrase PR used in the entertainment field.Like Britney just needs a little PR.

 

[Corri]

Ted Neely has a site up and is continuing to do Jesus Christ Superstar on stage. Go check his site out.