Last night, I saw Ted Neeley play the role of Jesus Christ in the Andrew Lloyd Weber production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Schnitzer Theater. Ted is the best known Jesus Christ in musical theater, first playing the son of god on stage in 1969, then in the 1973 film adaptation--and he's been questioning his faith and sleeping fitfully ever since.
For you history buffs and (yuck) theater people, Neeley has been Jesus for 38 years -- four years longer than the original Jesus did the gig. It's amazing that one guy could play god for virtually his entire career -- also, just like the first Jesus. Okay, technically, "original" Jesus had two careers, having started out as a carpenter, but I'll bet Neeley had to wait tables for a while. In any case, both rocked their houses. I'm a fan of the original Jesus's message of peace and I do love his screaming celebrity impersonator.
I wonder if the original Jesus was short. Neeley is, like, Tom Cruise tiny, but it only makes his gentle shepherd-schtick that much more believable. And, as I said in the headline, he is one HOT diety. 38 years later. Yummy.
There are those fans of JCS who would suggest that Judas Iscariot has all the good lines. Last night, Corey Glover (as in Living Colour lead singer Corey Glover) played Judas . My dad and I saw Glover and his band open for the Rolling Stones in 1989. At the Stones' show, Glover rocked Cult of Personality before the second Stones opening act Guns-n-Roses played and Axl Rose fell off the stage during Mr. Brownstone (GNR's little ditty about drugs)... rendering both songs ironic.
Back to Glover's current gig: What I love about this production is that it not only highlights Jesus's humanity, it also supports Judas as a flawed, but forgivable human. Too often, in renaissance paintings and liturgical pulpits, Judas is a one-dimensional, well, jerk. In JC Superstar, Judas struggles with Jesus's celebrity: "You've begun to matter more than the things that you say." Later, he resents/repents his unalterable role in helping Jesus become immortal. Plus, he gets the big closing number (in which he descends from heaven, which I think upset some Christians).
There's alot of sadness and suffering in Jesus's last days on earth, even with the kick-ass dance numbers and sparkly costumes. Where's the levity? In the movie and the play, Herod is a hilarious man of excess, without humanity. Haven't we all known this guy? If you're from LA, the answer is yes. Funny. Great parties. Humanity-free. Herod's best line: "Prove to me that you're no fool. Walk across my swimming pool." Fun fact: In the movie, slimy porn star Ron Jeremy is in Herod's posse. He's by the pianist. Naturally.
If I may wax theatrical for a moment, this play was FAB-u-lous. And, generally, I hate musical theater. It's too much with the jazz hands and over-expressive enthusiasm.Unless you are Macauly Culkin or Beyonce, over-the-top facial movements do not work on you. Don't try. You're making jazz hands with a big open-mouthed smile right now, aren't you? Stop that. Plus, organized religion makes me want to scream, ironically, in a Macauly Culkin way.
But, woof. This play. These guys. That music. It's religion, as god intended it.