'Jesus Christ Superstar' Is A Musical For Christians And Non-Christians Alike
Start writing a post
Entertainment

'Jesus Christ Superstar' Is A Musical For Christians And Non-Christians Alike

What ​Hamilton​ did for hip-hop in theater, ​Jesus Christ Superstar​ did for rock.

105
'Jesus Christ Superstar' Is A Musical For Christians And Non-Christians Alike
YouTube

It has been said by none other than Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer of Jesus Christ Superstar (or JCS, for short) that the show is at its best when it is as close to a rock concert as possible.

Even though it's been almost 50 years since the show's first performance, it's important to realize just how revolutionary and modern JCS is. The music truly is rock, and it rose to prominence during a time that Broadway was greatly lacking in genre diversity.

What Hamilton did for hip-hop in theatre, Jesus Christ Superstar did for rock.



While the incredible score, lyrics, and numerous excellent productions have all shown the grounding power of this ground-breaking musical, there is one thing that really cements its place as a legend in the musical theatre world: the story.

No matter how great all the other elements are, without a fantastic story, there wouldn't be much of an audience. Luckily for JCS, the story of Jesus Christ is one of the most well-known stories on the planet and a central part of so many individuals' lives and identities.

But what makes this version non-traditional? And what makes it a show that is enjoyable for Christians and Non-Christians alike?

The answer is simple: perspective.

For people who are unfamiliar with the show, Superstar is just as much Judas Iscariot's story as it is Jesus's story. The audience sees the show through the lens of Judas and it creates an environment where the show isn't taking sides.


What I mean by this is that the show never outright declares Jesus as "God" or "The Son of God," but it doesn't deny these claims either. It leaves it up to the audience to decide. Of course, there are some glaring factors that affect how strong any bias in the show really is: namely the message the director wants to send, and the portrayal of Judas.

Following the text of the show itself, Judas should not be portrayed as a heartless, villainous monster, but rather as Jesus's close friend, who develops a conflict with him over the fact that Judas does not believe Jesus to be the Son of God, but merely a man. It is important for the show to portray the more human aspects of Jesus as well so that Judas's message can come through stronger, and the audience can be more sympathetic towards him.


Of course, the knowledge and opinions people have of Jesus Christ will influence the way they view the show...and no matter how sympathetic the show tries to make the character of Judas Iscariot, there will always be those viewers who will only ever see him as a vile betrayer.

While Christians may be the main audience initially attracted to the show based on the name, some Christians who watch it might actually dislike the show because it isn't in line with their view of the Passion of Jesus.

That said, people of all religions and faiths can appreciate the show for its unbiased portrayal of the final days of Jesus's life, it's amazing rock music, and it's wonderful to focus on relationships.

I only hope that Jesus Christ Superstar: Live in Concert builds on the great legacy of JCS and that the show has a great success. That said, if it doesn't live up to expectations, one performance doesn't define an entire body of work.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71112
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132839
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments