Overview
Synopsis
Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of biblical Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. A rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical has no spoken dialogue and is sometimes considered a modern rock-opera. Loosely based on the Gospels, Superstar focuses on the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome. Special attention is played to the relationship between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, as well as Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene. The musical is unique among biblical retellings in that it focuses on both Judas’ struggle making the decision to betray Jesus and Jesus’ human psychology, fear, and anger in understanding and accepting his role as both leader and martyr. The show is a product of its era, permeated with 1970’s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, modern language and colloquialisms, and high-energy dance numbers.
Show Information
- Book
- Tim Rice
- Music
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Lyrics
- Tim Rice
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1971
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- biblical era israel
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Religious Groups, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Jesus Christ Superstar has become a musical phenomenon that permeated musical, cinematic, and religious culture. When the original 1970 concept album premiered in the U.S., it made its way to the “Top 10” on the Billboard charts, and was followed by a blockbuster, albeit controversial, 1971 Broadway run. Condemned by religious groups and activists, the hippie-rock musical was met with protests from both Christian and Jewish groups. The show enjoyed successful runs across the U.K. and in
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ACT ONE
In the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas worries that Jesus' popularity has overshadowed, and put at risk, their mission. He expresses his concern that the Romans will retaliate, endangering them all, and accuses Jesus’ followers of being blinded by their enthusiasm ("Heaven on Their Minds"). The group ignores Judas’ concerns, and urges Jesus on to Jerusalem. Jesus resists, hinting that the future is already set. Mary tends to Jesus as he copes with his followers not
to read the plot for Jesus Christ Superstar and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken, Silent, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Overture - Instrumental
- Heaven on Their Minds – Judas
- What's the Buzz – Apostles, Jesus, Mary
- Strange Thing Mystifying – Jesus, Mary, Judas, Apostles
- Everything's Alright – Mary, Women, Judas, Jesus, Apostles
- This Jesus Must Die – Annas, Caiaphas, Apostles, Priests
- Hosanna – Caiaphas, Jesus, Ensemble
- *Simon Zealotes – Simon, Ensemble
- Poor Jerusalem – Jesus
- Pilate's Dream – Pilate
- *The Temple – Ensemble, Jesus
- Everything's Alright (Reprise) – Mary, Jesus
- I Don't Know How to Love Him – Mary
- Damned For All Time/Blood Money – Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Priests
Act Two
- The Last Supper – Apostles, Jesus, Judas
- Gethsemane – Jesus
- The Arrest – Judas, Jesus, Peter, Apostles, Ensemble, Annas, Caiaphas
- Peter's Denial – Maid by the Fire, Peter, Soldier, Old Man, Mary
- Pilate and Christ – Pilate, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble
- King Herod's Song - Herod, *Ensemble
- Could We Start Again Please? – Mary, Peter
- Judas' Death – Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Ensemble
- Trial By Pilate/Thirty-Nine Lashes – Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble
- *Superstar – Judas, Soul Sisters, Angels
- The Crucifixion – Jesus, Ensemble
- John 19:41 – Instrumental
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A method of voice production used by male singers, especially tenors, to sing notes higher than their normal range.
A work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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