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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
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
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

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jesus Christ

Lead

Male

Tenor

Judas

Lead

Male

Tenor

Mary Magdalene

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Peter

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Simon Zealotes

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Caiaphas

Supporting

Male

Bass

King Herod

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Pontius Pilate

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Annas

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Ensemble

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

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Scenes

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