Controversy over Jesus Christ Superstar

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' has received many acclimates of excellence but also acts as a pariah for negative attention, dividing theatre goers by its subject matter when, in its essence, it is attempting to unify and educate a modern audience in the 'greatest story of all time'.

Organised religion has suffered bad press for centuries as faith fanatics have isolated and segregated communities. Many have become disillusioned by the almost supernatural claims of belief, in this scientific and logical age. Add to that the boredom that many youth find in the rehashing of the Gospel stories through traditional, liturgical worship and we see that a little knowledge can do a lot of harm. 'Jesus Christ Superstar' sets the age old story against a modern backdrop, revitalising its relevance and asking that if God walked among humanity today would it behave any differently toward the innocent and idealistic King?

The set design is neo-classical mixed with an industrial grudge effect of a fallen and oppressed time when fear of Rome and its powerful hand, held common people in the dirt and dust and rejected free thought and freedom in general, such was the reach of the political and military power.

The music epitomises the idea of a 'rock opera' with strong, heart pulsing beat and bewitching, desperate chords. The mortal representation of Jesus is always a cause for concern but whereas ancient religion praised His divinity, this musical highlights His humanity in the hope of bringing realism to the iconic figure and adding context to the decisions and trials of the story.

Controversially, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' narrates the events leading up to the crucifixion through the eyes of Judas and the amazingly emotionally, exploratory lyrics paint a picture that strays from the discreetness of good and evil, angels and demons and black and white. To play devil's advocate, this perspective is but a theory and the truth will never be known in our lifetimes and the feelings of this hated protagonist are very believable. He was one of 'the Twelve' sought and chosen by a great man; to think that Jesus was ignorant of some vile and greedy motivation in Judas is to discredit his insight into human nature. Judas made a mistake but to say that that makes him wholly evil when he walked with Jesus, worked with Jesus and obviously was loved and a friend of Jesus is, personally, irrational. I don't believe it was an easy decision to betray someone who was such a large and inspiring part of his life and a person's personality and principals don't just get rewritten in a day and the gaining of thirty pieces of silver so why would he do it? Discounting demonic possession or the innate presence of malice, what would make a person change so dramatically?

'Jesus Christ Superstar' says that Judas didn't change, that in his time with Jesus he had a good heart, acted on good intentions and tried to protect and release the misery of his people. When people heard Jesus' message they interpreted it in a very human way, transferring Him onto the perceived idea of the Messiah who would rise in glory and warfare, beating down the nation of oppressors of Israel through force and though Jesus continuously met violence with love, the rabbles were roused, prejudice had contorted into loathing and bayed for desperate, bloody measures. Judas knew that Jesus would not live up to these, oh so human, expectations and knew that the populace would turn on Him. The Pharisees and governing officers of Rome already had Him marked for sedition and treason and soon He would have no allies. Judas needed to protect his friends before they were all killed for following the folly of belief that the world could turn in a day. If they were all massacred then their message would die with them; no one else would dare question the status quo or try to bring liberty, peace and compassion to the starving and impoverished people. Would you have acted any differently? Can you seriously call Judas' betrayal selfish or of bad intention? In fact weren't his actions brave in the face of this impossible choice? Everyone else was caught up in the revelries of the present be he felt the foreboding, the danger and acted in the only way his limited and human understanding could conceive of.

A mistake commonly made is that by trying to emphasise with Judas that you must demonise God. This isn't true and the musical doesn't paint Jesus as anything but a pure, good, selfless and martyred man with, humanly, impossible dreams.

Another issue of contention is the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Walk in her shoes, if you had been saved from demons and felt the love and compassion of this ineffable man, as a human being would you not love him in a way that many not be so pure and 'friendly'? After all, even the Bible, with its metaphors of the bridegroom and marriage proclaims that human union as the closest that inferior and tainted beings can achieve to an unconditional and divine love. As for Jesus returning these feelings, there is no proof either way but even if He did, does that make Him any less worthy? He went through all the other normal structures and sacraments of man. He was a Jewish, He had a job, He had family, belief and temptations, He was human and divine and thus why is it so inconceivable to entertain the possibility that he was married, following the social culture of the time when marriage occurred at a very young age and to reach the age of thirty three and not be married was in the minority? If He couldn't experience human love, how was He capable of divine love when divine love is so, so much more?

'Jesus Christ Superstar' is an emotional, tragic tale that doesn't pass judgement nor dare to assume unerring truth. It is a facsimile, a representation and makes the audience think and view with new eyes, this amazing story.

From a non-religious stand-point you will still cry and shout and be overcome by the action and emotion on the stage. Whether you believe that Jesus was God, or a moral leader or a fairytale, His story is worth knowing and this epic production does its damnedest to do it justice and challenge and speak to the hearts of man.

Jesus
I only want to say
If there is a way
Take this cup away from me
For I don't want to taste its poison
Feel it burn me,
I have changed I'm not as sure
As when we started
Then I was inspired
Now I'm sad and tired
Listen surely I've exceeded
Expectations
Tried for three years
Seems like thirty
Could you ask as much
From any other man?

But if I die
See the saga through
And do the things you ask of me
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me
Nail me to their tree
I'd want to know
I'd want to know my God
I'd want to know
I'd want to know my God
I'd want to see
I'd want to see my God
I'd want to see
I'd want to see my God
Why I should die
Would I be more noticed
Than I ever was before?
Would the things I've said and done
Matter any more?
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord
I'd have to see
I'd have to see my Lord
I'd have to see
I'd have to see my Lord

If I die what will be my reward?
If I die what will be my reward?
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord
I'd have to know
I'd have to know my Lord

Why, why should I die?
Oh, why should I die?
Can you show me now
That I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little
Of your omnipresent brain
Show me there's a reason
For your wanting me to die
You're far too keen on where and how
But not so hot on why
Alright I'll die!
Just watch me die!
See how, see how I die!
Oh, just watch me die!

Then I was inspired
Now I'm sad and tired
After all I've tried for three years
Seems like ninety
Why then am I scared
To finish what I started
What you started
I didn't start it
God thy will is hard
But you hold every card
I will drink your cup of poison
Nail me to your cross and break me
Bleed me, beat me
Kill me, take me now
Before I change my mind

Village Theatre
Jesus Christ Superstar
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Brian Yorkey

Issaquah: May 11 - July 3, 2011
Everett: July 8 - 31, 2011

Jul 8 2011 8:00PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Drum Theatre
Dandenong, VI AUS
Jul 9 2011 8:00PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Drum Theatre
Dandenong, VI AUS
Jul 10 2011 2:00PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Drum Theatre
Dandenong, VI AUS
Jul 13 2011 7:30PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Maltings Theatre
, GBR
Jul 13 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Ferneham Hall
Fareham, Ha GBR
Jul 14 2011 7:30PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Maltings Theatre
, GBR
Jul 14 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Ferneham Hall
Fareham, Ha GBR
Jul 15 2011 7:30PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Maltings Theatre
, GBR
Jul 15 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Ferneham Hall
Fareham, Ha GBR
Jul 16 2011 7:30PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Maltings Theatre
, GBR
Jul 16 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Ferneham Hall
Fareham, Ha GBR
Jul 17 2011 2:00PM JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Maltings Theatre
, GBR
Jul 19 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Lincoln Theatre Royal
, GBR
Jul 20 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Lincoln Theatre Royal
, GBR
Jul 21 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Lincoln Theatre Royal
, GBR
Jul 22 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Lincoln Theatre Royal
, GBR
Jul 23 2011 2:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Lincoln Theatre Royal
, GBR
Jul 23 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Lincoln Theatre Royal
, GBR
Sep 13 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough
Loughborough, Le GBR
Sep 14 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough
Loughborough, Le GBR
Sep 15 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough
Loughborough, Le GBR
Sep 16 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough
Loughborough, Le GBR
Sep 17 2011 2:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough
Loughborough, Le GBR
Sep 17 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Loughborough Town Hall, Market Place, Loughborough
Loughborough, Le GBR
Oct 12 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 13 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 14 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 15 2011 2:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 15 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 17 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 18 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 18 2011 7:45PM Jesus Christ Superstar Wyllyotts Theatre
, GBR
Oct 19 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 19 2011 7:45PM Jesus Christ Superstar Wyllyotts Theatre
, GBR
Oct 20 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 20 2011 7:45PM Jesus Christ Superstar Wyllyotts Theatre
, GBR
Oct 21 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 21 2011 7:45PM Jesus Christ Superstar Wyllyotts Theatre
, GBR
Oct 22 2011 2:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 22 2011 3:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Wyllyotts Theatre
, GBR
Oct 22 2011 7:30PM Jesus Christ Superstar Mercury Theatre
Colchester, Co GBR
Oct 22 2011 7:45PM Jesus Christ Superstar Wyllyotts Theatre
, GBR
Mar 15 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 16 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 17 2012 2:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 17 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 18 2012 5:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 21 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 22 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 23 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 24 2012 2:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS
Mar 24 2012 8:00PM Jesus Christ Superstar Princess Theatre
Launceston, TA AUS