About the work
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock musical „Jesus Christ Superstar" was first published as a concept album in 1970 — the album was a Number-1 hit before any stage version existed. The Broadway premiere followed in 1971. The work tells the last seven days of Jesus from the perspective of his disciple Judas Iscariot.
Plot
Judaea, 33 AD. Judas worries that Jesus's growing popularity will provoke the Romans and undermine the religious-political balance. He betrays Jesus to the high priests. Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph („Hosanna"); throws the moneylenders out of the temple („Stone the temple, smash the wall"); is anointed by Mary Magdalene with oil. Judas hands Jesus over to the soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane for thirty pieces of silver, then hangs himself. Jesus is brought before Pilate and Herod. After torture and the people's vote („Crucify him!") Pilate sentences him. Jesus is crucified. The musical poses the title question „Jesus Christ Superstar — / who are you, what have you sacrificed?" but offers no theological answer. The closing cross-tableau lasts in silence.
Cultural significance
Jesus Christ Superstar revolutionised the rock musical and was the foundation of Lloyd Webber's career. Songs „I Don't Know How to Love Him" (Mary Magdalene), „Gethsemane" (Jesus), „Superstar" (Judas) became charts hits. Norman Jewison's 1973 film, the 2000 TV film with Glenn Carter, and the 2018 NBC live broadcast with John Legend have kept the work in pop culture. Productions worldwide — from Broadway to Tokyo — make it one of the most-performed rock musicals.