Just saw an adaptation of Jesus Christ Superstar that floored me.
So it has always meant to be a modern retelling of Jesus leading up to his crucifixion. The music was released in 1970, so the modern references then are sometimes outdated now.
This performance had all of the characters except Jesus on their cell phones for almost the entire show. They would film Jesus and take selfies with him (Jesus would not pose for these, he was simply there while this was happening). A notable example is when characters film Jesus driving people out of the temple. The lepers that seek healing try to take selfies with him as if photos with him will increase their status.
Caiaphas and Annas, the two priests that plot to arrest and kill Jesus, are portrayed as modern influencers. My cast member friend told me their performances and appearance were based on Joe Rogan and a female right podcaster whose name I can't remember. They are always on the far sides of the stage, recording from their desks and never actually participating in the action. Still, their words lead to people turning against Jesus and his eventual arrest and murder. The performers on stage would stop and watch their phones as Caiaphas and Annas sang, watching/listening to their podcasts.
Keep in mind that phones are featured heavily throughout this show. Characters don't mention them, but when characters have them out and when they put them away is a fantastic form of characterization. A great example is when Mary Magdalene walks around to different performers and encourages them to put their phones away during "Could We Start Again, Please?"
Originally, the soldiers that arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane were going to wear vests that had "ICE" displayed on them. The rest of their costumes are like ICE uniforms: vests, camo shirts underneath, and bandana masks. Ultimately, the use of the word "ICE" was eliminated before performances began because it was thought to be laying the idea on very thickly.
One of the soldiers pulled out a gun when Jesus's followers went to resist Jesus's arrest. This is when Jesus tells the soldier to "put away your sword." According to my friend in the show, the younger-looking soldier made a conscious decision to look extremely uncomfortable and upset and not sing along while Jesus is being tortured, as if he was a young person who signed on and is only now realizing what his actions have wrought.
Right after Pilate makes the decision to crucify Jesus, he attaches a camera to some kind of wire above. Jesus was laying on his back on a cross-shaped platform, but the camera showed the audience a birdseye view of Jesus suffering and dying. The screen was right behind this giant cross platform.
What literally had me shaking and practically in tears was the performance of the song "Superstar." I've seen this show twice before (once live, once the TV filmed event), but I had never noticed when this song takes place.
"Superstar" occurs right after Jesus is nailed to the cross. In the TV version (I don't remember the other performance I've seen), Jesus is offstage during this song.
In this production, Jesus is still on the ground, nailed to the cross, while Judas's spirit and other performers literally dance and sing around him. They were dressed in shiny, bright, disco-like costumes. Jesus was dying between them. Caiaphas and Annas were part of this song on their sides of the stage, and they hung disco balls.
I was struck with the thought that this is literally what a megachurch feels like. All of the performance, show, and glamor while the story of Jesus's crucifixion is actually horrific.
The show ends with the characters laying a sheet over Jesus and carrying him offstage.
I am not a religious person, though I was raised in the Assembly of God faith.
This is the first time that I actually appreciated this musical.
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