#jcs 2005

[thelightfluxtastic]

Ok ok ok so I'm watching the Austrian production of JCS because I couldn't resist the siren song of Drew Sarich (The Vampire Chronicles was my first-ever true special interest and I needed to hear Armand voice as Judas). I need to compile all my favorite bits:

His little "sh-sh-sh" when someone tries to interrupt him mid-callout of Jesus

Sort of trying-to-get-between each other action when Mary arrives

The addition of a pointed, angry, frustrated 'Jesus' in "People who are hungry, Jesus- people who are starving-"

After Jesus does the "when I'm gone" line, Judas holds on to his hand for so so long

I was looking for Judas in the crowd in Hosanna, but no, he gets sitting-next-to-Jesus privileges

Singing "there is not one of you that cannot win the Kingdom' AT Judas? With HAND KISS?

What is with Annas aggressive little fan chase?! It's so funny.

Making sure the cup is with Judas on the "this is my blood you drink" line and him seeming to hesitate a second before downing a gulp.

I've rarely heard the "Christ" in "Christ you deserve it" hit quite that angrily, with a little growl/scream

"Jesus, please" and then a blink, his face shifting as if he's just seen/realized something in Jesus' expression. I'm normal. I'm so normal about this.

Little hair stroke before The Kiss

I am not immune to using the fan to lift Judas' chin

Pilate making the most of that swishy cape

I've seen productions where Judas is angel-coded in Superstar, and ones where he's demon-coded. This seems to go for angel wings but red and black color theming.

Blowing a little kiss is A Choice. On the fence for how I feel about it but it felt worth mentioning.

It's not perfect (no version is) but it has rocketed near the top for me, personally.

[uptown-lover]

Do yall wanna hear my analyses on different Judi? Well you're getting it anyways so buckle up. This is not my opinion on portrayals of Judas but a look into their character, though my feelings will probably be obvious. This will most likely be all over the place, cause there's multiple trains of thought going on and I tend to ramble, so bear with me. With that said, enjoy the longest essay I've ever written.

Peter Johansson, 2k14 Swedish Arena Tour

As I've said before, he's probably the most devoted to Jesus as a follower. I think he believes in Jesus as the son of god more than the other Judi, which doesn't say much, but he's the least hesitant. He's up front in Hosanna, pushing the holy shopping cart. His opposition to Jesus' growing notoriety comes across as not just a friend concerned for a friend, but a follower worried about diluting their message.

Alot, if not all, of this interpretation comes from the translated line "Jesus listen to the warning I give, otherwise I can't follow you anymore". The Swedish title of 'Heaven on their mind' ('En Dimmig Himmelsdröm') roughly translates to misty heaven's dream, which reads to me as someone believing in a god but hating what people twisted their teachings into.

Tim Minchin, 2k12 UK Arena Tour

It's interesting that this production puts an emphasis on Jesus and his followers being activists with the beginning news reports and a riot breaking out. It sets quite a vibe that sticks with me for the rest of the show. This isn't just a religious group, these are people fighting for a better world. It makes the conflict more tragic in my eyes. They didn't think through when modernizing and I live with the consequences.

This Judas seems very flighty and pretty reserved. He may get aggressive at points, but he mostly just stews in his feelings and has an outburst later. I think the best example of this is during the last supper. After Judas' first confrontation with Jesus, he attempts to storm out. He cries as he does only to stop himself when he notices Mary, where he then gets angry again a few seconds later. That all leads to the end of the song where Jesus pushes him away again and Judas makes one final angry plea to understand. I think about Judas being more sad and defeated then angry at the end of 'Heaven on Their Mind' quite often.

Drew Sarich, 2k5 Amstetten, Austria

If Peter's Judas believes in a god and that there's a chance that his Jesus is the son of it, Drew's is the complete opposite. His 'Heaven on Their Mind' is the most frustrated I've seen. He is angry, wishing Jesus would listen to him just once. He also cares for Jesus which makes the frustration more palpable. He just wants his friend, not a martyr. I find it interesting that in this version, it seems like Judas and Jesus are equals.

In other shows, Judas always (in my eyes, at least) seems to hold Jesus on some sort of pedestal. Either as a religious leader or proud activist, Judas would put Jesus ahead of him. In this version, there's no sense that Judas is holding back out of respect for a leader. As I've said before, this Judas is more confident and headstrong. He's not afraid to show his anger at the situation Jesus put them in. He's also not against tenderness. He's sweet with kids, and is nothing but gentle with Jesus. When he goes to kiss him, Judas pushes Jesus' hair back. He kisses Jesus' hand. It's clear that everything he's done was out of love, despite how twisted it all became.

Jérôme Pradon, 2k film

What is there to say that hasn't been said before? Jérôme plays Judas as a mischievous little prick with a mean jealousy streak who also happens to care very much about his best friend. He doesn't seem to know how to show he cares. He's all over the place emotionally. I watched an interview with the cast and crew of this production, which described Judas as a hyperactive attention seeking child who can also be mature.

Out of all the Judi, I think Jérôme's is the most.....subservient? Not in a sexual way but he clearly respects Jesus and holds him in high regard. While he can be a shit stirrer, he does just want to help Jesus. He seems quite lost at points when Jesus pushes him away.

[cephal-skin]

some Drewdas AND Drewsus (a lil blood on the second picture)

This guy is amazing......

[criesinsillygoose]

Hi jcs fandom so i’ve found the 2005 amstetten album (everyone clap for the internet archive):

Jesus Christ Superstar 2005 Amstetten Cast Album : Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Cast album of the 2005 Amstetten production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Performed in Austria but still performed in English.Album info:...

(someone bootleg these on Spotify im begging)

[xylomilo]

Feed them !

[flameeagleheart75]

So I first listened to Jesus Christ Superstar as part of my ALW listen through a few years ago and enjoyed it fine but over the last little while I've been listening to it religiously (no pun intended) and oh my god I think it's jumped up my list to being one of my favourite musicals ever.

If you're from a Christian background (Roman Catholic for me, hi) then no doubt you can recite the stages of the cross in your sleep but somehow the interpretation of Jesus's final days as a bombastic, heartbreaking and utterly camp musical is the only one that's truly resonated with me.

Here's my ramblings in no particular order.

(I like a lot of the versions so I'll be using whatever GIFs I can find)

Jesus

Give this man a hug, please.

There's often a lot of tie-pulling over whether humanising Jesus is blasphemous or not but that's a theological debate for another time.

On a personal level?

I adore how JCS portrays how fatigued Jesus is. He knows his ultimate fate and that he can't change it but that doesn't mean that every step towards it is agony. You feel his relief when Mary Magdalene encourages him to just relax and just wants him to take care of himself for once; likewise you feel how overwhelmed he is when he's swarmed in the temple by or his frustration at his disciples not being able to grasp the weight of his words. And after he's screamed at Judas to leave him at the Last Supper and is alone at Gethsemane begging God to just tell him why he has to die after all he's already done, you realise that at the end of the day it's just as Judas says "He's a man, he's just a man, like anyone I know."

Mary Magdalene

While the musical goes with the common pop culture depiction of portraying Mary as a sex worker instead of just another one of the apostles, the effect it has is wonderful. Mary's confused about her feelings but regardless, she comforts Jesus and tries to make him feel at ease. While Judas is in knots about whether Jesus associating with a prostitute contradicts his teachings and that expensive ointment is being wasted, all Mary wants is for the person she cares for to get a good night's sleep.

And I see you "I don't know how to love him" reprise.

Mary is a needed parallel to Judas and serves as one of two people who love (romantically or platonically) Jesus as the man he is.

Speaking of whom-

Judas

Oh my dear, dear Iscariot.

Judas's story raises one of JCS's most poignant questions of "If Jesus had to die, then were Judas's actions truly evil or was he just fulfilling a role in the divine plan?"

From the moment "Heaven on their minds" sounds to the Gospel melodies of "Superstar" you are along for the ride. His disillusionment with Jesus comes from a deep love mixed with the fear for both their people and that the 12 chosen are forgetting their original beliefs. Yet, along the way we see him fighting against his role. In 'Damned For All Time/Blood Money', he struggles both physically and mentally with his conscience. During 'The Last Supper', he threatens to just stay and not carry out the betrayal and it's only when Jesus screams at him to leave that he finally goes.

And don't get me started on the arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Ouch, my heart.

Both of them are ultimately doomed but while Jesus is aware of it and accepts his fate (albeit in a defeated way), Judas only comes to realise his place as a pawn when it comes to the time of his death.

And he is broken. He's disgusted.

What on earth was it all for? Why did God have to choose him of all people?

This is a story of love and grief and the inevitability of life and death but you're along for every step, knowing that you, like the characters are unable to change anything. But regardless, you're invested every step of the way and you hope that maybe things, just once, could be different. But it can't, you know it can't.

Finally the music is absolutely wonderful and I for one would like a return to allowing anachronisms if it's just for fun. (Tim Rice's lyrics, mwah). They can ride on bikes and tanks if they want to.

(Also the 12 getting drunk at the dinner while Judas and Jesus are singing their hearts out at each other makes me laugh.)

Thanks for listening to a bored Bi talk about one of her favourite things. Have a good night.

[fourteentrout]

2005 Amstetten Austria Judas because I love him. Seriously, Drew Sarich kills this role. Uh…no pun intended😅

[uptown-lover]

Wanna share a few of my favorite little moments in my fave jcs productions

Jesus and Judas both trying to stop Simon :} like they failed but hey it's the thought that counts.

The fact that, at this point, Jesus has known that Judas will betray him. Judas knowing what he'll do after the supper and realizing Jesus knew too. Judas and Peter bickering not long after this shot. SwedJCS you are insane and I love you. Someone please put translations on Peter Johansson's JCS videos and I will owe you my life.

Ghost Judas having a little too much fun haunting his best friend/maybe lover in the afterlife. Buddy your kinda boyfriend/best friend is getting crucified why are you pulling that face???

Jesus climbing to join Judas. Judas pushing him away. Jesus getting sad at the distance but accepting it. JCS 2k you will always drive me insane and have a place in my heart.