This is for the early set designs by set designer 金森 馨 Kanamori Kaoru for Gekidnashiki/Shiki Theatre Company.This is for the early set designs by set designer 金森 馨 Kanamori Kaoru for Gekidnashiki/Shiki Theatre Company.
Here is the archive that has stage design images.The Gekidanshiki’s second production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1976 has a page on the same archive web page but in addition to photos and drawings it also has photos of the set model! This could be called the first rendition of the Jerusalem version so a non-kabuki style version.
All are photos are of Shiba except for the bottom right photo which is Kanamori from 2009 I think.
There is a full recording of Shiba’s “Superstar” which he performed for tv posted on to niconico, which I can send the link to if anyone has interest (I try to avoid linking any unofficial video posts, my apologies)
Second row (R->L): Takita1976 (normal costume),Takita1976 (Superstar)
Third row: Kaga as Jesus and unknown Judas on far right in 1979
Costume Notes: So I added some later 70′s and 80′s pics because this Jerusalem version of costumes will change later on. I am unsure when this change occurs but at the latest I know in 2009 they already updated the costumes (it’s hard to find 90′s and 2001 show pics due to results showing a lot of non-Japanese production so my apologies for the vague timeline, I’ll update the post if I find more information).
Production Notes: This is the first of the Jerusalem ver. the other version Japonica comes later in 1987. To clarify this Jerusalem version came about because people thought the 1973 version with it’s kabuki influence was too avant-garde and thus this more “tame” version was created. Well anyway, the Jerusalem version just means they tried to make the setting more realistic. So I have read things here and there, originally it seems Judas was played by Terada Minoru but for only 18 performances? Then he was replaced by Takita Sakae. I will be blunt, I think Terada Minoru sounds awful. When he sings verses it’s not too bad and he seems to have some good melodic flare, but he fails to sing in a shouty/rock way making quite a few of the high notes in songs sound like he’s wheezing or screeching, or hoarse. There is a recording of him online with the rest of 1976 cast, and it’s a pity that’s the only full Japanese album of JCS online because Terada Judas leaves a lot to be desired.
Judas Iscariot, “Heaven on Their Minds”-”Judas’ Death” Costume Judas “Updated Jerusalem Version/ エルサレム・バージョン” ver. (佐久間 仁/Sakuma Jin) Gekidan Shiki Jesus Christ Superstar 2019 (3/4)
Jesus: 神永東吾/Kaminaga Tougo
Mary Magdalene: 山本紗衣/Yamamoto Sae
Production Notes: In 2019 Gekidan Shiki founder Keita Asari passed away and thus this run of JCS was in some way to commemorate what he has given to theatre.
Also just a fun post to highlight how cool the JCS stage is for the Japonica ver. in Japan. They just have a bunch of these adjustable ramps which ensemble members adjust and move throughout the show!
Here’s a link to the gekidanshiki website talking about this, there’s also a video of it in action: 1
Judas Iscariot/イスカリオテのユダ, “Heaven on Their Minds”-”Judas’ Death” Costume Judas “Updated Jerusalem Version/ エルサレム・バージョン” ver. (金森勝/Kanamori Masaru) Gekidan Shiki Jesus Christ Superstar 2009 (1/4)
Costume Notes: A new Jerusalem design! His costume consists of sandals, braided head band, brown trouser a brown short sleeved shirt with a patched worked leather like vest on top. He also has a band around his right wrist. This design stays consistent, so even the most recent production looks like this.
Production Notes: So I know there was a 1994, 2001 Jerusalem production but I’m haven’t really found much on them so I’m unsure when this updated design first was introduced. Additionally, it’s possible this production began in 2008 as I saw some info that there was a Jerusalem production in 2007 or 2008.
There’s a trailer for this version on YouTube with parts of Kanamori’s Heaven on Their Minds and “Judas’ Death.” His “Superstar” and “Judas’ Death” from his run as Judas in the Japonica ver. in 2009 you can find clips posted on YouTube by user xmenetv. Also here’s a clip of just the first part of “Heaven..”
