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.
