posted
My favorite musical. True, because of my lot, I have been to very few (read: 0), but the movie version is fantastic enough.
Let's start in the...start.
Overture:
Basic. Simple musical preview of the entire rock opera about to come. That said, it's pretty damn good by itself. You can already feel the tension and power in here.
My favorite part of it is the end, for the last 30 seconds or so, with the "calm before the storm" wailing in the background.
Heaven on their Minds:
Bang! We jump right into the action, with Judas revealing his intentions. He "can see where [they] all soon will be" -- crushed by the Romans.
He's worried that Jesus has lost his grip. And that all the good he's done "will soon be swept away."
Here it is. The reason for Judas to become a traitor. Making the matter worse, Jesus refuses to reply. Instead Judas simmers in his own worries.
For now, he's still with Jesus. And had Jesus spoke now, he would have almost certainly not done what he will later do.
What's The Buzz:
Jazzy, razzy, and a chance for Jesus to be enigmatic. Not much more here. The people want war; he wants nothing. Mary makes an apperance here.
What's interesting is how Judas sees the whole Mary thing. Mary is coming only to "cool down" Jesus's "face a bit."
And Jesus says about her "she's always try to give me what I need right here and now."
With this in mind, we can see why Judas then goes on to say...
Strange Thing Mystifying:
Judas has this whole notion about Jesus, and his affection with Mary hardly fits in--"but she doesn't fit in well with what you teach and what you say". Furthermore, he worries that any odd behavior on Jesus's part will lead to them being "put away."
To put it rather bluntly, Jesus tells him to f*** off. Judas remains silent in face of this, his worry remaining inside.
*continued next post*
Posts: 3060 | Registered: Nov 2003
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Now another element is introduced--that of the Jewish leadership. They are worried about Jesus, and his galvanizing effect, especially what the Romans will do.
Already we see a theme. The worry of the Romans interciding is the primary motivation for the two major parties that lead to his death.
Everything's Alright:
Wow. Mind boggling piece. Pure conflict.
Here we have two mind frames, Mary's and Judas's. One of peace, calm, and sleeping easily. The other of Romans, charity, and fear.
Mary takes the start, rubbing Jesus with ointments and serendaing him to sleep.
Judas breaks in, saying "woman, your fine ointments [...] should have been saved for the poor!"
This is an interesting area for him to focus on. Judas cares about the poor. This is one of the elements that make this production so tragic.
Judas acts almost always for fear of what will happen to other people around him!
Then Jesus breaks in, shouting at Judas.
Finally, the conflict "ends" with Mary singing of peace--only this time, the singing is fully ironic.
This Jesus Must Die:
The priests are still undecided. But then they see Jesus come into town with his "rabble." The immensity of the celebration disorients them, and they decide "this Jesus must die."
Has some great bits. "That man is in town right now to whip up some support" -- supported by some great music.
posted
You are going to give me nightmares...no joke, really.
I got stuck as a child in a room that had the soundtrack of JCSS playing over and over. Every time I would fall asleep, the record (yes, I remember vinyl...and not just in parachute pants) would go to the beginning number...
And would wake me playing /..."JESUS CHRIST!...SUPER STAR!....."
terrifying me.
To this day, when i hear thae opening of that damn song I get really weirded out....goose bumps all down my spine...and not in a good way....
posted
I love this musical, it's one of my favourites. One thing I love about it is how it doesn't portray Judas as this slimey man who was nothing more than the devil incarnate, which is the vibe I tend to get from most other takes on him (if only because they only show him for a few moments during which he betrays Jesus). I think my favourite song in this musical (besides possibly the theme) would be the Last Supper, it's great.
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2004
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