This "JC Superstar" deal is fanTAStic - some theological quibbles

[UTUSN]

Senor LLoyd-Webber or (lyricist?) - in the MAIN STOPPER song, Ms Magdaline is *still* (at the late date of whatever decade) portrayed as a whore: "I've had SO MANY men" -

------------- This production is *doing* it!1

[justgamma]

1. They are doing the one thing that drives me nuts!

In most of the songs the music is so loud,you can't hear the words. The words are important if you're telling a story.

[TrogL]

6. Its rock. Thats the default balance

I’ve been in performances mixed your way and grandmothers were saying “turn it up”.

[Loki Liesmith]

2. Shes portrayed as a whore because thats the part that was written

And because Christian tradition has considered her such for centuries. Most likely erroneously. But it’s there and that’s the part. Changing it would lessen the role.

[UTUSN]

3. Correct, haven't seen it since the '70s, time warp, like hair/fly-in-soup!1

[mountain grammy]

4. Its great. Im enjoying it.

[UTUSN]

5. U & me, both!1

[UTUSN]

7. Theology aside, gotta ('cause it's me/gotta) say, production fanTAStic (now with the crucifixion)

Look, I'm a sorta Existentialist/secular-humanist/agnostic/atheist-whatever, but looking at art, this is fanTAStic!1

*******************
ON EDIT: Oh, forgot:: "Lapsed Catholic" - but played in the high school BAND!1

[AnnieBW]

8. Since it's April Fool's Day

I heard that they changed the ending so that Jesus lives!

[UTUSN]

9. In the Julian? or Gregorian?!1

[msongs]

10. its all made up fiction. fiction has no qubbles nt

[UTUSN]

11. Uh, "fiction" / "art" / "theology" - all whatever, no?!1

[uriel1972]

13. Awwww poor fiction...

Imagine not having any qubbles... they are so cute and friendly!

[cilla4progress]

12. Two words

Closed caption. 👍👍👍

[NewJeffCT]

17. yes - that was helpful

that said, except for a few microphone problems, I thought the vocals were pretty easy to hear. Even the minor parts seemed to feature strong singers, which I have not seen in other televised musicals in recent years.

[malthaussen]

14. Oh, I'll quibble with your quibble...

... if "having many men" makes a woman a whore, then it must follow that "having many women" makes a man one. In which case, JC was probably the biggest whore of all -- considering how many groupies he had.

I still think the musical does a decent job of portraying things from Judas's side. Would be interesting to actually talk to the man and find out what was really going through his head at the time. 30 pieces of silver is chicken feed.

-- Mal

[UTUSN]

15. AANnnnd your quibble *WINS*!1 That said,this was a gorgeous production &the melodies totally hold up

Haven't found any reviews

[UTUSN]

16. Here's a review of the work in general.

Last edited Mon Apr 2, 2018, 11:52 AM - Edit history (2)

Gotta say, never saw the phrase, "which is Jesus' big number," before.


**********QUOTE******

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/04/02/nbcs-live-superstar-rose-up-from-its-own-chaos-and-found-salvation-in-the-end/?utm_term=.367a19d33ca1

NBC’s live ‘Superstar’ rose up from its own chaos and found salvation in the end

.... “Superstar” is tricky in a number of ways, from costumes to staging to intent — lean too far in one direction, and it can seem heretical. Lean too far another way, and it gives off the slightest whiff of the anti-Semitic. Lean another way, and it’s a flat-out depressing show, featuring a Jesus who only screams at his friends and followers, a Messiah who is overwhelmed by lepers and angry at God, with a Judas who is driven to betrayal and suicidal apoplexy over his friend’s obstinate path. ....

*******UNQUOTE********

[UTUSN]

18. Fergit the theology, this was *stunning stagecraft*