Musical Review: Jesus Christ Superstar Live

I am not really a fan of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, but I am a fan of the musical: Jesus Christ Superstar.

I don’t know, but there’s something about it that just calls to me. I grew up hearing the movie version of it and I love it. I love, most of all, the way the characters have such human personalities. It is very easy to feel and understand what they were going through singing along those wonderful lyrics. I love singing every single one of the songs (well, most of them, there are exceptions, like the market scene and “Christ You Know I Love You”, I’m not so fond of that one).

Everyone from the priests, Pilate, Judas, Jesus… everyone, even Herod, have a special place in my heart just by hearing them sing with such passion.

So, when they announced the live musical starring John Legend, I was psyched.

John Legend. I know he’s supposed to be awesome and all, and I could see him in the beginning as Jesus, but I didn’t buy it. Trust me, I wanted to buy it, but I couldn’t.

Everybody else in the play did an excellent job; especially, in my opinion, Judas. You could just taste his pain, really you could. Excellent actor. But Mr. Legend… half the time I couldn’t decide if he was suffering or smiling about his situation. I didn’t think he had the right range of voice for the Gethsemane song, did you? I’ve heard other versions, and Jesus is supposed to rock it in that one. Heck, I love screaming with him as I sing along with him in the car. John Legend just didn’t make me feel much, to tell the truth.

If not for him, this musical would have been perfect for me. I loved watching the sets and the way the actors moved around it (and even the musicians). And I loved Judas, did I mentioned that?

So, I will be listening to Gethsemane and more in the car tomorrow… and I will be screaming with Jesus, Judas and the rest of the cast.

cheers!