Ted Neely, 64, who has been performing this role for nearly forty years, is absolutely stunning in the role of Jesus, which requires an enormous amount of both technical skill and emotional maturity in order to pull it off to any satisfaction. I told Ted in our interview last year that I need for him to continue...
I highly recommend the current production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar touring with Ted Neeley, the original star of the 1971 Norman Jewison film version.
Ted Neely, 64, who has been performing this role for nearly forty years, is absolutely stunning in the role of Jesus, which requires an enormous amount of both technical skill and emotional maturity in order to pull it off to any satisfaction. I told Ted in our interview last year that I need for him to continue performing this role ad infinitum, as there is no other actor alive right now that I feel can suitably sing the role correctly for the hardcore Jesus Christ Superstar fans around the world. When Ted Neeley screams out to God with his four-octave range, you really feel it! As Ted showcased his powerful vocals in “Gethsemane” cheers began to swell throughout the house long before the song had ended in a rousing explosion of support for the gifted “superstar”.
Judas, played by Corey Glover (lead singer of the Grammy-winning band Living Colour), also blew the audience away with his dynamic singing range and surprisingly high level of acting ability. Really, I have seen Corey play this role three times and each time I am awed not only by his rich, fantastic singing voice, but by the way he allows it to crack with heartfelt emotion in just the right places, displaying his real depth as a dramatic actor.
If you are a fan of Jesus Christ Superstar, you must see this current production as it comes through your town. It has it all - from beautiful, young dancers, to a classic quality score and two of the most gifted, mature renderings of the Jesus and Judas characters you will ever witness.
