By Jonathan Jones
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Jesus Christ Superstar is awful. Now, I know that may seem extreme - but it's just my opinion.
First released as a concept album in 1969, I'm sure the work seemed to be a theatrical revelation. Jesus cavorting with Mary Magdalene. All the accoutrements of late 60s/early 70s rock music. As the work was later developed for the stage (first as a concert, later as a fully staged theatrical work), I'm sure the revelation continued. Unfortunately, as is the case for much of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work, the score is constrained by its ties to that particular rock music from when it was first recorded. Under an insistent and inspired musical director and orchestrator, this could easily be resolved for today's stage - but it would require the commitment and permission of the Really Useful Group, and I'm not sure anyone involved is really for updating the work. So we're stuck - sitting in the theatre - listening to what may as well be an LP of the concept album recorded 43 years ago (which, I might add, I have never heard - but I have listened to enough music for that era during my lifetime to know full well what to expect - the only thing missing are the requisite pops and hisses of the turntable).
Never to shy away from reductive elements in his compositions, we hear bits of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat here and there ("Potiphar" and "Grovel, Grovel" in particular) and Evita is supremely in my consciousness thanks to the film soundtrack and some of Superstar eeked its way into that score a few years later.
Aside from the musical shortcomings, there's the subject matter. Need I say more.
Then, of course, there are the performances - which I'm sure are worthwhile to some, but I was not really moved by any of it. Listening to people do harm to their vocal chords is always uncomfortable for me.
Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.
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