Jesus Christ Superstar - Live Arena Tour

I’ll be upfront, JCS was never one of my favorite shows but it is growing on me and I’m falling in love with it slowly. I bought this DVD and finally watched it two days ago. What an OUTSTANDING production! The voices, the acting, the production elements, all of it was top notch. I only bought the dvd because I saw Mel C was playing Mary, and she nailed it, but was blown away by the rest of the production. Highlights for me was anytime Mel C graced the stage, the unique staging of the Temple scene, and the acting. This show is done often with amazing singers who usually have a hard time expressing any emotion, and I think that’s why I don’t enjoy it. This cast not only has outstanding vocals, but you can tell they all have great acting chops and the director focused not just on the spectacle but also on character development and motivation. Overall this was outstanding and if you’re a JCS fan or just a fan of amazing theatre I highly suggest it.

This is certainly preferable to the abysmal Aussie version from the 90's but the stunt casting of Moyles annoys and Forster really struggles with the high notes... Fixing himself in some kind of manic squeak rather than the guttural screaming of Ian Gillan on the Original Cast Recording or Ted Neeley in the movie. Minchin is good, Mel C (with strangely prophetic crucifix tatt) is excellent, as is Hanson as Pilot. Unfortunately Spano looks like the bad guy from The Incredibles and one just has to laugh... Overall, It's all a bit busy and glitzy and the music disappears behind the spectacle, unlike the recent Regent's Park shows where the cast is stellar and the staging low tech. I'd rather watch the movie from 1973.

The production values (stage, costumes, setting, etc) in this version of Jesus Christ Superstar is outstanding. The entire concept is highly modern and relevant. Unfortunately the signing is gratingly awful, aside from the few notable exceptions who actually any sort of classical training (Pilate, Caiaphas & other Pharisees). For that reason I give it 2 stars. Not sure why they would cast performers with screeching, nasal, flat voices to sing an Andrew Lloyd Weber rock opera, but that's what they did. Pity too since the stage etc were outstanding.

I owned the original vinyl when I was 10 or 12 years old. It has always and will always be my favorite telling of this story. I have listened and watched this masterpiece hundreds upon hundreds of times. It is always my recommendation that you experience this if you have the chance in whatever form presents itself. And this presentation is worthy of your time. This is my review after watching it twice in the last 24 hrs. Ian Gillian has never been equaled as JC and most likely never will be. I was not a fan of Ted Neeley when he played the role in the movie but compared to Ben Forster I must admit to preferring his underpowered performance to one that seemed so forced as well as being underpowered and lacking conviction. Forster is over acting in several places and his vocals, even when good, become secondary. Part of this is magnified because this is a theater production that is being filmed. So you see things much differently than if you were a member of that audience. There are moments that are really good but mostly it is disappointing. In some moments he actually shrinks in confrontations with Judas. Of the three, Forster’s JC is a distant third. Grade C- Tim Minchin’s performance was actually the reason I watched this a second time before the rental expired. I had made up my mind about most of the production but I needed a second look at his Judas which is probably an indicator that I liked it more than I wanted to admit. Murray Head is the voice of Judas but most know Carl Anderson as Judas and he was excellent in the movie but he had some dull spots and Minchin does too. The difference to me is that when Tim is acting it is within the character, believable and adds to the performance greatly. His “Damned for All Time” is not as good as Anderson’s but his “Strange Thing Mystifying” is much much better than Carl’s. Minchin shows true anger for JC and what he perceives as the mistakes that are being made. Grade B+ Melanie Chisholm as Mary Magdalene was gorgeous. I found her sympathetic as a person lost after having been found, if that makes sense. MM struggles with her feelings for JC as a man while knowing he is her Teacher as well. I did not find her performance sterile at all as another reviewer did. In fact, I may well prefer her to Yvonne Elliman in the role. Elliman just always seemed to be sad whereas Melanie goes through many emotions as things progress and it is evident on her face as well as her voice. Grade A Peter was not highlighted as he was in the other renditions. Not sure why so I cannot give a grade. Playing Herod must be such a kick no matter the interpretation because the character is always meant to be completely over the top. Grade B+ Pilate was adequate but I did not feel for him and his plight as I did on the vinyl and in the movie. Grade C+ Annas and Caiaphas were adequate as well but because of the production’s modern setting I am not sure that there was much to be done. Grade C Simon and the Zealots were very plain and not nearly as energetic as they should have been. A disappointing portrayal. C- The production itself had one major flaw that I cannot understand. The use of the staircase as a never changing platform for the entire show held back what is supposed to be a dynamic rock opera. The band is cleverly meshed into the stage and the big screen was used very creatively and well as a scene changing element but that staircase never ever changed. I didn’t appreciate that monolithic presence at all. Grade B I give this five stars because it is Webber and Rice’s JC Superstar. A rock opera without equal ( I love Tommy but it’s not even close.) Nothing will ever compare to the brown covered records of the original but this is well done. And even though the moderned up approach has drawbacks it is thoroughly enjoyable. Would I buy it? No, but it is worth every penny as a rental.

The music will stay with you for days. I can't stop watching. The entire cast is incredible but I am most impressed with Tim Minchin who portrays Judas. His rendition is the best I've ever heard. I even prefer him over the legendary Carl Anderson. His acting along side his perfect vocal simple make the production. Don't miss the show. You won't regret it.

Before getting this I was expecting to be disappointed because I am such a huge fan of the original cast and music, but I was literally amazed by how great it was. I really loved it and will probably watch it a million more times. :)!