The Show:

Jesus Christ Superstar is an important show in

theatre history. It was written by Andrew

Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice and was first

released in October 1970.

It is still very popular and is regularly

performed by professional and amateur

companies.

The show has a liberal interpretation of the

Bible story and has caused some controversy

over the years. Protests have sometimes been

very strong - there has even been a case of a

theatre being deliberately burned down

where Superstar was being staged.

The Characters:

The three main characters are Jesus,

Judas (one of Jesus‘ Apostles, who

acts as a kind of narrator) and Mary

Magdalene (an ex-prostitute who

changed her ways because of Jesus).

Other main characters are Pontius Pilate,

Herod, Caiaphas and the Jewish Priests. The

Apostles also feature. These were a group

of twelve disciples (close followers) of Jesus

who were sent out to spread the word of the

gospel.

The Story:

The work tells the story of the last seven days

of Jesus’ life. It describes his entry into

Jerusalem and the fear and hostility that his

preaching and popularity cause among the

Jewish religious leaders. The Chief Priest,

Caiaphas wanted Jesus killed because he was

challenging traditional beliefs. Caiaphas also

believed that Jesus’ followers’ claim that he

was the Messiah was blasphemous

(disrespectful to God).

Jesus stirred up huge emotions among his

followers in the three years that he was a

preacher. They believed he was the son of

God (the Messiah) and that he would free

Israel from the Romans.

Judas betrays Jesus by telling the Priests

where they will find him – in the Gardens of

Gethsemane, (following the “Last Supper”).

Jesus is arrested and taken to Pilate, a Roman

governor who sends him on to Herod, king of

the local region Judea. Herod decides that the

Romans should deal with Jesus since they

have overall control of Israel so Jesus is sent

back to Pilate who first orders him to receive

thirty nine lashes and then, due to pressure

from the Jews, has him crucified.

Crucifixion was a punishment that was

normally reserved for criminals. It involves

nailing the victim to a cross made of two

pieces of wood and leaving them to die a

slow and agonizing death.

Judas is filled with remorse for

betraying Jesus and commits

suicide. However in the show Judas

return at the end to sing the well-

known title song “Jesus Christ

Superstar”.

Rock Opera:

Rock Musicals and Rock Opera were first written

in the late 1960’s. Examples are Hair, Joseph and

Godspell.

Rock Opera combines the structure of opera with

elements of rock music. Some of these are listed

below:

Opera Rock Opera

Recitative Amplified guitars

Aria Drum kit

Ensemble Amplified voices

Chorus Syncopated rhythm

Overture Improvisation

Orchestra Electric Keyboards

Most often there is no spoken dialogue in rock

opera, everything is sung. Because of the loudness

of the instruments the voices need to be amplified

(or ‘mic-ed’) in order to heard. The singers use

rock -style singing rather than the classical style of

opera.

Sometimes the band will include orchestral as well

as rock instruments.

Overture:

The term Overture comes from Opera. An

overture is a piece of music that begins a

concert or show. The job of the overture is to

set the mood of the show and, sometimes, to

introduce the musical themes that will be

used later in the performance.

Listening Questions:

1. Which instrument plays the solo at the

beginning?

2. Describe the singers’ music which comes

in at the end of the piece.

3. Write down four words that describe what

you think the mood of the show is going to

be after having heard the overture.

Heaven On Their Minds:

This is the first vocal number of

the show. Here are some of the

lyrics (words) that are sung,

read them through:

My mind is clearer now

At last, all too well

I can see where we all soon will be

If you strip away

The myth from the man

You will see where we all soon will be

Jesus!

You’ve started to believe,

The things they say of you

You really do believe

This talk of God is true

And all the good you’ve done

Will soon be swept away

You’ve begun to matter more Than the things

you say

Listen Jesus I don’t like what I see

All I ask is that you listen to me

And remember – I’ve been your right hand man

all along

You have set them all on fire

They think they’ve found the new Messiah

And they’ll hurt you when they find they’re

wrong

I remember when this whole thing began

No talk of God then we called you a man

And believe me –

my admiration for you hasn’t died

But every word you say today

Gets twisted ‘round some other way

And they’ll hurt you if they think you’ve lied

Nazareth your famous son should have stayed

the great unknown

Like his father carving wood

He’d have made good-

Table, chair and oaken chest

Would have suited Jesus best

He’d have caused nobody harm

No one alarm…

Interpretation Questions:

1. Which character sings this song?

2. What does right hand man mean?

3. Name Jesus’ home town.

4. Why is the singer telling Jesus to

be careful?

5. What does the line “You have set

them all on fire” mean?

6. What line suggests that the singer does

not believe that Jesus is the Messiah?

Listening Questions;

The piece is based on an Ostinato – a

repeated musical idea that is played

throughout. In this piece the ostinato is

introduced right at the beginning.

1. Which instruments play the ostinato?

2. List two ways that the word “Jesus” is

emphasized by the singer.

3. There is a short instrumental break after

the singer’s introduction. Which

instruments join in for the first time here?

4. How many beats are there in each bar in

the introduction and the first two verses?

5. How many beats in each bar for the

bridge section – where you hear

“Nazareth your famous son should have

stayed a great unknown…”

6. When the singer sings “if we go too far”

and “it’s all gone sour” his music is

marked ad lib. Explain what you think this

means.

7. List the three main instruments that play in

this song. State whether these are rock or

classical instruments.

8. List three other instruments that play in

Answer these questions after you have read

the information sheet.

1. Andrew Lloyd-Webber is the composer of

Jesus Christ Superstar and Tim Rice is the

lyricist. What is the difference?

2. Explain the difference between amateur

and professional theatre.

3. What does Messiah mean?

4. Why do you think some people did not

like the show when it first came out?

5. Which empire controlled Israel at the

time?

6. Why did Caiaphas want Jesus killed?

7. Who betrays Jesus?

8. How does Judas respond to the crucifixion

of Jesus?

9. Write your own definition of Rock Opera.

10. Look at the list of instruments in the show

divide them into a list of Rock and

Orchestral instruments.

Design a set for a stage production of Jesus

Christ Superstar. You need to consider the

following in your design:

• An area needs to be set aside for Jesus and his Apostles where they can sit down,

sleep and talk.

• A cross is needed for the crucifixion.

• The Jewish Priests need a platform that separates them from the other characters.

• Pilate, the Roman Governor, needs an elevated area.

• Some floor space needs to be kept flat for dancing.

Try and give an indication of height in your

design and remember to mark the exits and

entrances clearly.

this song. State whether these are

classical or rock instruments.

9. What style of music is this piece?

Hosanna:

This vocal number is sung by Jesus, Caiaphas

and the Chorus – who represent Christ’s

followers. The song depicts Jesus’ triumphant

entry into Jerusalem. The word Hosanna is

Hebrew for “Lord, save us”.

Listening Questions:

1. Which brass instruments are heard in the

introduction?

2. What kind of mood does the chorus create

when they sing “Hosanna”?

3. Describe the pitch of Caiaphas’ voice.

4. Which instruments accompany Caiaphas’

singing?

5. Who are the “rabble” that Caiaphas refers

to?

6. When does the music slow down?

7. When does the music change key into a

higher pitch?

8. What kind of mood does Jesus create in

his solos?

You may have noticed that certain sections of

“Hosanna” were similar while others had

different musical material. Use letter “A” for

the sections that were similar and “B” and “C”

for those that use different musical ideas.

Which of the following represents the

structure (or form) of the song:

A. ABACAB

B. ABACACA

C. ABACA

Jesus Christ Superstar:

This song is probably the most well-known of

the music in the show. It comes near the end

of the show. Judas is the main singer in this

song.

Listening Questions:

1. This is an example of a title track. Why?

2. List three orchestral instruments that you

can hear in the introduction.

3. What style of music is heard when Judas

sings with the female backing singers?

4. Describe the tempo (speed) of the verses.

5. Where is the quietest section of the piece?

6. Where is the loudest section of the piece?

7. What is the overall mood of this piece of

music?

8. What is Judas’ attitude to Jesus in this

piece?