“What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s a-happening …
Many of us remember that catchy number early in the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical Jesus Christ Superstar. It’s a query from the local peasants regarding a new charismatic guru, Jesus; at CVRep, it shows we’re in the midst of a wonderful theatrical experience—because the production is superb.
When Rice and Webber could not find a producer for the show in 1970, they created an 87-minute concept album instead. Controversy swirled around the production when it finally opened on Broadway on Oct. 12, 1971, and Webber called opening night “probably the worst night of my life.” Nearly a million dollars in tickets were sold in advance—but the religious protests were intense. Some Christians felt the depiction of Jesus was disrespectful, in part because Judas came across as a sympathetic character. Others considered the use of rock music to tell the story of Jesus’ last days improper.
Despite the uproar, Jesus Christ Superstar ran for nearly two years on Broadway, and it went on to become a worldwide hit…”
[Read the full review at cvindependent.com]