Following its success in Broadway theaters, the musical Jesus Christ Superstar arrived in cinemas in 1973.<\/p>\n
And now it has also arrived at I Love Disco. Let us therefore get to know the characters who made this musical, as well as the film, famous.<\/p>\n
Judas<\/b>: Contrary to what one might think, the leading role is not that of Jesus but that of Judas, played by the incredible Carl Anderson. From the very beginning of the film, the figure of Judas has a privileged relationship with the Master (Jesus); he is convinced that he is the only one who understands him and that he is his right-hand man. However, he is scandalized because Jesus does not behave as he would like (accepting the attention of Mary Magdalene, children, and adults); he is therefore perplexed and, at the Last Supper, shouts at him, “I admired you, now I despise you!” Carl Anderson is so skilled in characterizing this controversial figure that his performance earned him two Golden Globe nominations. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of only 54 in Los Angeles on February 23, 2004.<\/p>\n
Mary Magdalene<\/b>: Another character who enhances the dialectical relationship with Jesus is Mary Magdalene. She is played by the highly talented Yvonne Elliman. The intensity with which she experiences her relationship with Jesus is evident in the song “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” in which Magdalene describes being overwhelmed more by a conflict of feelings than by physical attraction for a man, Jesus, and by his intangible uniqueness; looking more closely at the film, particularly in the characterization of Magdalene, she seems to be something more than just a disciple.<\/p>\n
Caiaphas<\/b>: In Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s work, Jesus Christ Superstar, he is played by actor Bob Bingham, who originated the role of Caiaphas in the original Jesus Christ Superstar concert and performed it in the original Broadway production, which ran from 1971 to 1973. Along with Barry Dennen (Pilate) and Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene), Bingham reprised his role in the 1973 film. Caiaphas is the only one in Webber’s work to have clear ideas regarding Jesus and the danger he represents; in fact, he says: “We cannot leave him free; for the good of the country, he must die.” Jesus gives importance to the character of Caiaphas when, at the entrance to Jerusalem, he points out the irrepressibility of the triumph, all accompanied by the poignant “Pilate’s Dream.”<\/p>\n
Pilate<\/b>: He is played by actor Barry Dennen, who had already performed this role with Bob Bingham, almost succeeding in rehabilitating this character in the eyes of the audience; in fact, like Judas, Pilate is also a victim of a divine plan that he tries to subvert from the very beginning of the film.<\/p>\n
Herod<\/b>: He is represented by actor Joshua Mostel who, believe it or not, began his career as a soprano at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Mostel portrays his character in a frivolous and vicious manner, succeeding in making a figure that is rather secondary compared to the other characters stand out.<\/p>\n
Peter<\/b>: Played by Paul Thomas, who was an adult film actor, director, and Hall of Fame member. He is considered one of the most charismatic and experienced actors in the entire adult industry. Paul Thomas first played the role of Peter in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar and only later entered the world of adult cinema.<\/p>\n
A point of interest: the location for the Last Supper was chosen and rented a year before filming. The production paid a local resident to cultivate that piece of land to ensure that, at the time of filming, there would be a meadow surrounded by the desert.<\/p>\n
Finally, we speak of him, Jesus<\/b>: played by Ted Neeley, who rose to fame specifically for playing this role, although many do not know that Neeley signed his first recording contract at just 22 years old; a great friend of Carl Anderson (Judas), it was actually he who recommended Carl to the production. From a narrative perspective, the film seeks to emphasize, often through symbolic elements, certain exclusive characteristics of Jesus “Superstar.” In one of the film’s scenes, a luminous cross descends from the sky onto the amphitheater and carries Judas, who is clinging to it.<\/p>\n
This and much more is Jesus Christ Superstar<\/i><\/b>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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