2 of 15

Creation and Performances

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera, Cats) and Lyrics by Tim Rice (Aladdin, The Lion King, Aida)
Based on the Gospels’ accounts of the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion
Originally released as a concept album in 1970
Premiered on Broadway in 1971. The musical has been revived on Broadway three times - in 1977, 2000, and 2012
First film was released in 1973. A second film version was released in 2000, and a live televised production aired in 2018 (starring John Legend and Sara Bareilles!)

slidesmania.com

3 of 15

Main Characters

Jesus Christ� (Ted Neeley)

Judas Iscariot �(Carl Anderson)

Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman)

Caiaphas� (Bob Bingham)

Pontius Pilate�(Barry Dennen)

slidesmania.com

4 of 15

Jesus as a religious figure VS Jesus as an activist leader

Jesus as the son of God VS Jesus as a man

The musical leaves itself open to many interpretations.

It is your choice what lens to view it through!

slidesmania.com

5 of 15

What does Judas reveal that he is afraid of in the song “Heaven On Their Minds”?

What lyric(s) stand out to you the most in revealing his thoughts, and why?

Journal Prompt

slidesmania.com

6 of 15

Based on Judas’ reaction in “Everything’s Alright”, what are some adjectives you could use to describe his character? What does this situation tell us about who he is and what he believes?

Journal Prompt

slidesmania.com

7 of 15

How can Music reflect emotion?

Instruments

Pitch

Speed

Volume

Harmonies

What kind of instruments are playing in the background? (Ex. Guitar, Drums, Horns, Strings) Are there many, or just one?

How high or low are the notes? Are there big changes in pitch, or do they stay in the same general area?

Is the music fast or slow? Do the singers and the instruments have the same speed, or different?

How loud or soft the music is. Does the volume change? Do different singers or instruments play at different volumes?

When multiple musical notes/pitches are being played or sung at the same time.

Things to listen for:

slidesmania.com

8 of 15

What emotions does Jesus feel while he is helping the poor and sick? How does the music and singing change to address each of these emotions?

Journal Prompt

slidesmania.com

9 of 15

There is a moment in “I Don’t Know How �To Love Him” where the instruments (strings and horns) take over the melody.

What does this add emotionally and/or psychologically to the song? What about the music gives you this feeling?

Journal Prompt

slidesmania.com

10 of 15

What is Jesus processing as he sings “Gethsemane”?

“Gethsemane”

What emotions does Jesus go through in this song?

How does the music change to reflect his emotional journey?

Discuss:

Make a list as you listen.

What instruments, pitch, speed, volume, or other changes make you think of that emotion?

slidesmania.com

11 of 15

As Judas sings the reprise of “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”, what do you think he is realizing? What emotions is he feeling?

Journal Prompt

slidesmania.com

12 of 15

Was Rock Music a good choice to use for telling this story?

Sometimes using that style of music made things confusing
Instrumental music had too much going on, too many different sounds
Not enough dialogue
Rock music is an anachronism - not realistic
Loud, Chaotic, all over the place
Rhythms and the lyrics didn’t match

Songs fit the situation in tone
Music was able to show emotions
Made the story more interesting
Easy to hear and understand
Good beats/rhythms
Uses a variety of sounds and Instruments - piano, woodwinds, strings, guitar, drums
Brought in a new audience

Pros

Cons

STUDENT RESPONSES!

slidesmania.com

13 of 15

Anachronisms in Jesus Christ Superstar

Sunglasses

Shoes/Sneakers

Bus

Metal scaffolding

Guns

Tank tops, Army pants

Mirrors

Paper money

Glasses

Hangers

Postcards

Piano

Floating Platform

Bikini

T-shirts

Fishnet stockings

Bodysuit

Printed sign

Machine gun

Joint

High Heels

Style of dancing

Tanks

Jet planes

Makeup

Crop tops

Necklaces/Jewelry

Glasses

slidesmania.com

14 of 15

Was the concept of combining modern and ancient visual elements successful?

The modern elements were not realistic to the time period of the story
It was obvious what “belonged” and what didn’t, they could have done a better job at blending the two
Including the modern elements didn’t always make sense for the story
Dancing - not true to the time period
Can’t relate to the ancient elements or don’t understand them
Anachronisms could be confusing

Some scenes were improved by including the modern elements
Shows that classic and modern can both be good things
Allowed the audience to recognize the time period
Location - similar to where Jesus lived
Style of clothes - specific to character, gave information to the audience
Dancing - communicated meaning
Modern elements could allow more people to relate

Pros

Cons

slidesmania.com

15 of 15

Credits.

Presentation Template: SlidesMania

Sample Images: Unsplash

Fonts used in this presentation: Epilogue and Spicy Rice

slidesmania.com