Jesus Christ Superstar by Timothy Sheader

I have watched 'Jesus Christ Superstar' twice — the first in London in 1997 (directed by Gale Edwards), and in New York City in 2012 (directed by Des McAnuff). I didn't expect the third time to be in Singapore. This one is directed by Timothy Sheader.

In this production, we have Luke Street as 'Jesus', Javon King as 'Judas', Erich Schleck as a brilliant 'King Herod', Ethan Hardy Benson is 'Pilate', Grant Hodges and Kodiak Thompson the High Priests 'Ciaphas' and 'Annas'. Our very own Tabitha Nauser and Frances Lee took turns to star as 'Mary Magdalene'. Our matinee saw Tabitha in the role. 

People who are easily offended, please don't bother watching this show. This is art and theatre. It's a work of fiction. If I go farther, then fiction is.... never mind. If our religious organizations are so touchy and annoyed about the authorities allowing this to be shown, stating this show as denigrating to Christianity, then we might as well become a Christian nation, and not allow blasphemy of any sort. In this manner, this show can be offensive to some of the faithful since it paints Jesus more human than divine. Perhaps... it might be that tad anti-Semitic to many in its portrayal of King Herod and Judas, among others, is questionable. 

I'm not keen about musicals. And neither am I hot about Andrew Lloyd Weber's productions. I refuse to pay money for musicals. I grudgingly went because the husband wanted to catch this rock opera mostly because he wanted to hear the songs that Tim Rice composed. And he had complimentary tickets to the show. At least it was a matinee. I didn't have to spend a precious evening watching things I don't quite like.

The show was two hours long, including a 15-minute intermission. At intermission, I had to get a bottle of water and a snack. I was sooo sleepy. Munching on something slowly kept me awake for the second half. I tend to fall asleep at musicals. Sure, I appreciated the live guitars, keyboards, and saxophone, as well as the drums that couldn't be seen, I cannot, with the music. The style of singing and the songs with its easy melodies are very sleep-inducing.