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It is five days since Easter, and I still have a bad taste in my mouth, from what I was able to watch of "Jesus Christ Superstar--Live!"
Live, schmive, it was a passionless production.
The attempt to conceptualize it failed. Better to do it on an "Our Town" kind of set, and let the singers tell the story. That crucifix floor mirrored David Hare's play, "Racing Demon," which was the only thing about that production I liked.
David and I watched up until the iconic "I Don't Know How To Love Him." The lack of passion in Sara Bareilles' delivery indicates she is just like Joni Mitchell--she writes great music and lyrics, but her songs sound better when covered by others.
Why didn't they get Jessie? Or Audra? Or Celia? Someone who would sing the hell out of it! Even Helen Reddy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or, get the Magdalene of them all, next to the REAL one--Yvonne Elliman!!!!!!!!!!!! She still owns that song, and could do it today far better than Sara.
After this moment, we both gave up. But, one thing I learned.
Anyone playing a prostitute in musical theater is almost guaranteed a great moment. Look at "As Long As He Needs Me" in "Oliver!," "I Dreamed A Dream," in "Les Miz," and "Evita," where one gets a whole show.
I am telling you, prostitutes and nuns sell tickets, and get the best moments. Sign me up to play either, at once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sara LOOKED the part.
But looking is not enough in Musical Theater.
You have to SING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still, the best line of this score is--
"If you'd come today, you would have reached a whole nation.
Israel in 4BC had no mass communication!"
Don't you get me wrong, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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