Source: www.speakup.com.br
Language level: Pre-intermediate
Speaker: Chuck Rolando and Jason Birminghan
Standard accent: American
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera. The film version came out in 1973 and it is a “cult movie.” Texan actor Ted Neeley played Jesus Christ: 38 years later he is still playing Jesus in the stage version.
THE ALBUM
The first version of Jesus Christ Superstar came out in 1970. It was an album or “LP” (Long-playing record) Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music and Tim Rice wrote the words, or lyrics. Llyord Webber has written many popular musicals and today he is one of the richest people in Britain. His official title is “Baron Llyord Webber.” Tim Rice is now “Sir Timothy Rice.” Ian Gillian sang the part of Jesus Christ on the album in 1970 he was the lead singer of the rock group Deep Purple he still is today.
THE MUSICAL
In 1971 Jesus Christ Superstar became a musical on stage. It was a show on New York’s Broadway. Critics were negative and religious groups hated it, but the public like it. It closed in 1973, after 711 performances. The show also played on London’s West End. It opened in 1972 and closed after eight years. This was a record.
THE MOVIE
Canadian Norman Jewison directed the film. He’s about to celebrate his 84th birthday. Englishman Melvyn Bragg wrote the screenplay. In 1978 Bragg presented The South Bank Show, a new TV arts programme. It closed in 2010, after 32 years.
The cast of Jesus Christ Superstar included an American singer Carl Anderson, who played Judas Iscariot. Carl Anderson was black and some people didn’t like this: a black Judas Iscariot seemed racist. But it wasn’t a problem for Anderson: he played Judas in the stage version of Jesus Christ Superstar many years later. Unfortunately, he died of Leukemia in 2004. Originally, Ted Neeley wanted to play Judas Iscariot, but he played Jesus. Neeley is still playing Jesus. In the stage version today. He is 67. He said in a recent interview. “in the show I say. My name is nearly through. That ‘s me in life. I don’t know how much time I’ve got.
Liked this posting? Please, promoting for friends...
