What inspired the creation of Jesus Christ Superstar?

The musical originated as a concept album in 1970, driven by Webber and Rice's struggle to stage it live.

Why was Jesus Christ Superstar considered controversial?

It presented Jesus as human and Judas as sympathetic, omitting the resurrection entirely—stirring religious critique.

Who played Jesus in the 2018 live NBC production?

John Legend portrayed Jesus, bringing soul, warmth, and vulnerability to the role in a modern staging.

How long did the original Broadway run last?

The show ran for 711 performances from 1971 to 1973 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York.

Is Jesus Christ Superstar still being performed today?

Yes. Recent revivals include the 2021 North American tour and a bold 2022 West End reimagining.

Jesus Christ Superstar Lyrics – All Songs from the Musical

Jesus Christ Superstar Lyrics: Song List

About the "Jesus Christ Superstar" Stage Show

On Broadway, the show was exhibited in 1971; before that, a recording of the rock opera on vinyl was released. Due to the immense popularity of the album, it was decided to make a musical, which became incredibly famous. Mark Hellinger Theatre hosted the show. Jeff Fenholt played the main role. For the first time, the show closed after 2 years & 700+ performances. Some felt the show was too protuberant, while others found it graceful and consistent. Anyway, the play attracted a lot of attention. Andrew Lloyd Webber, the creator of it, for some reason, did not like the original spectacle, which he considered a poor implementation of his ideas, even though the show was nominated for five Tony Awards (though it didn’t win any).

Scene from Jesus Christ Superstar track by Musical Cast — Visual effects scene from 'Jesus Christ Superstar' enhancing the experience of the song words and music.

In London in 1972, under the leadership of Jim Sharman, the spectacle lasted 8 fantastic years! At that time, it was an absolute record for the duration of the musical in the UK, with much notable success than on Broadway. Dmitri Shostakovich, the outstanding Belarusian-Polish composer, also attended performances and admired the grace and majesty of the music notes’ overflow, of brass, strings & woodwind.

Other notable stagings of this production were: North America in 1971, Sweden in 1972 (for 5 days only), South Australia in 1972 for 1 day, Melbourne (during 1972-1974), Paris (1973 in Théâtre de Chaillot, for 1 month), Mexico, Peru, and Singapore in 1974, US touring in 1976-1980. The revival was made on Broadway in 1977-1978. Venezuela saw the musical in 1981, with a fantastically huge cast of 163 people. It went to Austria for 3 years, from 1982, and it has also been in Asia and Australia. The Broadway revival was in 1992, New Zealand hosted it in 1994, US small tour was in 1994. In 1996, it went to the Lyceum Theatre in Great Britain, followed by a tour in the UK the same year. It continued from 2002–2012 in various countries.

In recent news, "Jesus Christ Superstar" has seen a resurgence of interest, particularly with the 2018 NBC live television production, which starred John Legend as Jesus, Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, and Alice Cooper as King Herod. This production was widely praised for its contemporary take on the classic musical and brought a new generation of fans to the show.

In 2021, a 50th-anniversary North American tour was announced, celebrating the enduring legacy of the musical. This tour featured updated staging and technology while remaining faithful to the original score and lyrics. The tour has been met with enthusiastic audiences and critical acclaim, demonstrating the show's timeless appeal.

Additionally, a new West End production opened in 2022, directed by Timothy Sheader, which incorporated innovative set designs and modern choreography, adding a fresh perspective to the beloved musical. This production has been lauded for its bold artistic choices and has attracted a diverse audience.

Release date: 1971
Last Update: June, 02nd 2025

History of Creation: Jesus Christ Superstar (1971 Musical).

Musical Cast, Jesus Christ Superstar lyrics — Musical Cast singing the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in the music video.

The Birth of a Rock Opera Phenomenon.

Musical Cast performing Jesus Christ Superstar — Performance of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' by Musical Cast in the music video.

It didn’t begin on Broadway. Jesus Christ Superstar first arrived as a concept album in 1970. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice couldn’t find financial backers for a stage production. So they flipped the process—released the music first. The double album, featuring Ian Gillan of Deep Purple as Jesus, shook audiences. It fused rock, funk, and symphonic elements into a religious narrative. The story of Jesus, told from Judas Iscariot’s conflicted point of view, was controversial—electrifying, even. The Catholic Church condemned it. Youth embraced it. By 1971, its momentum was unstoppable.

Broadway Debut and Cultural Impact.

Thumbnail from Jesus Christ Superstar lyric video by Musical Cast — Screenshot from the 'Jesus Christ Superstar' music video, capturing the mood and meaning of the song.

The musical opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on October 12, 1971. Directed by Tom O’Horgan, it resembled a psychedelic explosion more than a typical Broadway show. Critics were split. Audiences? Mesmerized. It ran for 711 performances, defying purist expectations. Jesus Christ Superstar was one of the earliest “sung-through” musicals. It had no spoken dialogue, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

Major Innovations and Themes.

What made this show seismic wasn’t just the music. It was the framing. Judas wasn’t a villain. He was human, tormented, and questioning. Jesus wasn’t serene. He was overwhelmed, exhausted, and even angry. The show wrestled with political pressure, betrayal, and messianic expectation in a gritty, human way. It avoided resurrection entirely, ending with the crucifixion. That choice deepened its controversy —and its emotional resonance.

Questions and Answers.

Live performance of Jesus Christ Superstar — Electrifying stage moment from the 50th-anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

What inspired the creation of Jesus Christ Superstar?: The musical originated as a concept album in 1970, driven by Webber and Rice's struggle to stage it live.
Why was Jesus Christ Superstar considered controversial?: It presented Jesus as human and Judas as sympathetic, omitting the resurrection entirely—stirring religious critique.
Who played Jesus in the 2018 live NBC production?: John Legend portrayed Jesus, bringing soul, warmth, and vulnerability to the role in a modern staging.
How long did the original Broadway run last?: The show ran for 711 performances from 1971 to 1973 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York.
Is Jesus Christ Superstar still being performed today?: Yes. Recent revivals include the 2021 North American tour and a bold 2022 West End reimagining.

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