Jesus Christ Superstar
Webber's biblical musical
Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice depicting the final week of Jesus's life, told largely from Judas Iscariot's perspective.
Originally a concept album, it became a Broadway musical and 1973 film.
The title track questions Jesus's divinity with irreverent directness, and the phrase has entered casual use as an emphatic exclamation of surprise or frustration: Jesus Christ Superstar, I can't believe you said that.
Manhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- rock operaNarrative album performed theatrically
- concept albumMusically linked song collection
- cast recordingStudio capture of musical
Andrew Lloyd Webber · Tim Rice · soundtrack · choreography · ensemble · libretto · score · orchestration
Execution by cross
- GolgothaBiblical execution hilltop
- GethsemaneBiblical betrayal garden
- Last SupperFarewell Passover gathering
- betrayalBreaking of trust
Judas Iscariot · Pontius Pilate · Calvary · thirty pieces · crown of thorns · disciples · Mary Magdalene · Caiaphas
Prophesied liberator figure
- faithTrust without proof
- doubtLack of firm belief
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
fame · betrayal · suffering · humanity · divinity · salvation · atonement · prophecy
Irreverence toward the sacred
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- boycottOrganized economic protest
censorship · backlash · irreverence · boundary-pushing · polarizing · debate · secularism · humanizing
Notable point of reference
- seminalFoundational and influential
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- influentialHaving considerable effect
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
definitive · timeless · legendary · classic · cultural phenomenon · 1970s · arena tour · film adaptation
Broadway
Manhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- rock operaNarrative album performed theatrically
- concept albumMusically linked song collection
Andrew Lloyd Webber · Tim Rice · cast recording · soundtrack · choreography · ensemble · libretto · score · orchestration · showtunes
crucifixion
Execution by cross
- GolgothaBiblical execution hilltop
- GethsemaneBiblical betrayal garden
- Last SupperFarewell Passover gathering
betrayal · Judas Iscariot · Pontius Pilate · Calvary · thirty pieces · crown of thorns · disciples · Mary Magdalene · Caiaphas · Herod
messiah
Prophesied liberator figure
redemption · fame · betrayal · suffering · humanity · divinity · salvation · atonement · prophecy · disillusionment
blasphemy
Irreverence toward the sacred
- sacrilegeViolation of the hallowed
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
boycott · censorship · backlash · irreverence · boundary-pushing · polarizing · debate · secularism · humanizing · portrayal
landmark
Notable point of reference
- seminalFoundational and influential
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- influentialHaving considerable effect
groundbreaking · definitive · timeless · legendary · classic · cultural phenomenon · 1970s · arena tour · film adaptation · enduring
- Religious FilmsBen-Hur, The Ten Commandments, The Chosen, Risen, King of Kings
- musicalsWicked, Les Miserables, Cats, Chicago, Grease
- Religious MediaBible stories, biblical tales, conversion stories, redemption stories, The Ten Commandments
- Rock MusicalsTommy, Rocky Horror, American Idiot, We Will Rock You, School of Rock
- Stage musicalsWest Side Story, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Sweeney Todd
- Sung-Through MusicalsLes Miserables, Evita, Miss Saigon, through-composed
Jesus Christ SuperstarOklahoma!
State-named stage musical
My Fair Lady · South Pacific · The Music Man · Annie · operetta
Jesus Christ Superstartraditional hymn
Established religious song
hymn · Handel's Messiah · church music · Amazing Grace · devotional music
Jesus, Christ, superstar, Christian, Christianity, Christendom, christen, christening, unchristian