When the musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' was released in 1973, the protagonist, the American Ted Neeley was just 30-years-old at the time.
Now, at the age of 72, his voice is as spectacular as ever as he gets into character to play Jesus Christ.
TED NEELEY
Actor
'It's different every time I get to do it. Each production gives me a chance to do more research to look inside the reality of the character and all of the surrounding characters as well. So there is more of a historical value to the show for me every time I get to do it. So, the change is basically what people perceive because I am still singing the same songs ,wearing basically the same kind of robe...â?
Today, Ted Neeley is starring in the Italian version of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in Rome. He is on a stage full of young local players but maintains the same enthusiasm for a story that has shaped his career and his life.
TED NEELEY
Actor
'If I had not been in this film, which was shot in Israel in 1972, I would not have met my wife, because we met there on the set. She was a dancer in the film. So, this role completely changed my personal life and my spiritual life. Everything about this film is good.â?
'Jesus Christ Superstar' was born as a rock album and then as a musical in the early 1970s in the United States. Its success was widespread.
MASSIMO ROMEO PIPARO
Director, Jesus Christ Superstar
'It started a new language, Rock suddenly appeared after the early classics in the 60s, completely breaking the mold with this rock music, especially when addressing the Gospel of Christ. It treated it with a completely new and disruptive language for that time.â?
This rock opera recounts the last week of Jesus' life from the perspective of Judas, showing the conflict between the two characters.
Although its groundbreaking approach seemed strange at first to the Vatican, the Church accepted it as a different way of capturing the image of Jesus. The musical production was even included in the event programming of the Jubilee of 2000. Now, in another Jubilee year, could this musical production interest the Pope?
MASSIMO ROMEO PIPARO
Director, Jesus Christ Superstar
'I do not think Pope Francis will want to watch it, he is very focused on the Jubilee, while being more spiritual, more sober, and clearly he must do the work of the Pope, we play make-believe, its a very different world.â?
The production directed by Massimo Romeo Piparo will be running for one week only at the Teatro Sistina in Rome. Next year, this peculiar production is expected to do a European tour.
IPC/YA
CTV
-VM
-BN
Up: IPC
