[ewoodie]

Originally Posted by LaurieMarlow

Yeah, I agree. If left to the public, I fear it would come down to 'one that looks most like an evil bastard' - and that would be upsetting.

For me, Judas is a brilliant part, requiring real subtlety. I don't trust the public with this one I'm afraid.

Actually, in JCS Judas is not an evil bastard. Just a man in turmoil expressing his concerns and questioning JC's motives and actions. Anyway, this is a purely a hypothetical question as they're not casting Judas. They are casting the lead role. Judas is a great part but not necessarily subtle. He makes no bones about his feelings and makes them known. In return, Jesus makes his point of view quite clear throughout the first part which culminates in the emotional Gethsemane. Both are emotional roles but Jesus is the greater of the 2. Judas has his big emotional moment when he realises what a fool he been to be used by the priests.

[LaurieMarlow]

Originally Posted by ewoodie

Actually, in JCS Judas is not an evil bastard. Just a man in turmoil expressing his concerns and questioning JC's motives and actions.

I do know that, I'm just expressing my fears around how the British public might interpret it. Lots of people watch and vote in these shows who know precious little about the musical.

Originally Posted by ewoodie

Anyway, this is a purely a hypothetical question as they're not casting Judas. They are casting the lead role. Judas is a great part but not necessarily subtle. He makes no bones about his feelings and makes them known. In return, Jesus makes his point of view quite clear throughout the first part which culminates in the emotional Gethsemane. Both are emotional roles but Jesus is the greater of the 2. Judas has his big emotional moment when he realises what a fool he been to be used by the priests.

Perhaps subtle is the wrong word - I guess what I'm getting at is that Judas is a proper actors part. And I want it done really well. To my mind, what Judas has to convey in the show is more complex and multilayered than what Jesus has to convey. That's not to say I don't want a Jesus who can act, obviously I do. Actually, Gethsemane is such a powerful song that I think it really helps the actor playing Jesus. If he can sing it well and he understands and communicates the lyrics then I think he's about 80% of the way there with the part.

[ewoodie]

Originally Posted by LaurieMarlow

I do know that, I'm just expressing my fears around how the British public might interpret it. Lots of people watch and vote in these shows who know precious little about the musical.



Perhaps subtle is the wrong word - I guess what I'm getting at is that Judas is a proper actors part. And I want it done really well. To my mind, what Judas has to convey in the show is more complex and multilayered than what Jesus has to convey. That's not to say I don't want a Jesus who can act, obviously I do. Actually, Gethsemane is such a powerful song that I think it really helps the actor playing Jesus. If he can sing it well and he understands and communicates the lyrics then I think he's about 80% of the way there with the part.

I think we agree on most things then. Except that I think that Jesus is also mutli-layered. Jesus knows his destiny and is prophetic right from the beginning of the show:

'Look at the good things you've got!
Think! while you still have me
Move! while you still see me
You'll be lost and you'll be so sorry when I'm gone'


Neither are one-dimensional characters.


PS have you seen/ are going to see the show Laurie?

[guenevere]

Originally Posted by littlebooties

I think you make a very good point/points.
If it was me I would want the part of Judas (and I'm female).

Just thinking about this stuff makes me realise how much I like this musical

If it was me I would want the part of Pilate - what an agonised role, requiring an excellent actor/singer (in that order, I feel).

His is also a multi-dimensional role, with the lyrical "Pilate's Dream," then the long "scena" with Jesus, using much parlando (or sing-speak), and then the forty lashes. It is Pilate final gesture of washing his hands that ushers in the great title song prefaced only by a dying fall from a moaning solo guitar. This requires a supremely confident and technically proficient artist.

I'm fully aware it's not the lead, but what an outstanding and dramatic support part! Yay Pilate!

I too lurve this show. It is among the very best of all musicals.

[Treewatcher]

Originally Posted by LaurieMarlow

Yeah, I agree. If left to the public, I fear it would come down to 'one that looks most like an evil bastard' - and that would be upsetting.

For me, Judas is a brilliant part, requiring real subtlety. I don't trust the public with this one I'm afraid.

But Nathan had Judas in the bag didn't he?

[tally]

Originally Posted by PinkPetunia

Tara was absolutely brilliant in Joseph, I hardly noticed her on the TV show .She was outstanding and it was she got the biggest cheer of all .

Totallly agree, She was brilliant AND has by far the largest role in "Joseph".

(Though I was blown away by Keith, in theTV programme I was too busy lusting after Lee to really listen to Keith. )

Lee reminded me so much of a young David Essex who I had a huge crush on in my youth.

Carl Anderson was an amazing Judas, though there was quite a stink at the time over an African American playing that role IIRC.

[tally]

Originally Posted by ewoodie

In JCS, Jesus is never hidden away. Why would he be? He is the focal point of the entire show. That's why it's called Jesus Christ Superstar. You cannot get away with a Jonas Brother playing Jesus and put him in with 2 stronger singers. For one thing there is no opportunity to do so. Jesus is the

The Jonas brother wasn't hidden away well enough for me in the 25th anniversary DVD. His performance is well documented as weak amongst an otherwise outstanding cast.



I've seen all the shows you mention - Les Miserables, Oliver, Phantom and JCS on stage and on film. Unfortunately, films/DVDs have a lot to answer for.

GAAAAHHHHH Dont remind me. That completely ruined the 25th anniversary of my all time favourite musical completely. I am still mad with Cameron McIntosh for sticking Nick Jonas in.

I have to say I loved the film of the 25th anniversary DVD of Phantom, but if it hadn't been for the marvellous John Owen Jones I would have been really disappointed with the stage show. The staging may have worked in the Royal Albert Hall, but it was a real let down for the stage.It lacked so much from the original, never more so than Masquarade. Such a shame.

Sorry, gone completely off topic.

[susie-4964]

Originally Posted by thenetworkbabe

Do you want people voting for the one who looks most shifty?

Well, apparently Nathan does, according to Dawn French anyway. Personally I disagree with her, I'm not sure if Nathan could have pulled off such a complicated character as Judas.

[Reality Sucks]

Gethsemane is the most powerful moment in the whole show though, providing the person who plays Jesus can do it justice. I remember being very disappointed when I saw it live back in the 70s. Can't remember who played Jesus, but his vocal was not very powerful. I had the original concept album with Ian Gillan singing the role of Jesus and I've never heard it sung better.

[ewoodie]

Originally Posted by tally

GAAAAHHHHH Dont remind me. That completely ruined the 25th anniversary of my all time favourite musical completely. I am still mad with Cameron McIntosh for sticking Nick Jonas in.

I have to say I loved the film of the 25th anniversary DVD of Phantom, but if it hadn't been for the marvellous John Owen Jones I would have been really disappointed with the stage show. The staging may have worked in the Royal Albert Hall, but it was a real let down for the stage.It lacked so much from the original, never more so than Masquarade. Such a shame.

Sorry, gone completely off topic.

Nick Jonas The 25th anniversary was utterly brilliant apart fom him.

I didn't really like 25th anniversary of the Phantom.

[SULLA]

Originally Posted by thenetworkbabe

You can even get away with a Jonas brother as Marius

No you can't, He had no credibility whatsoever

Originally Posted by Treewatcher

But Nathan had Judas in the bag didn't he?

ALW thinks that Nathan is Judas

[thenetworkbabe]

Originally Posted by SULLA

No you can't, He had no credibility whatsoever

ALW thinks that Nathan is Judas

People still went. The DVD sold. Jonas was sandwiched between the two people there with most experience in their roles until he had to sing thin notes at empty tables, and the girls sang magnificently over him - until someone worked on the DVD sound so he became audible.Its true he looked silly and out of place, but he probably achieved his purpose - attracting cinema viewers, interest in the show, and DVD sales.

[SULLA]

Originally Posted by thenetworkbabe

People still went. The DVD sold. Jonas was sandwiched between the two people there with most experience in their roles until he had to sing thin notes at empty tables, and the girls sang magnificently over him - until someone worked on the DVD sound so he became audible.Its true he looked silly and out of place, but he probably achieved his purpose - attracting cinema viewers, interest in the show, and DVD sales.

Anyone who bought the DVD because he was in it, must surely realise how hopeless he was.

I don't care how good the others were, he ruined it.

[tally]

Originally Posted by SULLA

Anyone who bought the DVD because he was in it, must surely realise how hopeless he was.

I don't care how good the others were, he ruined it.

AMEN to that.

I'm sure he was only cast to get the kiddies to buy it. He looked about 12, singing and acting weak to awful, and I haven't been able to watch it without FFing any time he's on because I want to throttle him.

Meanwhile my 10th Anniversary DVD is nigh on worn out. Hopefully the film will be spectacular.

I would ditch the 25th but I do love Alfie Boe and the encore with all the JV-Js.