Jesus Christ Superstar (Musical) Plot & Characters

Overview

Synopsis

Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of biblical Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. A rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical has no spoken dialogue and is sometimes considered a modern rock-opera. Loosely based on the Gospels, Superstar focuses on the personal conflicts between Jesus, his disciples, the people of Israel, and the leadership of Rome. Special attention is played to the relationship between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, as well as Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene. The musical is unique among biblical retellings in that it focuses on both Judas’ struggle making the decision to betray Jesus and Jesus’ human psychology, fear, and anger in understanding and accepting his role as both leader and martyr. The show is a product of its era, permeated with 1970’s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, modern language and colloquialisms, and high-energy dance numbers.

Show Information

Book: Tim Rice

Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber

Lyrics: Tim Rice

Category: Musical

Age Guidance: Thirteen Plus (PG-13)

Number of Acts: 2

First Produced: 1971

Genres: Drama, Historical/Biographical

Settings: Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set

Time & Place: biblical era israel

Cast Size: medium

Orchestra Size: Rock Combo

Dancing: Some Dance

Licensor: Concord Theatricals

Ideal For: College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Religious Groups, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast

Lead Characters

Jesus Christ

Lead, Male, Tenor

Jesus Christ Superstar

5

Judas

Lead, Male, Tenor

Jesus Christ Superstar

8

Mary Magdalene

Lead, Female, Mezzo-Soprano

Jesus Christ Superstar

12

View all characters in Jesus Christ Superstar

Context

Jesus Christ Superstar has become a musical phenomenon that permeated musical, cinematic, and religious culture. When the original 1970 concept album premiered in the U.S., it made its way to the “Top 10” on the Billboard charts, and was followed by a blockbuster, albeit controversial, 1971 Broadway run. Condemned by religious groups and activists, the hippie-rock musical was met with protests from both Christian and Jewish groups. The show enjoyed successful runs across the U.K. and in

Hello Stranger!

Sign up for StageAgent PRO to read the context for Jesus Christ Superstar and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!

Sign Up

Already a Member? Log in

Plot

ACT ONE

In the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas worries that Jesus' popularity has overshadowed, and put at risk, their mission. He expresses his concern that the Romans will retaliate, endangering them all, and accuses Jesus’ followers of being blinded by their enthusiasm ("Heaven on Their Minds"). The group ignores Judas’ concerns, and urges Jesus on to Jerusalem. Jesus resists, hinting that the future is already set. Mary tends to Jesus as he copes with his followers not

Hello Stranger!

Sign up for StageAgent PRO to read the plot for Jesus Christ Superstar and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!

Sign Up

Already a Member? Log in

Characters

Name	Part Size	Gender	Vocal Part
Jesus Christ	Lead	Male	Tenor
Judas	Lead	Male	Tenor
Mary Magdalene	Lead	Female	Mezzo-Soprano
Peter	Supporting	Male	Tenor
Simon Zealotes	Supporting	Male	Tenor
Caiaphas	Supporting	Male	Bass
King Herod	Supporting	Male	Tenor
Pontius Pilate	Supporting	Male	Baritone
Annas	Supporting	Male	Tenor
Ensemble	Ensemble	Either Gender	Spoken, Silent, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

Overture - Instrumental
Heaven on Their Minds – Judas
What's the Buzz – Apostles, Jesus, Mary
Strange Thing Mystifying – Jesus, Mary, Judas, Apostles
Everything's Alright – Mary, Women, Judas, Jesus, Apostles
This Jesus Must Die – Annas, Caiaphas, Apostles, Priests
Hosanna – Caiaphas, Jesus, Ensemble
*Simon Zealotes – Simon, Ensemble
Poor Jerusalem – Jesus
Pilate's Dream – Pilate
*The Temple – Ensemble, Jesus
Everything's Alright (Reprise) – Mary, Jesus
I Don't Know How to Love Him – Mary
Damned For All Time/Blood Money – Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Priests

Act Two

The Last Supper – Apostles, Jesus, Judas
Gethsemane – Jesus
The Arrest – Judas, Jesus, Peter, Apostles, Ensemble, Annas, Caiaphas
Peter's Denial – Maid by the Fire, Peter, Soldier, Old Man, Mary
Pilate and Christ – Pilate, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble
King Herod's Song - Herod, *Ensemble
Could We Start Again Please? – Mary, Peter
Judas' Death – Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Ensemble
Trial By Pilate/Thirty-Nine Lashes – Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble
*Superstar – Judas, Soul Sisters, Angels
The Crucifixion – Jesus, Ensemble
John 19:41 – Instrumental

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.