Jesus Christ Superstar follows the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ. Beginning with a rock Overture, we are introduced to Jesus’s supporters as they clash with the officials of Jerusalem. We are introduced first to Judas who delivers an internal monologue about the dangers Jesus is getting himself into ‘Heaven on their Minds’. He is critical of Jesus’s celebrity status. During ‘What’s the Buzz’ we see how his followers hang off his every word, although Judas tries to ground him and openly criticise him. Mary Magdalene jumps to his defence and tries to relax Jesus by telling him ‘Everything’s Alright’. The Priests meet together to discuss the Jesus problem and the best way of getting rid of him ‘This Jesus Must Die’. Jesus rides the donkey into town, and is greeted by palms and crowds of people, ‘Hosanna’. Simon Zealotes tries to spur him into action, but Jesus tells the crowd they must be patient, as God has plans for the whole of ‘Poor Jerusalem’. On an empty stage, Pilate wakes from a dream in which he has been warned of Jesus and sees his fate played out in front of him as he takes the blame for killing the Son of God. It’s market day and ‘The Temple’ becomes a den of thieves. Jesus overthrows the tables and throws everyone out. He is swamped by lepers trying to get help from him. Mary relaxes him and confesses that ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’. The Priests approach Judas and offer him ‘Blood Money’ for betraying Jesus. He accepts.

At ‘The Last Supper’ Jesus tells his disciples that he knows he will be betrayed, first by Peter and then by someone else. After arguing with Judas, they settle down to sleep and Jesus visits the garden of ‘Gethsemane’ to question God alone. This leads to ‘The Arrest’ and ‘Peter’s Denial’ of seeing Christ that evening. Jesus is taken to Pilate who torments him, sending him to Herod to explain himself. Herod delivers a camp over the top showbiz number and tells him to ‘get out’, sending him back to Pilate to meet his fate. Mary and Peter ask ‘Could We Start Again Please’ along with the other Apostles. Judas is overcome with what he has done and kills himself in shame. Jesus stands trial before Pilate and is lashed 39 times for not speaking up. The mob turn against him and demand for him to be crucified. Judas renters and asks Christ if it was all worth it in ‘such a strange land’ and sings ‘Superstar’. Jesus is put on the cross and dies.

Act I

“Overture” – Orchestra
“Heaven on Their Minds” – Judas
“What’s the Buzz” / “Strange Thing Mystifying” – Apostles, Jesus, Mary, Judas, Peter, Woman
“Everything’s Alright” – Mary, Women, Judas, Jesus, Apostles
“This Jesus Must Die” – Annas, Caiaphas, Apostles, Priests
“Hosanna” – Apostles, Caiaphas, Jesus, Ensemble
“Simon Zealotes” / “Poor Jerusalem” – Apostles, Simon, Jesus, Ensemble
“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, Chorus

Act II

“The Last Supper” – Apostles, Jesus, Judas
“Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)” – 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 (Try it and See)” – Herod, Dancers
“Could We Start Again Please?” – Mary, Apostles, Peter
“Judas’ Death” – Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Chorus
“Trial Before Pilate (Including the Thirty-Nine Lashes)” – Pilate, Caiaphas, Annas, Jesus, Ensemble
“Superstar” – Judas, Soul Sisters, Angels
“The Crucifixion” – Jesus, Ensemble
“John Nineteen: Forty-One” – Orchestra

1972 Tony Award Nominations: Best Score, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Performance in a Leading Role.

1997 Laurence Olivier Nomination: Best Musical Revival

2012 Tony Award Nomination: Best Musical Revival

UK: Really Useful Group

USA: R & H Theatricals