Category Archives: J

Musicals staring with letter J

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys is the hit Broadway musical that transferred to the West End in 2008 and made its home in London. Documenting the highs and lows of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Jersey Boys follows how the boys went from a downtown band to an uptown success. Narrated by Tommy DeVito, Bob Gaudio, Nick Massi and Frankie Valli, the musical tells their story, featuring many of the hit songs from the band’s back catalogue, including “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “My Eyes Adored You”, “Sherry” and “Who Loves You”. Winning both Tony and Olivier Awards, Jersey Boys is an international success, touring across the UK and US, as well as opening all over the world in countries such as Tokyo, Singapore, Melbourne and Utrecht.

Jersey-Boys_Playbill

Bob Gaudio

Bob Crewe

Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Dodger Theatricals

Des McAnuff

Sergio Trujillo

Productions
Jersey-Boys_Broadway

Original Broadway Production

August Wilson Theatre - Opened 6 Nov 2005, closed 22 Jan 2017

Cast: John Lloyd Young (Frankie Valli), Christian Hoff (Tommy DeVito), Daniel Reichard (Bob Gaudio), J. Robert Spencer (Nick Massi), Jennifer Naimo (Mary Delgado), Peter Gregus (Bob Crewe), Mark Lotito (Gyp DeCarlo), Michael Longoria (Joe Pesci), Donnie Kehr (Norm Waxman), Erica Piccininni (Lorraine), Sara Schmidt (Francine Valli) Replacements: Ryan Molloy, Dominic Scaglione, Jr. (Frankie) Andy Karl, Richard H. Blake (Tommy), Sebastian Arcelus, Quinn VanAntwerp (Bob), Michael Lomeda (Nick), Cara Cooper (Mary), Jon Hacker (Joe), Miles Aubrey (Norm), Jessica Rush (Lorraine)

Jersey-Boys_London

Original London Production

Prince Edward Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre - Opened 18 Mar 2008, closed 16 Apr 2017

Cast: Ryan Molloy (Frankie Valli), Glenn Carter (Tommy DeVito), Stephen Ashfield (Bob Gaudio), Philip Bulcock (Nick Massi), Suzy Bastone (Mary Delgado), Simon Adkins (Bob Crewe), Stuart Milligan (Gyp DeCarlo), Jye Frasca (Joe Pesci), Joseph Prouse (Norm Waxman), Amy Pemberton (Lorraine), Michelle Francis (Francine Valli) Replacements: Matt Corner (Frankie) Simon Bailey (Tommy), Declan Egan (Bob), Matt Hunt (Nick), Nicola Brazil (Mary), Mark Dugdale (Bob Crewe), Mark Heenahan (Gyp), Will Haswell (Joe), Joe Maxwell (Norm), Nicky Griffiths (Lorraine), Helen Ternent (Francine)



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Each of The Four Seasons narrate the band’s rise to fame, accompanied by hit songs from Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons’ back catalogue.

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


Jersey Boys opens with a performance of a rap song released in 2000. Tommy DeVito appears and explains that the song is a cover of one of The Four Seasons’ hit tracks. He begins to narrate the story of the band, detailing how the group began as “The Variety Trio” with Nick DeVito and Nick Massi. When they discovered Frankie Castelluccio, they took him under his wing and taught him everything he knows. During the early years of the band, Tommy went in and out of prison, Frankie changed his last name to Valli and the pair also developed a friendship with mob boss Gyp DeCarlo. Frankie also falls in love with a married Mary Delgado. As the band continue to struggle with their name and sound, Joe Pesci introduces them to Bob Gaudio.

Bob Gaudio becomes the narrator and informs the audience that Tommy did not “find” him, as he already had a hit with “Short Shorts”. Bob and Joe go to watch the band and are impressed with Frankie’s voice. Bob performs a song he’s recently written, with Frankie, Nick and Tommy joining in with vocals, bass and guitar. The four negotiate an agreement and Tommy becomes sceptical that Bob will be good for the band. Eventually, the four get producer Bob Crewe involved, who insists that they need to make a firm decision with their name and sound. After a night at The Four Seasons bowling alley, they name themselves and with Bob’s songs they are propelled into stardom. As they begin to tour, Bob loses his virginity and Frankie’s marriage to Mary comes to an end. They continue to huge success, but are soon approached by a loan shark who has come to claim money owed by Tommy.

Act II begins with Nick Massi as the narrator. He explains that Bob was so focused on writing for the band that he couldn’t see they were in trouble. Tommy racked up numerous debts and a forgotten bill lands the boys in jail for the weekend, straining the relationship between Tommy and Bob. Tommy becomes increasingly jealous of Frankie’s success and his relationship with Bob and attempts to seduce Frankie’s new girlfriend, Lorraine, destroying their friendship. When the loan shark reappears, Frankie foes to Gyp DeCarlo for help. Gyp and the loan shark come to an agreement and Tommy is sent to Las Vegas, where the mob can keep an eye on him. The band cover the debt, but Nick declares that he wants out.

Frankie then becomes the narrator and explains that he never understood why Nick wanted to leave. Frankie and Bob find replacements to keep the band a quartet, but Bob announces that Frankie should go solo as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Frankie’s relationship with daughter Francine becomes strained when he breaks up with Lorraine, but his musical career continues with smash-hits. As Frankie and Bob continue to release hits and pay off Tommy’s debts, disaster falls as Francine dies from an overdose. Bob Crewe then appears to describe The Four Seasons’ 1990 induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, reuniting the original Seasons back to the stage. Each member explains his pride at being part of the band.

Songs

Act I

  • “Ces soirées-là (Oh What a Night) – Paris, 2000” – French Rap Star Yannick and Backup Group
  • “Silhouettes” – Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Nick DeVito and Frankie Valli
  • “You’re the Apple of My Eye” – Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Nick DeVito
  • “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” – Frankie Valli
  • “Earth Angel” – Tommy DeVito and Company
  • “A Sunday Kind of Love” – Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi and Nick’s Date
  • “My Mother’s Eyes” – Frankie Valli
  • “I Go Ape” – The Four Loves
  • “(Who Wears) Short Shorts” – The Royal Teens
  • “I’m in the Mood for Love/Moody’s Mood for Love” – Frankie Valli
  • “Cry for Me” – Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi
  • “An Angel Cried” – Hal Miller and The Rays
  • “I Still Care” – Miss Frankie Nolan and The Romans
  • “Trance” – Billy Dixon and The Topix
  • “Sherry” – The Four Seasons
  • “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – The Four Seasons
  • “Walk Like a Man” – The Four Seasons
  • “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)” – Bob Gaudio and Company
  • “My Boyfriend’s Back” – The Angels
  • “My Eyes Adored You” – Frankie Valli, Mary Delgado and The Four Seasons
  • “Dawn (Go Away)” – The Four Seasons
  • “Walk Like a Man (Reprise)” – Company

Act II

  • “Big Man in Town” – The Four Seasons
  • “Beggin’” – The Four Seasons
  • “Stay” – Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli and Nick Massi
  • “Let’s Hang On! (To What We’ve Got)” – Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli
  • “Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ‘bout Me)” – Bob Gaudio, Frankie Valli and The New Seasons
  • “Bye Bye Baby” – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
  • “C’mon Marianne” – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
  • “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
  • “Working My Way Back to You” – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
  • “Fallen Angel” – Frankie Valli
  • “Rag Doll” – The Four Seasons
  • “Who Loves You” – The Four Seasons and Company
Awards

2008 Olivier Awards: Best New Musical

2007 Grammy Awards: Best Musical Show Album

2006 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (John Lloyd Young), Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Christian Hoff), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley)

2006 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actor in a Musical (John Lloyd Young), Outstanding Sound Design (Steve Canyon Kennedy)

Jekyll and Hyde

Jekyll and Hyde the musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Described as a musical thriller the show was conceived by Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, with a book written by Leslie Bricusse. Set in London in the 1800’s Dr Jekyll longs to cure his father’s mental illness. He uses himself as a guinea pig to test his formula transforming him inadvertently into the evil Mr Hyde. The score has a contemporary rock vibe the most famous number being “This is the Moment”. Although not a success with the critics the show developed a cult following and the original Broadway production ran for 4 years. There have been many revisions to the song list for different versions. The original Broadway production was filmed with the final cast starring David Hassellhoff. The Broadway revival starred Constantine Maroulis and Deborah Cox. The show has most recently been seen in the UK in a touring production starring Marti Pellow.

Dr Jekyll Playbill 1

Frank Wildhorn

Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse and Steve Cuden.

Leslie Bricusse

Robert Louis Stevenson's novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

PACE Theatrical Group Inc. and Fox Theatricals

Robin Phillips

Joey Pizzi

Productions
Dr Jekyll Playbill 1

Jekyll and Hyde Original Broadway Production

Plymouth Theatre Broadway - Opened 21 Mar 1997, closed 1 Jul 2001, 1543 performances

Cast: Robert Cuccioli, Linda Eder, Barrie Ingham, George Merritt, Christine Noll

Dr Jekyll Broadway revival

Jekyll and Hyde Broadway Revival

Marquis Theatre Broadway - Opened 5 Apr 2013, closed 12 May 2013, 45 performances

Cast: Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Teal Wicks, Laird Mackintosh, Richard White, David Benoit, Stephen Mitchell Brown, Jerry Christakos, Dana Costello, Wendy Fox, Brian Gallagher, Sean Jenness, Mel Johnson Jr., James Judy, Ashley Loren, Courtney Markowitz, Aaron Ramey, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Rob Richardson, Blair Ross, Doug Storm, Haley Swindal, and Jason Wooten. Director/Choreographer: Jeff Calhoun



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

An experiment gone wrong leaves Dr Jekyll with a split personality in the form of the sinister Mr Hyde.

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


Act I

We are introduced to the story by John Utterson Jekyll’s lawyer and best friend, and Sir Danvers Carew who was to be Jekyll’s father in law. They introduce the show and take the audience back to an insane asylum where a Jekyll sings over his father who is a patient. (“Lost in the Darkness”). Jekyll believes the evil in his father’s soul has caused his condition. He believes that if he could remove the evil he could cure him and wishes to separate the good from the evil of the personality. (“I Need to Know”).

The inhabitants of 19th Century London describe how they want others to perceive them despite who they really are. (“Façade”)

Jekyll presents a research proposal to the Board of Governors of St. Jude’s Hospital of which Sir Danvers is the chairman. Jekyll hopes to be able to cure his father and people with similar conditions and wishes to test his formula on a human subject but is denied. (“Jekyll’s Plea”). Utterson attempts to calm Jekyll down and tells him if he’s sure his theory is right he should continue his work. (“Pursue the Truth”).

Jekyll is late for his own engagement party being thrown for him by Sir Danvers, as Jekyll is due to marry his daughter Emma. (“Façade (reprise)”) Guests at the party including the board of governors voice their concern at Emma being engaged to a Jekyll, but Sir Danvers and Emma defend him. Stride, one of the governors, is in love with Emma and tries to convince her not to marry Jekyll. She turns him down. (“Emma’s Reasons”). When Jekyll eventually arrives he explains to Emma that he may always be occupied with his work and she promises to stand by him. (“Take Me as I Am”). Sir Danvers then expresses to Emma his concerns about Jekyll’s behaviour and the prospect of losing her to which she reassures him that he never will. (“Letting Go”).

Jekyll and Utterson hit the town for Jekyll’s bachelor party and head to “The Red Rat” in Camden. (“Façade (reprise #2)”) Kind-hearted prostitute Lucy Harris is late for work, and gets in to trouble with her boss Spider. (“No One Knows Who I Am”). Lucy is interrupted by The Red Rat’s manager Nellie, who sends her on stage to do her number (“Bring On the Men”/ Good n Evil) during which she catches the eye of Jekyll. He presents Lucy with his visiting card and tells her to call on him should she ever need a friend. (“Here’s to the Night”).

Jekyll, inspired by Lucy’s song informs Utterson that he has found a subject for his experiment. He bids him goodnight and continues to his laboratory to begin work (“This Is the Moment”). He mixes the chemicals to create formula HJ7 and injects himself with it. He then becomes taken over by the dark side of his personality. (“First Transformation”). He proceeds to reek havoc on the streets of London and abuses Lucy. He names his split personality Edward Hyde (“Alive”).

Emma, Sir Danvers and Utterson are concerned having not heard from Jekyll. Jekyll’s butler informs Utterson that he has been locked in his lab the whole time, only emerging to send him to buy chemicals. Utterson confront Jekyll but he brushes it off and presents him with three letters, for Emma, Sir Danvers and himself to open if he becomes ill or disappears. Utterson warns Jekyll not to loose his life to work. Emma and her father argue about her prospective marriage to Jekyll with Emma defending the importance of his work. (“His Work and Nothing More”).

Utterson leaves and Lucy arrives with a bruise on her back. She tells Jekyll that a man called Hyde is responsible. Jekyll conceals his shock. Lucy kisses him for being kind to her and treating her wound. (“Sympathy, Tenderness”) Alone Lucy sings about how easy it would be to love Jekyll. (“Someone Like You”).

Hyde sets out to kill all the members of the board that rejected Jekyll’s work and begins by beating and murdering the Bishop of Basingstoke. (“Alive (reprise)”).

Act II

The second act is introduced again by Utterson and Sir Danvers. The people of London gossip about the Bishop’s murder while Hyde hunts the rest of his victims. (“Murder, Murder”).

Emma sneaks into Jekyll’s lab and attempts to read his diary but he stops her before she learns what’s happened. She tells him she still loves him and begs him to confide in her. (“Once Upon a Dream”). He professes his love for her but refuses to tell her the truth. After she departs he writes in his diary that he can no longer control when he turns into Mr Hyde. He is interrupted by Utterson demanding to know who Jekyll’s sole heir ‘Edward Hyde’ is. Jekyll tells him he’s a colleague and Utterson agrees to source the chemicals Jekyll requires. Alone Jekyll comes to terms with the fact that Hyde is a part of him (“Streak of Madness”). Both Lucy and Emma muse on their love for the same man (“In His Eyes”).

Back at “The Red Rat”, Lucy is visited by Hyde he informs her that he is going away but warns her she can’t leave him. Although terrified Lucy is under his control. (“Dangerous Game”). Spider then warns the revelers at the red rat to beware of the dangers ahead. (“Façade reprise”).

Utterson returns to Jekyll’s lab with the chemicals and discovers Hyde. Utterson refuses to leave the chemicals with him demanding to know what has become of his friend. Utterson threatens Hyde who injects himself and turns back into Jekyll before his eyes. Jekyll enlists Utterson to help him destroy Hyde, and deliver money to Lucy so she can escape. Jekyll mixes chemicals and prays he will be able to return to a normal life (“The Way Back”).

Utterson delivers the money and a letter to Lucy from Jekyll asking her to leave town she considers her future. (“A New Life”). Just then Hyde enters and murders her. (“Sympathy, Tenderness (reprise)”). Drenched in Lucy’s Blood Jekyll returns to his lab to fight Hyde for control of his soul. (“Confrontation”).

Utterson informs the audience that Jekyll has given up on his work, and was not able to save his father. (“Façade (reprise)”). It appears that Jekyll is back to normal as he and Emma stand before the priest ready to marry. Suddenly Jekyll turns back into Mr Hyde murders one of the wedding guests, Stride, and takes Emma hostage. The sound of Emma’s voice allows Jekyll to regain control over himself and he begs Utterson to kill him. Utterson is unable to go through with it so Jekyll impales himself on his swordstick. Jekyll dies free of Mr Hyde’s control. (“Finale”).

 

 

Songs

Act I

  • Prologue
  • Lost In the Darkness – Jekyll
  • Façade – Townsfolk
  • Jekyll’s Plea – Jekyll, Simon Stride, Sir Danvers, Board of Governors
  • Pursue the Truth– Jekyll, Utterson
  • Façade (reprise) – Townsfolk
  • Emma’s Reasons– Emma, Simon Stride
  • Take Me As I Am – Jekyll, Emma
  • Letting Go – Emma, Sir Danvers
  • Façade (reprise)– Townsfolk
  • No One Knows Who I Am – Lucy
  • Good ‘N’ Evil – Lucy, Prostitutes
  • Here’s to the Night – Jekyll, Lucy
  • Now There Is No Choice – Jekyll
  • This Is the Moment – Jekyll
  • First Transformation – Jekyll and Hyde
  • Alive – Hyde
  • His Work and Nothing More – Jekyll, Emma, Utterson, Sir Danvers
  • Sympathy, Tenderness – Lucy
  • Someone Like You – Lucy
  • Alive (reprise) – Hyde

Act II

  • Murder, Murder – Townsfolk
  • Once Upon a Dream – Emma
  • Obsession – Jekyll
  • In His Eyes – Lucy, Emma
  • Dangerous Game – Hyde, Lucy
  • Façade (reprise) – Spider, Townsfolk
  • The Way Back – Jekyll
  • A New Life – Lucy
  • Sympathy, Tenderness (reprise)– Hyde
  • Confrontation – Jekyll and Hyde
  • Façade (reprise) – Townsfolk
  • Finale – Emma
Awards

1997 Tony Awards nominated for Best Book of a Musical (Leslie Bricusse), Best Actor in a Musical (Robert Cuccioli), Best Costume Design (Ann Curtis), and Best Lighting Design (Beverly Emmons)

Licensing

USA: Musical Theatre International

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the first musical offering from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The show is based on the Book of Genesis in The Bible and the story of the ‘coat of many colours’. The show started life as a 30 minute long cantata written for a primary school. After the concept album was released and the success of their next musical collaboration, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, the show mounted a full scale production. The show continued to be modest in size and developed with each production, until the ‘definitive’ London Palladium version that starred Jason Donovan. This fantastic revival added new music and a mega-mix, becoming one of the most popular West End shows in the early 1990s. The show is currently performed all over the world by schools and youth groups and is instantly recognizable for generations of theatre fans.

Joseph

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tim Rice

Tim Rice

The Bible

Robert Stigwood

Frank Dunlop

Productions
Joseph Original London

Original London Production

Albery Theatre - Opened 1 Feb 1973, closed 1 Jan 1970, 243 performances

Joseph Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Royale Theatre - Opened 27 Jan 1982, closed 4 Sep 1983

Joseph London Revival 1991

First London Revival

London Palladium - Opened 1 Jan 1991, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Jason Donovan (replaced by Philip Schofield) and Linzi Hatley.

Joseph Broadway Revival

Broadway Revival

Minskoff Theatre - Opened 10 Nov 1993, closed 29 May 1994

Joseph Second London Revival

Second London Revival

New London Theatre - Opened 1 Mar 2003, closed 1 Jan 1970

Joseph Adelphi 2007

Third London Revival

Adelphi Theatre - Opened 6 Jul 2007, closed 1 May 2009

Cast: Lee Mead, Preeya Kalidas, Dean Collinson, Stephen Tate



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

The show begins with a Prologue in which the Narrator invites the audience to dream, as Joseph takes to the stage and tells the crowd that ‘Any Dream Will Do’. We then go back to the beginning of the tale in Canaan where Jacob lives with his many sons and wives. His favourite son Joseph is given a multicolored coat to wear than angers his brothers who want to take it from him. Joseph begins to tell them of the dreams the coat has made him have, which include his superiority over them in the future. The brothers are sick of hearing about his dreams and hatch a plan. They mug him and sell him to some travelling Israelites, then pretend that he has died by dipping his coat in blood. They tell Jacob who is distraught, although the brothers are happy that he is gone.

Joseph is sold to Potiphar and rises up to be one of his attendants. Potiphar’s wife makes advances on Joseph and he is cast out to prison. Whilst in jail he is approached by a Butler and a Baker who ask him to interpret their dreams. He predicts good things for the Bulter and a sinister end for the Baker.

The Narrator tells how Joseph’s fortunes change, as the Bulter recommends him to Pharaoh who has been suffering from bad dreams. Joseph comes from prison and interprets his dreams as meaning they will have seven years of bumper crops followed by years of nothing, and they must prepare for the years ahead. His predictions turn out right and Egypt survive due to his interpretation as the Pharaoh promotes him to his number 2.

Back in Canaan the famine has hit Joseph’s family hard. They decide to travel to Egypt to beg for food. The brothers fail to recognise Joseph and he plays a trick on them, hiding a cup in youngest brother Benjamin’s sack. As they are caught the brothers sacrifice themselves for Benjamin and Joseph realises they have now changed their ways and reveals his identity. The brothers are shocked and look for forgiveness. Joseph tells them to bring Jacob to Egypt and they are all reunited together.

Songs

Act I

  • Prologue – Narrator
  • Any Dream Will Do – Joseph, Children
  • Jacob and Sons – Narrator, Brothers, Wives, Children, Ensemble
  • Joseph’s Coat – Jacob, Narrator, Brothers, Wives, Children, Ensemble
  • Joseph’s Dreams – Narrator, Brothers, Joseph
  • Poor, Poor Joseph – Narrator, Brothers, Children
  • One More Angel in Heaven – Reuben, Narrator, Brothers, Wives, Jacob, Children
  • Potiphar – Children, Narrator, Male Ensemble, Mrs Potiphar, Potiphar, Joseph
  • Close Every Door – Joseph, Children
  • Go, Go, Go Joseph – Narrator, Butler, Baker, Ensemble, Joseph, Guru, Children

 

Act II

  • Pharaoh’s Story – Narrator, Children
  • Poor, Poor Pharaoh – Narrator, Butler, Pharaoh, Children
  • Song of the King – Pharaoh, Ensemble
  • Pharaoh’s Dream Explained – Joseph, Ensemble, Children
  • Stone the Crows – Narrator, Pharaoh, Children, Joseph, Female Ensemble
  • King of My Heart – Pharaoh
  • Those Canaan Days – Simeon, Jacob, Brothers
  • The Brothers Come To Egypt/Grovel, Grovel – Narrator, Brothers, Joseph, Female Ensemble, Children
  • Who’s the Thief? – Joseph, Brothers, Female Ensemble
  • Benjamin Calypso – Judah, Brothers (but Benjamin), Female Ensemble
  • Joseph All the Time – Narrator, Joseph, Children
  • Jacob in Egypt – Narrator, Jacob, Children, Ensemble
  • Any Dream Will Do (Reprise) – Joseph, Narrator, Ensemble, Jacob, Children
  • Give Me My Colored Coat – Joseph, Children, Ensemble
  • Joseph Megamix – Ensemble
Awards

1982 Tony Award: Nominated for Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, Best Featured Actor, Best Featured Actress, Best Choreography

1992 Olivier Awards: Best Scenic Design (Mark Thompson)

Licensing

UK: Really Useful Group

USA: Really Useful Group

 

 

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s most popular musicals. The show began life as a concept recording which become popular in America and the UK charts. Due to the scale of the show, Producers were scared to take it on, but the original production opened on Broadway in 1971, before opening in London in 1972. The musical is a loose account of the Gospels in the final week leading up to Jesus’ death, ending with the crucifixion. The main focus is on the relationship between Judas and Jesus that have been invented for the musical. Despite some controversy all over the world, the show has been successful in various countries and is a popular choice to be performed by amateur and church companies. Numerous revivals have thought of different ways to present the story and have updated the events to a modern setting.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Tim Rice

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Tom O’Horgan

The Bible

Robert Stigwood

Tom O’Horgan

Productions
Jesus Christ Superstar Original Broadway

Original Broadway Production

Mark Hellinger Theatre - Opened 12 Oct 1971, closed 1 Jul 1973, 711 performances

Cast: Jeff Fenholt, Yvonne Elliman, Ben Vereen, Barry Dennen & Anita Morris.

Jesus Christ Superstar Original London

Original London Production

Palace Theatre - Opened 1 Jan 1972, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Paul Nicholas as Jesus, Stephen Tate as Judas and Dana Gillespie as Mary.

Jesus Christ Superstar 1st Broadway Revival

First Broadway Revival

Longacre Theatre - Opened 23 Nov 1977, closed 12 Feb 1978

Jesus Christ Superstar London Revival Lyceum

First London Revival

Lyceum Theatre - Opened 1 Sep 1996, closed 1 Jan 1970

Cast: Steve Balsamo and Zubin Varla as Jesus and Judas, and Joanna Ampil

Jesus Christ Superstar 2nd Broadway Revival

Second Broadway Revival

Ford Centre of Performing Arts - Opened 16 Apr 2000, closed 3 Sep 2000

Jesus Christ Superstar 3rd Broadway Revival

2012 Broadway Revival

Neil Simon Theatre - Opened 22 Mar 2012, closed 1 Jul 2012

Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour 2012

2012 Stadium Tour

02 Arena - UK National Tour - Opened 21 Sep 2012, closed 28 Mar 2013

Cast: Ben Forster, Mel C, Tim Minchin



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Twitter Synopsis:

Son of God causes stir in Jerusalem. Loved by a prostitute, betrayed with a kiss. A camp Herod and dreamy Pilate + angry mob = crucifixion

Add your own Twitter style synopsis (140 characters only!) in the comments box


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.

Songs

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

Awards

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

Licensing

UK: Really Useful Group

USA: R & H Theatricals

 

Jerry Springer The Opera

Jerry Springer The Opera came from humble beginnings to be one of the most talked about pieces of theatre in the past decade. Written by comedian Stewart Lee, the opera/musical uses the American chat show format to bring to life a colourful cast of characters and ensemble. After success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Nicholas Hytner, director of the National Theatre, used the piece in his inaugural season at the London venue which sparked much controversy. The adult nature of the script, combined with profanities both spoken and sung made this a highly controversial piece of theatre. The decision by the BBC to broadcast the opera upset many, and pickets were organised outside each theatre as it completed a UK tour. The show was fully endorsed by Jerry Springer himself and has achieved a cult following around the world.

Jerry Springer the Opera

Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee

Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee

Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee

The National Theatre/Avalon Productions

Stewart Lee

Jenny Arnold

Productions
Jerry Springer the Opera - National

Jerry Springer the Opera - National

The National Theatre - Opened 29 Apr 2003, closed 30 Sep 2003

Cast: David Soul, David Bedella, Leon Craig, Carrie Ellis, Alison Jiear, Christopher Key, Benjamin Lake, Ryan Molloy, Claire Platt.  

Jerry Springer the Opera - Cambridge

Jerry Springer the Opera - Cambridge

Cambridge Theatre - Opened 10 Nov 2003, closed 19 Feb 2005

Cast: David Soul, David Bedella, Leon Craig, Carrie Ellis, Alison Jiear, Christopher Key, Benjamin Lake, Ryan Molloy, Claire Platt.  



What was your favourite production? Add your thoughts in the comments box

Synopsis

Jerry Springer hosts a daytime talk show which is renowned for its over-the-top guests. On this show, Dwight arrives to tell his girlfriend Peaches he is cheating on her with Zandra. The three fight and have to be broken up by Jerry’s security team. Dwight reveals he is also having an affair with transsexual Tremont.

Jerry’s next guests are Montel, who explains to his girlfriend Andrea that he enjoys dressing up as a baby and is cheating on her with Baby Jane, a grown woman who dresses up like a little girl. Jerry’s Warm-Up-Man humiliates Andrea, and Jerry promptly fires him. Jerry’s final guests are Shawntel and her husband Chucky. Shawntel wants to be a stripper, but her mother Irene arrives and attacks her for humiliating the factory. Chucky says he had no idea Shawntel was a stripper, but a secret camera reveals he has visited strip clubs and is also a Ku Klux Klan member. The Klan arrives in support of Chucky, and the disgruntled Warm-Up Man gives Montel a gun, and causes him to accidentally shoot Jerry.

Jerry heads to Purgatory with his security guard Steve, where he is confronted by the ghosts of his former guests. He tries to justify his actions on earth to no avail. The Warm-Up Man reveals himself to be Satan, and Baby Jane pleads for Satan to save Jerry’s soul. Satan does not relent and sends Jerry to hell to perform a version of his show.

In hell, Jerry must read the cue cards Baby Jane shows him. Satan wants an apology from God for banishing him from Heaven. Guests arrive, all resembling people who appeared on the show in the first act. The first is Jesus, resembling Montel, who argues with Satan. Adam and Eve arrive, who are similar to Chucky and Shawntel. They fight with Jesus before Eve physically assaults him. The Virgin Mary enters next, and condemns her son Jesus. Everyone eventually turns on Jerry, blaming him for their problems.

God arrives to ask Jerry to come to Heaven with him, but Satan challenges God for Jerry’s soul. He is suspended over a pit of fire while they debate, and Jerry pleads for his own sole before making an impassioned speech about his life’s work. Satan finally relents and Jerry is sent back to earth. He wakes up back in the studio just after being shot, dying in Steve’s arms. Everyone mourns his death as he makes one final speech.

Songs

Act I

  1. “Overtly-ture”
  2. “Audience Very Plainsong”
  3. “Ladies & Gentlemen”
  4. “Have Yourselves a Good Time”
  5. “Bigger Than Oprah Winfrey”
  6. “Foursome Guests”
  7. “I’ve Been Seeing Someone Else”
  8. “Chick With a Dick”
  9. “Talk to the hand”
  10. “Adverts 1″
  11. “Intro to Diaper Man”
  12. “Diaper Man”
  13. “Montel Cums Dirty”
  14. “This is My Jerry Springer Moment”
  15. “Mama Gimmee Smack on the Asshole”
  16. “I Wanna Sing Something Beautiful”
  17. “Adverts II”
  18. “First Time I Saw Jerry”
  19. “Backstage Scene”
  20. “Poledancer”
  21. “I Just Wanna Dance”
  22. “It Has No Name”
  23. “Some Are Descended from Angels”
  24. “Jerrycam”
  25. “Klan Entrance” / “End of Act One”

Act II

  1. “Gloomy Nurses”
  2. “Purgatory Dawning”
  3. “Eat Excrete”
  4. “Haunting”
  5. “Him Am the Devil”
  6. “Every Last Mother Fucker Should Go Down”
  7. “Grilled & Roasted”
  8. “Transition Music”

Act III

  1. “Once in Happy Realms of Light”
  2. “Fuck You Talk”
  3. “Satan & Jesus Spat”
  4. “Adam & Eve & Mary”
  5. “Where Were You?”
  6. “Behold God”
  7. “Marriage of Heaven & Hell”
  8. “This is My Cheesey”
  9. “Jerry it is Finished”
  10. “Jerry Eleison”
  11. “Please Don’t Die”
  12. “Take Care”
  13. “Martin’s Richard-Esque Finale De Grand Fromage”
  14. “Play Out”
Awards

2004 Laurence Olivier Award: Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Performance in a Supporting Role, Best Sound Design.