Jesus Christ Superstar, a through-sung rock opera written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is a worldwide phenomenon. Originally a best selling concept album in 1970, it went on to successful, if sometimes controversial, stage runs all over the world. It became a film in 1973 and has since been revived many times in stage and concert versions. It has also been regularly re-recorded via cast albums and other re-imaginings whether official or unofficial. Stephen Lambes book traces the history of its early iterations, placing Rices bold story within its historical and religious context. He discusses Andrew Lloyd Webbers imaginative and varied score, which expanded as the stage productions developed. He goes on to discuss the movie directed by Norman Jewison which set up its star Ted Neeley for an entire career as the archetypal Jesus. Many of the revivals, especially around the 20th and 25th anniversaries, are covered as are many of the recordings both in audio and video versions. As well as the conventional productions, there have been some bold and sometimes bizarre reworkings over the years, and the book digs into many of these with a forensic eye, making this hugely comprehensive guide a must have for all JCS fans.
