Is this musical/opera right on, or is it sacreligious hippie gunk?


Mr(Jesus I am on your side)Sensitive

With the exception of a very sympathetic characterization of Judas, the material itself is fairly close to Gospel narrative. As adaptations go, it is much closer to the original than "Man of La Mancha" is to "Don Quijote."

Really? I never even considered it a "sympathetic characterization of Judas". I thought he captured a good amount of humanity in Judas- the doubt, the worry, the instinct of self-preservation, and inevitably, the betrayal and regret.
I was more put off by the wimpy portrayal of Jesus, whom I envision in character and deed to be a much stronger man than portrayed in MOST film/stage depictions of Jesus.

Mr(sinking in a gentle pool of wine)Sensitive

Actually, you have a valid point. I see that in making Judas a more "positive" character, something was taken away from Jesus. Judas is more dedicated to the cause espoused than the man espousing it: "you've begun to matter more than the things you say," but shows a genuine concern for Jesus too: "and they'll hurt you if they think you've lied."

Also, at the end, after Judas commits suicide, notice he has his own resurrection in reprising the Jesus Christ, Superstar aria.

Hippie gunk, but not sacreligious. (How could a television broadcast actually hurt God??)

Any way you tell the story is likely innocent in nature, the expression of an opinion, either pro or con.

Personally, tanks chasing Judas was where I turned it off. I never did get artistic expression. It's not my bag.

I loved it when Judas was chased by tanks! Everyone is chased by their own demons. His demons just happened to have Israeli insignias and big friggin' guns! (Talk about metaphors!)

Judas was resurrected? I never saw that as a resurrection, but rather an afterlife still plagued with the doubt, questions and uncertainty he held in life ("He's just the same as any man I know. He scares me so") Judas could very well have been in hell, questioning Jesus, lumping him with others like Buddha and Mohhamad ("was that just P.R.?") and evaluating His timing, His place and motives.
("who are you, what have you sacrificed") if not the Son of God, what was His point? And if Jesus was the Son of God, what kind of sacrifice is a mortal death? ("did you know your messy death would be a record-breaker?") These questions plague man throughout his life. Do the truly devout and convinced ever question God?

Don't you get me wrong- only wanna know...

Mr(look at all my trials and tribulations)Sensitive

First, one has to remember that the tanks were Norman Jewison's take on the opera, as were the school bus and jets. Originally, it wasn't even staged; the popularity of the first recording essentially got it into the theaters. The fact that Judas is not in hell when he performs it, but rather on the scene of the rest of the work, argues in favor of a resurrection. Of equal interest is that he is symbolically dressed in white.

quote:

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Originally posted by juanruiz:

The fact that Judas is not in hell when he performs it, but rather on the scene of the rest of the work, argues in favor of a resurrection. Of equal interest is that he is symbolically dressed in white.

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Excellent point. Could it be that he is resurrected and forgiven, as Judas did what the Lord expected of him?
How many of us could sell out the Lord ("what if I just stayed here and ruined Your ambitions! Christ, you deserve it!") as part of His plan?
Would it be easier or harder than killing one's own son, as Abraham was ready to do?

Mr(if I die what will be my reward?)Sensitive