Jesus Christ Superstar Live! - NBC 2018

Finally got round to watching it this morning. There were many good things about it.

The energy throughout was great - until they stopped for the adverts. It would have been so much more satisfying without the pauses - which robbed it on the dramatic flow necessary to make it all really land.

Legend really doesn't have the power at the top of his voice like a Balsamo. But he does have presence - which is key to the role. You could get a sense of why people might follow him.

Dixon made a very fine Judas. He had the acting and vocal chops to carry it off with aplomb. Bareilles had some wonderful moments as Mary - she never overdid it (which is all too easy with an under-written role like that)

I loved the rock authenticity from Erik Grönwall and Norm Lewis landed most of his low notes - though was perhaps not as menacing as he could have been.

Ben Daniels was going great guns as Pilate - until his final bars where the screaming just went wrong. Shame as up to that point he had been unexpectedly good.

I thought the flying effects for the crucifixion were very effective. Simple (in terms of look - though I doubt in execution) but very effective.

The choreography was not original. Too many literal moves for my taste. I also thought that Herod's Song needed more pizzazz from the dancers (there were some serious timing issues in the final chorus kicks) - Alice Cooper really did just phone it in. Not as good as his earlier incarnation in the role.

It was a well put together piece of musical entertainment. Not perfect. It didn't redefine the way you do musicals on TV. But it served the piece well enough.

Ordered the CD from Amazon and became available for auto rip yesterday.
Have to say I struggled to listen to it, the audience cheering for EVERYTHING is constant and very irritating. No idea why they made the recording like this as you can't see what they are cheering for. And it never ends. I really want to hear the voices and orchestration.

Assume is less annoying if you are watching. Does anyone know if there will be a DVD/Blu-ray release?
Thanks.

Whole album is available on Spotify

I enjoyed it, and thought Sara Bareilles made a wonderful Mary. I love her voice and that she kept it subtle and classy. Brandon VD also made a fantastic Judas, and even John Legend was OK - better than expected.
I thought the performance had great energy and I enjoyed the crowd reaction, I thought it added to the excitement of a live performance and blended with the 'on-stage' action.
I disliked Annas; the actor couldn't seem to decide what register to sing in, and kept changing.
I never think the bits with the officialdom work as well as the rest of the show, and this production didn't change my opinion on that. And I dislike Herod being quite so panto. But overall, I liked it and thought the end was spectacular.

Available to order on DVD from Amazon - out 15th June..

Wow!

Oo yes good point! This Emmy would do it for him. Though having seen him competition in the category (admittedly I haven't seen all performances), I'd be very surprised if he won. Wonder when else he'll get the chance to be nominated for an Emmy?!

Darren Criss was phenomenal in The Assassination of Gianni Versace - he definitely deserves to win!

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice & John Legend are all now EGOT's (technically, I guess) after this won a Creative Emmy!

www.playbill.com/article/andrew-lloyd-webber-tim-rice-john-legend-join-egot-club-with-jesus-christ-superstar-emmy-win