Line #86 Music/JesusChristSuperstar


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/jesus-christ-superstar-1974-film-soundtrack.jpg]]
2
3	->''Every time I look at you I don't understand\
4	Why you let the things you did get so out of hand.\
5	You'd have managed better if you'd had it planned;\
6	Why'd you choose such a backward time in such a strange land?\
7	If you'd come today you could have reached a whole nation--\
8	Israel in 4 B.C. had no mass communication!\
9	...\
10	Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ! Who are You? What have You sacrificed?\
11	Jesus Christ, Superstar, do You think You're what they say You are?''
12
13	''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a RockOpera and (subverted?) PassionPlay by Creator/AndrewLloydWebber and Creator/TimRice.
14
15	Originally released as a ConceptAlbum in 1970 (when Lloyd Webber and Rice were still in their very early twenties, no less!), it made its way to the Broadway and London stage in 1971, the Australian stage in 1972, and was adapted into a film directed by Norman Jewison in 1973. An updated version was recorded sometime around 2000 by Webber's Really Useful Group for Creator/{{PBS}}. A filmed version of the UK arena tour starring Music/TimMinchin as Judas was released on DVD and digital in 2012, and a live adaptation starting Music/JohnLegend as Jesus, Music/SaraBareilles as Mary Magdalene and Music/AliceCooper as Herod that aired on Creator/{{NBC}} in 2018.
16
17	The show lives on in stage productions and tours (and even non-theatrical tribute albums from fans who were more attracted to it as an album than a show) to this day. [[InspiredBy Inspired by]] Literature/TheFourGospels of Literature/TheBible (specifically the arrival in Jerusalem and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus), it chronicles the last seven days of Jesus' life, focusing mainly on the characters of Jesus, Judas and Mary Magdalene. It's regarded among Andrew Lloyd Webber's best works. It's a pseudo-sequel to ''Theatre/JosephAndTheAmazingTechnicolorDreamcoat'', though this took a bit more liberty with the source material and is considerably [[DarkerAndEdgier less playful]].
18
19	Depending on the production (and productions can be ''wildly'' different), the actors and settings in the show are portrayed with [[AnachronismStew blends of modern and biblical-era clothing and motifs]], running with the idea of Jesus being a rockstar-like figure (something not always appreciated by the MoralGuardians), the Apostles being [[NewAgeRetroHippie counter-cultural radicals]], and the Romans dressing in black leather and taking a {{Big Brother\|IsWatching}} approach to running TheEmpire. The 2000 filmed version updates the visual metaphors- specifically, setting it in a modern-day dystopic version of the Roman Empire with Nazi-esque guards, where Jesus' followers appear to be a street gang, seen toting submachine guns and assault rifles at times. The 2012 arena tour version and 2018 live broadcast both evoke the Occupy movement, the former more on the nose than the latter. The plot is the same, but with different things emphasized in different productions.
20
21	!!Tracklist
22	[[AC:Side One]]
23	# "Overture"
24	# "Heaven On Their Minds"
25	# "What's The Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying"
26	# "Everything's Alright"
27	# "This Jesus Must Die"
28
29	[[AC:Side Two]]
30	# "Hosanna"
31	# "Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem"
32	# "Pilate's Dream"
33	# "The Temple"
34	# "Everything's Alright (reprise)"
35	# "I Don't Know How To Love Him"
36	# "Damned For All Time/Blood Money"
37
38	[[AC:Side Three]]
39	# "The Last Supper"
40	# "Gethsemane (I Only Want To Say)"
41	# "The Arrest"
42	# "Peter's Denial"
43	# "Pilate And Christ"
44	# "Herod's Song (Try It And See)"
45
46	[[AC:Side Four]]
47	# "Judas' Death"
48	# "Trial Before Pilate (including the 39 Lashes)"
49	# "Superstar"
50	# "The Crucifixion"
51	# "John Nineteen: Forty-One"
52
53	----
54	!!What's the tropes? Tell me what's a-happening.
55	* AdaptationInducedPlothole: The 2012 arena version has Caiaphas and Annas convincing Judas to betray Jesus with a kiss so they know who to arrest. Thing is, we see them watching Jesus's social media videos and livestreams. Ergo, they already know what he looks like and where he'll be, no kiss required.
56	* AlternateShowInterpretation: ''JCS'' is prone to this depending on the social climate in which it's performed. In particular, many stagings of the musical starting in TheNewTens, including the 2018 NBC live version, have been based on the 2012 version, which was heavily informed by the Occupy Wall Street movement. As WebVideo/SchaffrillasProductions notes in his video [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvQXkGjHXKM Why Are Weird Musical Adaptations So Popular?]]:
57	-->The best thing about ''JCS'' is how versatile the setting and tone can be, while still allowing the story to work. The message is that Jesus' story is timeless and you can tell it in any way imaginable. You want tanks rolling in the desert towards Judas? You got 'em! You want the priest to have these weird futuristic triangular wizard cloaks? Go for it! You want King Herod's song to be a live celebrity roast? That's basically what it is, so sure!
58	* AmbiguousEnding:
59	** The film ends shortly after the death of Jesus with the rest of the cast simply boarding the bus; Pilate, Mary Magdalene, and Judas (last of all) look back wistfully. The matter of the resurrection is left unclear. The final shot shows the empty cross -- with a shepherd and his sheep walking past it. This was unplanned by director Norman Jewison, who left it in since audiences could take it as a subtle hint to the resurrection if they wished.
60	** Many productions leave some amount of ambiguity, but several have thrown in various hints that Jesus resurrected (such as ending with him on the cross, audibly drawing breath after dying, or just him coming out with the curtain call). According to movie/long-running stage Jesus Ted Neeley, this was a way of meeting Christian protestors in the middle.
61	** In the 2000 version of "Superstar", it's unclear if Judas has come back as a demon after killing himself, or if Jesus is merely hallucinating due to blood loss (having been brutally whipped in the previous song.)
62	* AmbiguouslyGay:
63	** Pontius Pilate is mildly campy and "theatrical" in many productions following the original, to the point of {{flanderization}} when [[Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian Monty Python did it too]]. This is probably due to the very flamboyant (and unashamed real life gay man) Creator/BarryDennen, who created the role in the ConceptAlbum, original stage production, and 1973 film, though ironically he is far campier as Barry-Dennen-about-to-play-Pilate in the FramingDevice than he is as Pilate proper. Ben Daniels skirts the same line in the 2018 version, while Fred Johansen’s 2000 version leans more toward Pilate as played by [[Creator/BrianBlessed BRIAN BLESSED!]] and Alexander Hanson’s in 2012 is simply a detached, wealthy bureaucrat.
64	** This is also a frequent tack to take with King Herod (who was played as an outright DragQueen in the first official stage production). This has grown less common over time in favor of making him TheBarnum or even CampStraight, with the camp merely a way of covering his straight horndog tendencies.
65	* AmbiguouslyJewish: The 1973 film plays this up with ''King Herod'' of all people, adding an AmbiguouslyJewish appearance (and, {{a\|mbiguouslyGay}}rguably, voice) to his stage-musical style [[OutOfGenreExperience song]]. He even flings bagels at Jesus when he chases Him away at the end of the song. The actor in the '73 film, Josh Mostel, is Zero Mostel's son, so it’s less ambiguous there, to put it lightly.
66	*** Additionally, director [[Creator/NormanJewison Norman Jewison]] (who also directed ''Theatre/FiddlerOnTheRoof'') was a [[NonIndicativeName Christian]].
67	* AnachronismStew: Common in productions, which often blend together modern and biblical-era clothing and motifs.
68	** In the 1973 film, for instance, some characters like Mary Magdalene and Jesus have decent costumes. Then you see the Roman guards, whose armor consists of purple tank tops, cargo pants, combat boots, [=MP40s=] (as used by Nazis during [=WW2=]), and sticks. Other people for crowd scenes seemingly just walk onto the camera with whatever they're wearing, and Judas runs away from tanks in one scene. Justified in that [[FramingDevice the film was set up as]] something a busload of hippies were putting on in the middle of the desert for some reason.
69	** In the 2000 version, Jesus sees that the Temple has become a UsefulNotes/LasVegas-like Tourist Trap, especially with TabletopGame/{{Poker}} games, slot machines, {{Professional Gambler}}s, [=TVs=], [[BreathWeapon fire-breathers]], and a [[TheQuincyPunk guard]] with [[DelinquentHair mohawk hair]] (though this is perhaps justified in it being a more modern adaptation).
70	** Even more justified than the anachronisms in the 2000 version are those in the 2012 arena tour, as it appears to have been transplanted to some kind of Occupy camp (Occupy Jerusalem, perhaps...?), but the Temple in ''that'' version has been turned into a nightclub, complete with drag queens dressed as angels and devils, and topless dancers.
71	** Alternatively, some productions may be [[HollywoodHistory (relatively)]] faithful to the time period and setting for the most part... only to throw that all out the window and depict King Herod's scene like a UsefulNotes/LasVegas nightclub. This heightens the [[OutOfGenreExperience contrasting juxtaposition]] of this one comic relief song and ends up making it even funnier as a result.
72	** A 2017 all-female production pulled the setting all the way up, with "What's the Buzz?" translated to Website/{{Twitter}} and Herod being an Creator/{{Oprah\|Winfrey}}-style talk show host.
73	** The 2019 London revival and US tour have the characters literally carrying around microphones throughout the musical to sing into... which is especially noticeable because this particular production tends towards more accurate portrayals of the era.
74	** The lyrics are often intentionally anachronistic as well, peppered with slang and slogans that don't exactly evoke Israel in 4 BC. One of the running themes is the portrayal of Jesus as a 20th century celebrity or activist.
75	*** "The Arrest" in particular is phrased in a very modern way, and usually staged as a sort of reporters' scrum with a scandal-plagued celebrity who has no comment ("Do you think that you may retire?/Did you think you would get much higher?/How do you view your coming trial?"). Caiaphas, in turn, refers to Jesus making claims in "all your handouts."
76	*** Taken to the next step in the NBC live concert production, where some of the crowd in "The Arrest" (as well as one of Peter's accusers in "Peter's Denial") are recording the incident with smartphone cameras.
77	** Even the actual lyrics get in on this sometimes. In the title song, Judas references mass communication (and directly acknowledges that it doesn't exist yet), and the Muslim prophet Muhammad (who wasn't born until ''centuries'' after Jesus died). Justified, as Judas is dead when he sings this, and possibly a ghost, angel, or demon, depending on the production -- temporal laws need not apply.
78	* {{Angrish}}: "Don't believe -- our good -- save Him -- if I could!"
79	* AngryMobSong: ''"WE NEED HIM CRUCIFIED, IT'S ALL YOU HAVE TO DO! CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM!"''
80	* AntiVillain:
81	** Judas, portrayed with sympathetic motivation throughout.
82	** Pilate too, much as in the canonical gospels.
83	** Caiaphas and the other priests. Their actions are cruel and ruthless, but they genuinely believe that they are preventing a rebellion that could otherwise bring down Roman retaliation on Judea.
84	* ArmorPiercingQuestion: "Hey JC, JC, won't you die for me?"
85	* ArtisticLicenseHistory: AnachronismStew aside, Pilate wearing purple makes absolutely no sense as that was reserved for the imperial family while the historical Pilate was most likely just a member of the nobility. This extends to the Roman soldiers in the 1973 film with their purple tank tops as well. Due to the Roman uniform including a red tunic rather than a purple one, they should be wearing red tank tops instead.
86	* BecauseDestinySaysSo: Essentially the entire work - Jesus knows [[ForegoneConclusion he's meant to die]], and his and Judas' increasing frustration that they can't prevent/avert what is meant to happen is what causes them to butt heads at the Last Supper. Best summed up in this line by Jesus (to Pilate, in an attempt to ease Pilate's moral conflict at condemning a man he knows to be innocent).
87	-->'''Jesus:''' You have nothing in your hands. Any power you have comes to you from far beyond. Everything is fixed, ''and you can't change it.''
88	* BecomingTheMask: Jesus, according to Judas:
89	-->Jesus!\
90	You started to believe the things they say of you.\
91	You really do ''believe'' this talk of God is true!\
92	And all the good you've done will soon get swept away.\
93	YOU begun to matter more than the things you say!
94	** Becomes a metaphysical example in the 1973 version, as it occurs right after the scene where the hippie actors step out of the bus and put on their costumes to become the biblical characters.
95	* BerserkButton:
96	** Old JC does ''not'' like his temple being used as a market.
97	--->'''Jesus:''' MY TEMPLE SHOULD BE A HOUSE OF PRAYER...BUT YOU HAVE MADE IT A DEN OF THIEVES!
98	** King Herod spends most of his song in a seemingly cheerful mood but seems to genuinely get angry when Jesus refuses to play along with his degrading requests.
99	* BewareTheSillyOnes: "Herod's Song" is the closest thing the show has to comic relief, and Herod is often depicted clowning around, sometimes as a combination of LaughablyEvil or CampGay. But despite the humorous lyrics and vaudeville-style tone, this is actually a mocking VillainSong directed at Jesus, who usually spends the number stone-faced and silent. And the whole thing ends with Jesus being sent back to Pilate, putting the final sequence of events in motion that will end with Jesus' death.
100	* BiggerThanJesus: Jesus himself is described as "bigger than John was when John did his Baptism thing".
101	* BigNo:
102	** Delivered by Mary in the 2000 film version of "Pilate & Christ":
103	--->'''Pilate:''' You're Herod's race!\
104	'''Mary:''' NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!\
105	'''Pilate:''' You're Herod's case!
106	** The 2012 Broadway revival also has Mary react this way, but this time to [[spoiler:witnessing Judas's suicide]].
107	* BitingTheHandHumor:
108	** The 2012 British Arena tour version has Herod's song, performed by Radio/ChrisMoyles, be a TakeThat at Creator/{{ITV}}1 style {{Talent Show}}s, replete with showing Herod's judgement of Jesus as a false god being based on TV viewer's votes. Guess how Ben Forster, this version's Jesus, was selected?
109	** Used again in the Australian Arena Tour, with Herod now played by Andrew O'Keefe, host of the long running series ''Series/DealOrNoDeal'', who essentially spends every minute on stage making fun of himself.
110	* BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord: "It isn't blood money, it's a fee, nothing more."
111	* BlatantLies:
112	** "It's not that I object to her profession..."
113	** Judas does this a lot. "Jesus wouldn't mind that I was here with you!"
114	** Almost everything Judas sings in "Damned For All Time" is a blatant lie, from the above line to "I weighed the whole thing out before I came to you" (it's portrayed as more of an impulse decision -- in the movie, he flees from tanks straight to the temple) to "I have no thought at all about my own reward" (the whole song is his plea to be "rewarded" in the form of a clean reputation). Annas immediately calls him out on this:
115	-->'''Annas:''' Cut the protesting, forget the excuses...
116	* {{Bookends}}:
117	** Pay attention to that little tune that is played at the very beginning. The same is played at the very end.
118	** Also a very subtle example with Judas - the first thing he says in the show is "my mind is clearer now", and one of the last things he says (while still alive) is "my mind is in darkness now".
119	* BothSidesHaveAPoint:
120	** Judas is concerned about how Jesus potentially looks bad by letting a reformed prostitute dote on him, and that she anoints him with expensive oils and ointments. He notes that they could have used the money to spend on the poor. Mary reassures Judas that her intentions are pure, because she doesn't want any of the apostles to be stressed about their current situation.
121	** Caiaphas and Annas give sixty silver pieces to Judas in exchange for his intel. He refuses, rightly pointing out that it's blood money. They retort rightly that it depends on one's perspective and that Judas can use the money to feed the poor or donate to a charity.
122	* BreadEggsMilkSquick: A wicked part in ''The Arrest'':
123	-->'''Crowds:''' Come with us to see Caiaphas!\
124	You'll just love the high priest's house!\
125	You'll just love seeing Caiaphas!\
126	You'll just die in the high priest's house!
127	** Also, arguably, the way the last line of the chorus changes during "Hosanna":
128	--->Hey JC, JC, won't you smile at me?\
129	...\
130	Hey JC, JC, you're all right by me.\
131	...\
132	Hey JC, JC, won't you fight for me?\
133	...\
134	Hey JC, JC, won't you ''die'' for me?
135	* BreakingTheFourthWall: The 2018 NBC version has Jesus and his followers enter through the audience for Hosanna, and audience members can be seen singing along and straining to be touched. Are they reaching for Jesus, or Music/JohnLegend?
136	* BrokenAce: The Jesus we see in this show is, by his own admissions, a shell of his former self, no longer as confident in his work and all too aware of his coming demise.
137	-->'''Jesus:''' Then, I was inspired. Now, I'm sad and tired.
138	* BrokenRecord:
139	** "What's the buzz? Tell me what's a-happenin'."
140	** "Everything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes..."
141	** "You have murdered me! Murdered me murdered me murdered me murdered me murdered me murdered me murdered..."
142	* BSODSong: "Judas' Death" for Judas and "Gethsemane" for Jesus.
143	* BuffySpeak: "...than John was when John did his baptism thing?"
144	* {{Camp}}: Pilate is highly, shall we say, "exaggerated", especially in the 39 lashes.
145	* CampGay: Herod, in many productions. In the 1973 film, he's practically an {{expy}} of Music/EltonJohn.
146	** Also subverted in some of these; it's a façade that he keeps to hide his actual accent. In RealLife, Herod was a notorious womanizer, and the whole CampGay thing was something his detractors made up to discredit him. Thus, some productions (including the 2000 film) now portray Herod as a Seedy Hollywood Agent/1980s yuppie-type who seems to be tolerating Jesus' presence as a favor to a friend.
147	** The 1996 London Cast Recording got Music/AliceCooper to sing the Herod song, who later makes an appearance in the 2018 televised stage production. Make of that what you will.
148	** In the original West End production, Creator/RichardOBrien played Herod as an ElvisImpersonator. It did not go down well, and he left after one night in the role.
149	* CelebrityParadox:
150	** In the 2012 arena production, Mary Magdalene has a number of tattoos (which are actually the actress's own) -- including a large crucifix on one arm, which is clearly visible when she takes her jacket off during "I Don't Know How to Love Him".
151	** This is also the case with Simon from the 2000 version, whose actor also has a large crucifix tattoo on his arm which is kept permanently visible throughout due to exclusively costuming him in tank tops. However, in both cases it could arguably be justified, since crucifixion was one of the more popular methods of execution for Roman-subjugated Jewish criminals at the time (historically speaking) - if one needed an explanation for the characters having crucifix tattoos, it's possible to interpret them as memorials for friends/loved ones who had already suffered that fate.
152	* ChaosOfTheBells: The bridge section of the song "Gethsemane" is a dramatically arranged, discordant rendition of "Carol of the Bells" [[UncommonTime in 5/4 time]], used to underscore Jesus' dismay and worry about his upcoming crucifixion.
153	* ChewingTheScenery:
154	** Jesus in "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_mJgVwQ3Qw Gethsemane]]"
155	** Judas in every song, especially as played by [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDzxn66W3uM Carl Anderson]].
156	** Pilate in [[WorldOfHam every song]], really.
157	** If you can't find teeth marks in the props after Herod's performance, it wasn't done right.
158	** Justified in that this is a rock opera. Both Rock and Opera are known for not exactly being realist drama.
159	* CityShoutOuts: In the 2018 TV production, Music/AliceCooper as King Herod belts out during the instrumental break, "HELLO, JERUSALEM! ''[[LargeHam I AM YOUR KING!]]''"
160	* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: In the 1973 film, all the Romans wear purple, the high priests wear black, Jesus wears white, and Mary Magdalene and Judas primarily wear orange.[[note]]However, Mary and Judas each get a number where they question Jesus's plan, during which they wear white.[[/note]]
161	* ComicallyMissingThePoint: Simon gets an entire song dedicated to how he and the other hangers-on think Jesus is there to violently overthrow the Romans. This is especially the case in the 2000 film, where Jesus doesn't bother to hide his dismay at Simon's actions, which include leading an attack on the Roman guard sent to break up the crowd despite Jesus trying to calm things down, but Simon's totally oblivious to Jesus' reaction!
162	* CompositeCharacter:
163	** Mary Magdalene in the musical's story combines elements of herself with that of Mary, the sister of Martha, whose "waste" of costly perfume on Jesus was derided by Judas.
164	** Pilate himself has "Pilate's Dream" and sings about it, instead of his wife, though some productions like the 1973 film include her as a non-speaking role.
165	* CosmicPlaything: Judas regards himself as one [[BSODSong at the end]].
166	* CreepyHighPitchedVoice: Annas sings entirely in falsetto (except for situations where he's played by a cis woman, obviously).
167	** Played with with Jesus himself. He's not creepy, obviously, but his high voice and long falsetto notes (which are sometimes played as [[MetalScream metal screams]] instead) mark him as ([[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane possibly?]]) otherworldly.
168	* CruelToBeKind: This is one interpretation of Jesus telling Judas to hurry up and betray him. Judas even threatens to stay out of spite and not give Jesus that arbitrary satisfaction. Jesus tells him just go ahead and do it because he doesn't want one of his friends dragged with him during the arrest. Some stagings have his face showing anguish about making Judas do this.
169	* CrowdSong: "Hosanna" and "Simon Zealotes".
170	* DarkerAndEdgier: Compared to Webber and Rice's earlier ''Joseph''.
171	** The 2000 version compared to the original incarnations. Webber said that he wanted to give a new design for the musical, saying that the funky disco and sequined leisure suits were fresh for its time, but he wanted to make it into something the younger people could relate to.
172	** The 2018 NBC performance takes place in a harsh, barren city-scape, with many of the characters and musicians dressed in leather or punk attire.
173	** It's reached the point now where it's probably fair to say that each new professional production will more often than not be this to whatever came before it, often justified by keeping up to date with the state of the modern world. Make of that what you will...
174	* DarkReprise: Several, as melodies and leitmotifs recur throughout [[SignatureStyle (typical for an ALW composition)]].
175	** "Judas' Death" alone is comprised of dark snippets of "Damned for All Time/Blood Money," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," and "Heaven on Their Minds." Almost all the pieces after the interval (some even earlier) are reprisals of earlier ones.
176	** The climactic "Trial Before Pilate" is a dark reprise of ''the Overture.'' Additionally the majestic instrumental piece that opens "Pilate and Christ" is used when Pilate begs Jesus to let him help him.
177	** "Pilate and Christ" is this to "Hosanna". The latter is a CrowdSong sung by Jesus' adoring followers, while part of the reprise is sung by these same followers ''after'' they've turned against him.
178	** The song that closes the musical, "John Nineteen: Forty-One", is an instrumental version of "Gethsemane" that plays after Jesus has died on the cross.
179	* DatedHistory: The show does an admirable job of conveying the historical context of the Passion of Christ. However, it includes the then-popular interpretation of Mary Magdalene as a reformed prostitute. Mary's entire character (and her big song) are centered around this (when she says she doesn't know how to love Jesus, she means it literally...the only way she's ever known how to express love is physically and that's not appropriate here). But the whole idea of Mary Magdalene as a prostitute sprung from a misreading by Pope Gregory that conflated her with Mary of Bethany and with the penitent sinner who washed Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair. There is no mention in the Bible of Mary being a prostitute; instead, the gospels describe her as one of several independently wealthy women who helped fund Jesus' ministry. Pope Gregory's misconception gave Christianity the figure of a repentant sinner whose life was transformed by Jesus, and art, literature, and other Passion narratives have run with this far into the twentieth century. Only relatively recently has Mary's true role in the disciples been getting more emphasis and the misconception corrected in various Passion narratives.
180	* DecadentCourt: Herod's clique in the 1973 version, Jesus' clique in the 2000 version. In both cases a PsychopathicManchild surrounding himself with yes-men. In the 2000 case also rife with constant infighting, with Judas versus Mary and Jesus versus Simon trying to outmaneuver each other for power as the build-up for Judas betraying Jesus.
181	* DeadpanSnarker: Judas, in the 1973 version.
182	* DemotedToExtra: Aside from Judas, Peter and Simon, the disciples are simply members of the company who come across as [[AdaptationalDumbass a group of naive, bloodthirsty or lazy idiots, depending on the scene.]]
183	** Peter in particular is this, since he's a fairly major figure in the Gospels, not to mention Catholicism. Here, he comes across as helpless and cowardly, his biggest moment coming when he betrays Jesus to save himself. This is one of the aspects of the show that can rub religious members of the audience the wrong way, as the traditionally "villainous" characters in the Gospels are given much more sympathy and depth.
184	* DenOfIniquity: The Temple in the song of the same name, as portrayed in the theatrical and stage productions, complete with suggestively-dressed women and all sorts of shady characters. This really sets off Jesus' BerserkButton as He chases them all out.
185	-->'''Jesus:''' My Temple should be a house of prayer! But you have made it a den of thieves! {{GET OUT}}! GET OUT!
186	* DespairEventHorizon:
187	** The lyrics give the hint that Jerusalem, and the greater whole of Israel, is not handling the Roman occupation all that well. At the right angle, the Temple song could be seen as the population throwing themselves into luxury and sin because it's all they have left to do freely. "Here you live, Jerusalem / Here you breathe Jerusalem / While your temple still survives / You at least are still alive" paints a...pretty grim picture.
188	** It also adds some context to Jesus' anger at the business going on in the temple and his growing detachment from earthly politics. Being from Galilee, outside of Roman-occupied Judea, he doesn't understand that a lot of these people are probably doing business in the Temple because it's the only safe place they have left.
189	** Shortly following that, Jesus is showing signs of it as his day of reckoning approaches. Although it's hinted to be a nightmare, he finds himself surrounded and quickly overwhelmed by lepers begging for his help. While most versions ends with Jesus yelling at them "heal thyselves", the '73 movie has the much more emotional "leave me alone".
190	* DidntThinkThisThrough: Judas lived under Roman occupation and should have been well aware of the Roman's brutality toward prisoners. Nevertheless, after he betrays Jesus to the authorities, he's genuinely shocked when the Roman guards torture Jesus.
191	-->'''Judas:''' My God, I saw him! He looked three-quarters dead! And he was so bad I had to turn my head. You beat him so hard that he was bent and lame, and I know who everybody's gonna blame.
192	* DivineRaceLift: A rather downplayed version in most versions. Even though Jesus was a Middle Eastern man, most versions of ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' cast fair-skinned white actors in the role of Jesus. But there are fair-skinned Middle Eastern people who can pass for Englishmen or Americans, and the historical Jesus would probably have been no darker than a Sicilian or Southern European man.
193	** Played straight in the 2018 televised stage production which features an African American man, John Legend, in the role of Jesus.
194	** The rest of the cast is traditionally played by a variety of races, following precedent set by the 1971 cast (with a black Judas (Ben Vereen) and a Hapa Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman)).
195	* {{Doublespeak}}: It isn't blood money. It's a fee, nothing more. Right, Judas?
196	* DownerEnding: The story ends after the crucifixion with few hints at the following resurrection, so it can seem a bit depressing if you're unfamiliar with the [[Literature/TheBible supplementary materials]]. What's more, Judas and Pilate have failed to avert the fates they saw for themselves, the disciples seem to have disbanded, and it's unclear whether Jesus' death will even mean anything or if it was AllForNothing.
197	* DreamingOfThingsToCome: "Pilate's Dream" where he (unlike his wife in the Bible) has the dream foreshadowing Jesus' arrival before him and death.
198	-->''Then I saw thousands of millions crying for this man\
199	And then I heard them mentioning my name...and leaving me the blame.''
200	* DrivenToSuicide: Judas hangs himself (or in some productions, shoots himself) after betraying Jesus.
201	* TheElevenOClockNumber: "Superstar", as Judas questions Jesus's methods of delivering the word of God to the masses, and if Christ knew that His HeroicSacrifice would still be discussed, celebrated, debated but ultimately remembered thousands of years later.
202	* EpicRocking: "The Last Supper." Also, "Overture", "Heaven on Their Minds", "What's the Buzz/Strange Thing Mystifying", and "Everything's Alright" are all performed as one extremely long song, clocking in at about 17 minutes.
203	* EurekaMoment: Of the dark sort. During the Hosanna song, Jesus sings along with the crowd, saying they're just as blessed as he is. However, during Simon Zelotes’s song, you can see his face change to a "that's ''not'' what I'm here for" expression as Simon sings about keeping the crowds yelling devotion, but turning it against Rome, using the power of hate.
204	* EveryoneHasStandards: No matter the interpretation or staging, one thing remains constant: Jesus has no respect for Herod, who, while not the same man that tried to have him killed as an infant, did order the murder of John the Baptist and was a tyrant all the same. He stares at him with a stony DeathGlare and refuses to perform miracles for a whimsical tyrant.
205	* EvilIsHammy: Pilate, Caiaphas, Herod, Annas.
206	* EvilSoundsDeep: Caiaphas, the high priest responsible for Jesus' trial, is usually a bass.
207	** This is emphasized by pairing him with Annas, who's usually a countertenor (the highest voice type for a male) or even a crosscast contralto.
208	* ExactWords:
209	-->'''Caiaphas:''' ''(comforting Judas)'' "What you have done will be the saving of Israel! / You'll be remembered forever for this."
210	* ExpectingSomeoneTaller: Pilate has this reaction when he first meets Jesus in the song "Pilate and Christ":
211	-->''Oh, so this is Jesus Christ, I am really quite surprised\
212	You look so small - not a king at all''
213	* ExternalRetcon: Retells the story from Judas's perspective.
214	* FacelessGoons: In the 2000 version, the Roman soldiers wear full-length coats and face-hiding helmets that have invited [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]] comparisons.
215	* FacePalm:
216	** Judas's reaction to Simon's song in the 2000 version.
217	** Jesus at the start of Herod's song in the same version.
218	* FanDisservice:
219	** Oper Bonn's lashing scene. Shirtless Mark Seibert as Jesus? Yum. Shirtless Mark being lashed, screaming out with every hit, then falling over to reveal a bloody, mangled back? ''Not.''
220	** Similarly, the 2014 Swedish Arena Tour. Jesus shirtless, suspended, getting whipped? Kinky. Then ''oh my god the blood make it stop.''
221	* {{Fanservice}}:
222	** The 2000 filmed version has shirtless Pilate and {{dominatrix}} angels.
223	** Not to mention the apostles in leather pants. And Jesus's tight cargo pants. And the ''entire'' temple scene.
224	** In the 1973 version, the high priests all go shirtless. And Caiaphas is ripped.
225	** The 1973 version also has a rare occurrence of male NavelDeepNeckline, in the form of Judas' shirt.
226	** The Oper Bonn production has a shirtless Jesus in the background of "I Don't Know How to Love Him".
227	** On the female side, the 1973 version has prostitutes dancing provocatively in the Temple scene. Doubles as FanDisservice because of the context and the stressful music.
228	** The 2018 NBC performance features Judas wearing tight pants and a low-cut shirt. During his trial, Jesus also wears a low-cut undershirt. Herod is surrounded by scantily-clad dancing girls during his song.
229	* FauxAffablyEvil: Herod pretends to be polite and friendly for most of his number, telling Jesus he's a "captive fan" and appearing to offer him freedom. Of course, it's all a cruel joke, and when Jesus refuses to respond Herod seems to genuinely lose his cool.
230	* ForegoneConclusion: It's a PassionPlay, so the entire plot including the conclusion is predetermined.
231	* {{Foreshadowing}}: Overlaps with IronicEcho and DarkReprise.
232	** Isolated lines from "Superstar" appear earlier in the story, particularly the chorus of "Jesus Christ, Superstar!" during "This Jesus Must Die" and Judas' "Every time I look at you I don't understand" while he's fighting with Jesus in "The Last Supper".
233	** Jesus gets a brief line from "Gethsemane" ("After all, I've tried for three years... seems like thirty...") in between the two halves of "The Temple".
234	* FramingDevice: In the 1973 film, the entire musical is a performance by a bunch of hippies in the desert.
235	* FreezeFrameBonus:
236	** At the end of the 1973 film, after the bus drives away, you can make out a shepherd guiding his sheep near the foot of the cross.
237	** In the 2012 version, when Herod is judging Jesus, there's a disclaimer reading: "These results are for entertainment purposes only, and do not reflect any real votes. The outcome is predetermined by the character of King Herod, who clearly is going to find Jesus guilty of being a fraud, otherwise it would be a very short Act 2."
238	* FunnyBackgroundEvent:
239	** In the 2000 version, when Jesus says "This is my blood you drink, this is my body you eat" one of the disciples has a {{Squick}} reaction, throwing the bread on the table and wiping off his hands on his pants.
240	** Judas' reactions are often better than whatever's going on in the foreground in that movie.
241	* GetOut: Jesus screams this to the marketers in the Temple in "The Temple". In "The Last Supper", Jesus screams this to Judas to get him to do what his heart set out to do. In "King Herod's Song", Herod tells Jesus, "Get out of my life!"
242	* GhostSong: Judas comes back to sing the title song as Jesus is marched up to the crucifixion site. (See page quote).
243	* GodTest: Herod to Jesus in "Herod's Song":
244	-->Prove to me that you're divine / Change my water into wine...\
245	Prove to me that you're no fool / Walk upon my swimming pool....
246	* GoodColorsEvilColors: The show's not quite subtle about its color palette.
247	** Jesus is always in white and khaki. Judas is in red and, especially after his betrayal, black. Mary Magdalene is usually in red, but changes to white for "Could We Start Again, Please?". (In the 2018 NBC version, she wears orange.) The High Priests wear black. Pilate wears purple (which denotes royalty) as do his family and soldiers. The apostles are usually in greens and blues.
248	** Done in different ways with Judas' final song in the movies. In the '70s, Judas returns as an angel, dressed all in white with a wing-like fringe on his arms. In the 2000 version, Judas and his backup are clad all in red leather, thus implying that he's a demon. The 2012 arena tour has him in grey and black alongside traditional angels, hinting at a stint in purgatory.
249	* GreyAndGrayMorality: Aside from Herod, the "villains" of the show are all given at least some context for what they do, making it more this than the traditional PassionPlay, which usually treats the crucifixion as Jesus' straightforward HeroicSacrifice. Here, Judas and Caiaphas are [[WellIntentionedExtremist Well Intentioned Extremists]], both trying to avoid provoking war with Rome for TheNeedsOfTheMany, while Pilate is a PunchClockVillain at worst who actually tries to save Jesus' life and speaks out against the crowd demanding his death. By contrast, the supposed "good" characters do plenty of less-than-noble things: Jesus spends most of the show as a brooding cypher, the Apostles are selfish followers who don't understand Jesus' teachings, Simon just wants to use Jesus to spark a violent uprising, and Peter is a coward who denies knowing Jesus to save himself. And on top of all that, Jesus' divinity is (usually) left ambiguous, making his actions even murkier.
250	* HamToHamCombat: "The Last Supper" sees Jesus and Judas go up against each other in notes so high it would take a ''miracle'' to duplicate.
251	* HatOfAuthority: In the 1973 film, Caiaphas and the other priests have some extraordinary headgear, to the point where the Sanhedrin looks more than a little like a BrotherhoodOfFunnyHats.
252	* HeavyMetal: "Overture", "Heaven on Their Minds", and "Damned For All Time" all have what was, for 1970, very surreal-sounding and/or lightning-fast guitar work.
253	* HellBentForLeather: The High Priests and Pharisees. In the 2018 NBC performance, Judas also wears leather pants and a leather vest.
254	* HeroicBSOD: Many characters. Most notably, Judas becomes increasingly conflicted [[CosmicPlaything with his role in Jesus' life]] before being [[DrivenToSuicide driven to suicide near the end of the work]]. Pilate, likewise, has a breakdown when he condemns Jesus to death in accordance with the public's request ("Trial by Pilate"). Jesus [[BecauseDestinySaysSo struggles with the knowledge of his imminent death]] but [[ButThouMust knows he has to because that's what he was born to do]] ("Gethsemane").
255	* HesitantSacrifice: Jesus in ''Gethsemane''.
256	* HippieJesus: Christ, as well as the Apostles in the 1973 version. At one point, after Judas riles Jesus by suggesting he not spend time with ex-prostitutes, one of the followers says "Hey, cool it, man!"
257	* HippieVan: The 1973 version has the cast arriving in a long bus.
258	* HistoricalHeroUpgrade:
259	** The key individuals responsible for Jesus's death (Judas, Caiaphas, Pilate) are given much more sympathetic depictions than almost anywhere else. Herod's still a jerk, though.
260	** In the 2000 version, Caiaphas is made a touch more sympathetic yet--he's visibly ''very'' conflicted about what to do about Jesus, and it's pressure from the other priests that convinces him, "''He is daaangerous!''"
261	* HonorBeforeReason: Pilate lampshades that Jesus is being stupid about this. He tries convincing him to give a straight answer of "yes" or "no" about if he's the son of God, and if there is a reason to release him. Jesus is committed to his death.
262	* HookerWithAHeartOfGold: Mary Magdalene.
263	* IDontWantToDie: Jesus is less than pleased about the fact that God wants him to die and argues with him about it. Even more horrifying if the audience interprets that God was never really there and Jesus was buying his own hype.
264	* IgnoredEpiphany: Pilate's dream. In the 2018 NBC version, Ben Daniels’ Pilate visibly realizes that Jesus is the Galilean man he dreamed of, recoils, and begins pleading with the crowd to stop scapegoating Jesus. Too bad he’s still a JerkAss about it and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam sneers at them in disgust for their bloodlust rather than rationally arguing in Jesus’ favor]].
265	* ImAHumanitarian: Violently defied in the 2000 version of the last supper, as one of the apostles reacts with disgust against the food while Jesus sings "''this is my blood you drink, this is my body you eat''".
266	* IncrediblyLongNote: The climactic MetalScream (''"See... how... I... '''DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEE'''"'') in "Gethsemane" can fall under this. The champion is probably Steve Balsamo, from the 1996 London cast; on the soundtrack album, he holds the note a full ''twenty seconds''.
267	** Also, in newer performances, the last line (''"Now... beeeefoooore IIIII chaaaaange myyyyy '''MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIND'''"'') is sung twice, with the second "mind" being prolonged until the end of the song when the final crescendo finishes.
268	* InformedAbility:
269	** In the 1973 version, we see no basis for the claim that Mary Magdalene is "calm and cool and running every show." (The 2000 version has the same lyrics, but the character now fits with them.)
270	** It's a RunningGag that a few versions of Jesus are played by tall actors, such as John Legend. That makes it hilarious when Pilate says he was literally ExpectingSomeoneTaller. What, are they expecting a giant?
271	* InsanityDefense: Pilate tries this on Jesus. How much [[JesusWasCrazy he really is insane]] depends on production.
272	* InstantlyProvenWrong: "Everything's Alright" is immediately followed by the priests deciding that "This Jesus Must Die".
273	* IronicEcho: The first time we hear the phrase "Jesus Christ, Superstar" is during "This Jesus Must Die", when the crowd is cheering for Jesus. Then the mob turns on him after his arrest and we hear the full song as sung by Judas...
274	* IWantMyMommy: Jesus, in the 1970 album, the 2000 production, and the 2018 NBC performance: "Where is my mother? WHERE IS MY MOTHER?!"
275	* {{Jerkass God\|s}}:
276	** While ultimately heroic as always (assuming his death counted for something in the end, which here is debatable), this version of Jesus is hardly the image of IncorruptiblePurePureness most people are used to seeing. He screams at people to leave him alone, [[NietzscheWannabe takes a nihilistic point of view a distressing number of times]], and at one point is cuttingly sarcastic to his own followers:
277	-->'''Jesus:''' For all you care / This wine could be my blood / For all you care / This bread could be my body.
278	** Jesus sees his Father as this as well, demanding to know during "Gethsemane" what justice there could be in his having to die, receiving no answer. By the end of the song he is quite bitter, and sulkily tells God to send the mob to arrest him "before I change my mind."
279	** Could actually be justified in Jesus' case, when you think about it. After all, when someone knows that they have to give their life up for the greater good but doesn't feel ready for it at all, while also being surrounded by fair-weather disciples and enemies who are hell-bent on killing them just because of their teachings (and the fact that they claim to be the Messiah), could anyone blame the person for being more than frustrated later on? If anything, this complex portrayal of Jesus serves to show the audience that he's more than just God on Earth; he's a fleshed-out individual who is just as human as he is divine.
280	* JesusWasCrazy: ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is (among other things) built like a point-counterpoint debate regarding who and what Jesus was.
281	** While Mary Magdalene and the apostle Simon represent two very different versions of JesusWasWayCool, Pontius Pilate goes down the Jesus Was Crazy road - [[InsanityDefense trying to defend Jesus by arguing that he's insane]].
282	** Note that the "cool vs crazy" debate is not about being for or against Jesus. Pilate is trying to save him, while Caiaphas, who is trying to get him crucified, subscribes to the "Jesus is cool" camp (but fears what Rome will do if he continues).
283	** Meanwhile, Judas claims his "admiration for [Jesus] hasn't died," and yet complains about how he is turning increasingly mentally unstable under the pressure from his believers.
284	* JesusWasWayCool: Even Caiaphas is impressed.
285	-->'''Caiaphas:''' One thing I'll say for him, Jesus is cool.
286	** The 2000 and 2018 versions (probably because the original lyric had entered TotallyRadical territory) instead have this line delivered by a nameless priest, who isn't so impressed:
287	--->'''Priest:''' Infantile sermons, the multitude drools!
288	** According to Tim Rice's autobiography "Oh, what a circus!", the reason for the change of that line was purely a matter of style: he wanted to remove a false rhyme. But, after a friend of his son wrote him about it, he concluded that sometimes technique is less important than a visceral approach[[note]]''"I still came up with several false rhymes, which annoys me now [...] Indeed one or two JCS fans complained to me about the changes; for example I altered a priest's line from 'One thing I'll say for him Jesus is cool' to 'Infantile sermons – the multitude drools' in order to rhyme with 'Miracle wonderman, hero of fools', and received a letter from a young friend of my son suggesting that the entire flavor of that scene, if not the first act, had been lost. Sometimes technique is less important than a visceral approach."''[[/note]].
289	* KangarooCourt: All three of Jesus's trials; at the hands of Caiaphas, Herod and Pilate.
290	* KilledMidSentence: The 1973 film presents Judas' death this way. He shouts "murdered me", ending with "murdered..." just as he hangs himself. In the 2000 film, however, he breaks down crying mid-sentence and actually kills himself some time later. Technically, he still dies with his sentence unfinished.
291	* LargeHam: Herod. ''Dear God'', Herod.
292	* LaughablyEvil: Herod can be played as this, depending on how his song is staged. It tends to drop away at least a little at the final verse, though.
293	* LittleNo: Pilate's wife shakes her head when Pilate orders Jesus flogged to appease the mob in the 1973 film.
294	* [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane Maybe Divine, Maybe Mundane]]: One of the most controversial aspects of the show when it first ran. Jesus' divinity is never confirmed in the lyrics: his miracles are only referenced, not seen, and nothing supernatural is ever depicted for sure. It's entirely possible to interpret him as either the actual son of God or a well-meaning but aloof mortal religious leader undone by his own hype. Obviously, different productions can choose to lean further in either direction.
295	* LyricalDissonance:
296	** "Simon Zealotes" sounds joyful and hopeful, but it's actually a rather terrifying screed in which Simon politicizes Jesus' teachings and seems ready to go to war against the Romans, something the show implies will have disastrous consequences. The refrain "Christ you know I love you/Did you see I waved/I believe in you and God/So tell me that I'm saved" suggests that the people celebrating Jesus don't actually care about what he's saying and just want to be "saved." Jesus himself calls Simon out for this in his response song, "Poor Jerusalem."
297	** "Herod's Song" is one of the most memorable in the whole score for being fun and upbeat, but don't forget that it's a VillainSong mocking Jesus as his crucifixion seems all but inevitable. And it gets even darker if you take Herod's role in the New Testament into account.
298	* MeaningfulBackgroundEvent: During "Simon Zealotes" in the 1973 film version, Roman soldiers can be seen gathering to observe the commotion. Judas is also in the background, visibly disturbed by the events before storming off during the next song, "Poor Jerusalem".
299	* MediumAwareness: When Jesus is being taken to trial, one of his fans confidently shouts, "You'll escape in the final reel!" [[WrongGenreSavvy Unfortunately...]]
300	* MetalScream: Jesus and Judas across productions, dating back to [[Music/DeepPurple Ian Gillan]] and Murray Head respectively on the original Concept Album. Ted Neeley (as Jesus) and Carl Anderson (an understudy for Ben Vereen as Judas) became famous for the roles on stage and film, since Gillan and Head had become too successful as musicians to perform, and duplicating their vocal range can be quite difficult for other actors. Interestingly, Murray Head is not black; Ben Vereen and subsequently Carl Anderson pioneered that idea, in no small part because Anderson simply had the voice for the notes.
301	* MilkingTheGiantCow: Jesus and Judas in the 1973 film.
302	* MoodWhiplash:
303	** The juxtaposition of Mary Magdalene's sweet anthem "Everything's Alright" with Judas's angry accusations against her probably qualifies. An even better example is the jarring shift on the concept album from King Herod's comical music-hall number to Judas's histrionic reaction to seeing the scourging of Jesus.
304	** Even within "Herod's Song," which turns from camp happy to suddenly menacing in the final verse.
305	* MoralPragmatist: Judas has this attitude at the beginning of the musical. He says that he joined Jesus to follow the lessons of kindness and generosity. The way he sees it, however, these teachings have led people to see Jesus as a prophet and son of God, which is attracting unwanted attention and swelling his friend's head. Judas tries telling Jesus that he has to give an answer one way or the other rather than fan the flames of their neighbors' resentment and that while Mary Magdalene may be a fine lady, it looks bad if a "prophet" is getting a rather intense shoulder rub from her.
306	* MovieBonusSong: An unusual example. Not only are there ''two'' ("Could We Start Again, Please," added for the Broadway production, and "Then We Are Decided," a short VillainSong between Annas and Caiaphas added for the movie to further hash out their motivations), but the latter isn't really an AwardBaitSong.
307	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Judas does not take this whole betrayal thing well and ends up killing himself out of remorse.
308	* MythologyGag: Simon indirectly quotes [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Prayer#Doxology the doxology]] from the Protestant version of the Lord's Prayer.
309	-->'''Simon:''' You'll get the power and the glory! Forever and ever and ever!
310	* TheNeedsOfTheMany: The priest's stated rationale for their actions:
311	-->'''Caiaphas:''' For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die!
312	* NeverMyFault:
313	** Pilate washing his hands, as he does in the Bible, symbolizes that he feels himself innocent in Jesus' death. Whereas in the Bible it's because he had the crowd make the final choice, here it's because Jesus failed to defend himself.
314	** This is how Judas' MyGodWhatHaveIDone turns into a RageAgainstTheHeavens. Not only does he blame God for making him betray Jesus, but also for his own suicide.
315	--->'''Judas:''' You have murdered me!
316	* NewAgeRetroHippie: Extremely pronounced. This and ''Theatre/{{Hair}}'' are probably the most New Age Retro Hippie plays around (as well as the [[TropeMaker Trope Makers]] for "rock musicals"). Not really "retro" when the film / play / soundtrack was first produced, but Jesus' followers are portrayed as counter-cultural hippies and Judas and the Zealots are portrayed as members of the New Left. This is especially pronounced in the film.
317	* NinjaProp: In the 2012 arena version, the stage is framed by visible scaffolding and the lighting bars overhead because there's no proscenium to hide them. When Jesus is crucified, one of the lighting bars is lowered to become the crosspiece of his crucifix.
318	* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: Herod in the 2000 version is Florenz Ziegfeld.
319	* NoIndoorVoice: Judas (in the style of Carl Anderson, at least; Zubin Varla from the 1996 London cast recording is also prone to this).
320	* OhCrap:
321	** Pontius Pilate in the 1973 film when the angry mob appears at the start of Jesus's trial.
322	** Pilate also gets this expression in the 2000 version when he realizes that Jesus is the same man from his dream - the very man who is destined to be killed. Ditto in the 2018 version: while interrogating Jesus, Pilate hears the fragment of melody from "Pilate's Dream," and takes on the OhCrap look as he dramatically ''backpedals''.
323	** In the 2000 version, Jesus, Mary, and Judas all make this face at each other after the crowd in "Hosanna" sings its final line.
324	** Also in the 2000 version, when Jesus is tied down on the cross and turns his head to see one soldier hand the other a nail.
325	* OminousMultipleScreens:
326	** In the 2000 version, the High Priests have these in their boardroom, switching on to show Jesus and his adoring crowds as the "Hosanna" chorus starts.
327	** Similarly in the 2012 version, where they also return to show Judas arriving to betray Jesus.
328	* OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness: The High Priests and Pharisees.
329	* OmniscientMoralityLicense: ''Defied'' in "Gethsemane." Jesus [[RageAgainstTheHeavens calls out God]], pointing out how unfair it is that he's being asked to die with no explanation and no reassurance that it will even do anything. ''We'' know it will, but Jesus doesn't. [[HeroicSacrifice And he does it anyway.]]
330	-->'''Jesus:''' God, Thy will is hard, but You hold every card. [...] Take me now, before I change my mind.
331	* OneSteveLimit: Simon Peter is just called Peter to distinguish him from Simon. The other Apostle named Judas (aka Jude) is never named. Mary Magdalene is the only Mary included out of at least three; and when Jesus's mother Mary is mentioned at one point, it is only as "my mother", not by name.
332	* OnlySaneMan: Judas, at least from his perspective, likewise Caiaphas from his, and Pilate from his.
333	* OriginalCastPrecedent:
334	** The high MetalScream in almost every version of "Gethsemane"? Not written in the sheet music. Just the basic melody and an ad-libbed note by [[Music/DeepPurple Ian Gillan]].
335	** This trope is averted in a general sense, however. ''Superstar'' is a show that has changed drastically over the years, as different productions will vary ''wildly'' in terms of staging, costumes, lyrics, song order, casting, character interpretation, and even most of the tropes themselves. You will note that most of the trope entries on this page specify which production they apply to, because they ''have to'', making it extremely difficult to form a cohesive list of the tropes associated with the play in general.
336	* PartingWordsRegret: Defied in some versions. Jesus may decide that, rather than let Judas think he hated his friend, to give him a hug before he's arrested. (You can see this in the 2012 and 2018 stagings.) It shows no hard feelings, and that he forgives Judas for betraying him. It doesn't make Judas feel better, for obvious reasons. If Jesus doesn't do this, then it's played straight that the last words he said to Judas were an admonishment of using a kiss to identify him.
337	* PassionPlay: The story tells the last week of Jesus' life from his and Judas's perspectives.
338	* PetTheDog: The 2012 stage version has Annas lighting Judas's CigaretteOfAnxiety. Caiaphas then steals it when making a point to Judas.
339	* PrecisionFStrike: Judas's outburst of "Christ, you deserve it!" during "The Last Supper" can be seen as one.
340	* ProphecyTwist: The musical is filled with references to Jesus' divinity, resurrection, and redemption of humankind.
341	* PsychopathicManchild: Varying with the versions.
342	** In the 1973 version, Herod alone is this while Jesus is not — although some of his lyrics point in this direction, he is still portrayed as a dignified and compassionate person on the whole.
343	** Judas in the 2000 version is also played this way, with his numerous lashings out at Jesus, Mary and the other apostles coming across just as much as desperate cries for attention as an attempt to make any kind of genuine point. He's generally a lot more directly and physically confrontational than other interpretations of the character. Just for one example, he deliberately trips and pushes Mary down some stairs during 'Strange Thing, Mystifying', gives a small PsychoticSmirk when Jesus then tells him off and then appears to silently dare Peter to punch him for it.
344	** Herod is the one character who is pretty consistently depicted as this, especially when it gets to the more overtly menacing final verse of his song.
345	* PsychoticSmirk:
346	** In the 2000 film, one of the priests does this multiple times during ''This Jesus Must Die''.
347	** In the 2012 arena concert version, Annas gives a brief one to Caiaphas during 'Blood Money'.
348	* PunctuatedForEmphasis:
349	** FOOLS! YOU! HAVE NO PERCEPTION!
350	** WHAT! DO! YOU MEAN. BY. THAT? THAT WAS NOT. AN ANSWER!
351	*** The 2012 arena tour has some fun with this section by portraying Pilate as a rich judge interrupted during his morning workout at home. Every break between those words is filled by him doing a push-up.
352	** Alice Cooper in the 2018 performance of "Herod's Song": "GET...OUT...OF MY...LIFE!"
353	* PuttingOnTheReich:
354	** In the 2000 version, Pilate's uniform is purposefully reminiscent of the Gestapo.
355	** In the Moscow stage production, the High Priests first appear in riot gear and then perform a song to the tune of "This Jesus Must Die" dressed in black suits with red Soviet armbands.
356	* RageAgainstTheHeavens: Done literally by Jesus in "Gethsemane," and Judas in "Judas' Death."
357	* RepeatCut: The 1973 film includes several repeated zooms to Judas sitting on a hilltop, before he launches into the first song of the movie.
358	* TheResenter: Judas as he ends up hanging himself out of his guilt of betraying Jesus.
359	* RewatchBonus: Jesus seems to be more flawed and lashing out at his followers, pushing Judas to betray him. Some stagings and the 2000 movie up this by having Jesus turn away from Judas and refuse to listen to him singing "Heaven on Their Minds" about how their movement is attracting the wrong sort of attention. Glenn Carter's Jesus keeps walking away from Jerome Pradon's Judas, and not wanting to make eye contact. When you look at Jesus's expressions on a rewatch, such as with Glenn Carter, Ben Forster, or John Legend's interpretations, you realize he has known about his death for several days and it is coming. Thus, he can't acknowledge what Judas is saying, though he badly wants to do it. John Legend's Jesus also does listen to him for a few verses and has an apologetic look.
360	** The 1973 film opens with a bus carrying the cast traveling in the desert to the filming location. Pay attention when the cast gets off the bus; Ted Neeley as Jesus is not among them, he appears out of nowhere in the middle of the crowd. Likewise at the end of the film; the cast gets back on the bus to leave, but Neeley isn't with them.
361	* RollYourRs: The 2000 film does a line like this in ''This Jesus Must Die'':
362	-->"A rrrebel rrrousing mission which I think we must abort."
363	* RoyalBrat: Herod as he gets more and more impatient as Jesus refuses to perform a miracle. Eventually he gives up and demands to Jesus that he gets out of his sight.
364	* RuleOfCool: The 2018 stage adaptation runs on this. For example, during the performance of Pilate's Dream, Pilate is surrounded by government officials who move in slow motion, then speed up, Creator/ZackSnyder-style. On ''stage.''
365	* SceneryPorn: Norman Jewison ''really'' took advantage of filming in Israel for the first film.
366	* ScrewDestiny: Both Judas and Jesus are sorely tempted to try this, but both succumb to YouCantFightFate for different reasons.
367	-->'''Judas:''' You want me to do it! What if I just stayed here and ruined your ambition? Christ, you deserve it!
368	* SettingUpdate:
369	** The 2012 arena tour had a Occupy Wall Street feel, complete with the hashtag "[=#FollowThe12=]" and the Sanhedrin and Romans wearing business suits and British court wigs.
370	** In the 2018 NBC musical, the performance is depicted as goths and punks in a harsh urban setting.
371	* ShamingTheMob: Pilate ''lambasts'' the mob screaming for Jesus to be crucified, since he sees Jesus as a harmless crazy man being used as a scapegoat by the mob for the revolutionary rumblings his presence set off. Nearly half of Pilate's final song is calling the crowd hypocrites for praising Caesar, reminding them how much they hate Rome, and pointing out the DisproportionateRetribution they're forcing him to deal to Jesus.
372	-->'''Pilate:''' I see no reason! I find no evil!\
373	This man is ''harmless'', so why does he upset you?!\
374	He's just misguided! Thinks he's important!\
375	[[YouBastard But to keep you]] ''[[YouBastard vultures]]'' [[YouBastard happy I will flog him!]]
376	* ShapedLikeItself: "You liar! You Judas!"
377	* ShoutOut:
378	** In the 1973 film, when Jesus and the twelve apostles sit down for "The Last Supper," they all freeze for a moment in the exact poses depicted in Creator/LeonardoDaVinci's [[Art/TheLastSupper famous painting of the same name]]. Movie fans have used this scene to identify exactly which actors are playing which apostles, since not all of them are identified by name in the film.
379	** The Moscow stage production directly quotes Jesus' and Pilate's dialogue from ''Literature/TheMasterAndMargarita''.
380	** The 2018 NBC production subtly homages ''Theatre/NatashaPierreAndTheGreatCometOf1812'' during "Hosanna", with Jesus and his followers entering through the audience and interacting with them, as well as the string flourishes being played by female ensemblists (and Great Comet alumni) running with the group.
381	** The original album musically references Krzstof Penderecki's avant-garde Passion work "Utrenja: Ewangelia" during "Trial By Pilate/The 39 Lashes" — note the clattering percussion and the robotic, atonal way the crowd shouts "we have no king but Caesar" and "remember Caesar/you have a duty", etc. Later productions lost some of this effect by giving the chorus more of a melody to shout to.
382	* ShownTheirWork:
383	** In the 2000 film, the Disciples make a textbook example of how small rebel groups behave, reminiscent of the French Revolution (during the title sequence, the graffiti includes both French revolutionary slogans and American 1960s slogans), of rebellions against the Nazis in 1930s Germany and later rebellions against communist takeovers throughout the world, and of the United States at various eras, including the Founding Fathers. The adrenaline-fueled excitement, intense male and female camraderie, search for empowerment through violent defiance, sexually aggressive clothing: all in accordance with sociological and historical research.
384	** We now know that the Founding Fathers, after signing their names to the Declaration of Independence, then spent the night wenching and drinking themselves into unconsciousness: they knew that if their effort at independence failed, they had just signed their death warrants and possibly the death warrants of their families, and the adrenaline had to go somewhere. Later, in an archetypally American move, they demanded reimbursement for the money they'd spent wenching and drinking.
385	* SilentCredits:
386	** The 1973 film has completely silent credits.
387	** For Ted Neeley's 2015 Q&A tour with the film, they played a 1997 performance of "Superstar" over the credits (the last time he and Carl were together before his death).
388	* SissyVillain: Some portrayals of Herod.
389	* SittingSexyOnAPiano: In the 2000 film, Herod does it in Herod's Song.
390	* SkywardScream: Several, usually combined with EpicRocking and MilkingTheGiantCow.
391	* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Depending on the production, the entire message of the play can be changed. The songs and script themselves are just general enough to paint Jesus ''or'' Judas as the protagonist to root for. Jesus can vary between being [[JesusWasWayCool well, a pretty nice guy]], to a snob who's all talk, or whether or not he is even actually the son of God. To this day people still aren't sure whether the play was intended to give a family friendly Christian story, or whether it was made to cast a more jaded light on it.
392	* SlutShaming: Judas doesn't believe that Mary Magdalene (or "women of her kind") is an appropriate companion for Jesus.
393	* SongOfPrayer: "Gethsemane" has Jesus, in the calm before the storm, addressing God as he reflects on how far he's come and what he knows is still ahead, and asking for a sign to reassure him he's on the right track.
394	* SoundOnlyDeath: The 2018 concert doesn't actually show Judas hanging himself. He simply climbs up the scaffolding, wrapping clothes around his neck as a noose, and disappears offstage. We then see the ladder he was standing on fall over, but we don't actually see Judas himself.
395	* SopranoAndGravel: Frequently used with Annas and Caiaphas, especially as performed by Kurt Yaghjian and Bob Bingham in the 1973 film.
396	* SoundtrackDissonance: The last two minutes or so of “Superstar” can be summarized as groovy music playing while very un-groovy things (Jesus being given the crown of thorns, forced to drag the cross, and abused by jeering crowds, all while still raw and bleeding from being flogged) happen.
397	* SpeakingUpForAnother: Judas is criticizing Mary Magdalene, saying that while she amuses, and he doesn't object to her [[HookerWithAHeartOfGold profession]], she doesn't fit in with Christ's teachings. [[note]]Many scholars believe that Mary Magdalene's reputation as prostitute are actually her being confused with another woman, oft referred to as "The Penitent Woman", though there is some debate as to whether the confusion was deliberate and malicious or not, but the common belief is what is presented in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical.[[/note]] Jesus Himself is having none of it.
398	--> '''Jesus:''' Who are you to criticize her? Who are you to despise her? Leave her, leave her, let her be now. Leave her, leave her, she's with me now. If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones. If your slate is not, then leave her alone!
399	* StealthPun: Some particularly clever ones.
400	** Not least the entirety of "I Don't Know How to Love Him" which, if listened to properly, is a song consisting almost entirely of innuendo.
401	** '''Caiaphas:''' ''(comforting Judas)'' "What you have done will be the saving of Israel! [[ExactWords You'll be remembered forever for this!]]"
402	** '''Judas:''' ''(considering ''not'' betraying Jesus)'' "Christ, you deserve it!"
403	* SuicideByCop: Arguably, Jesus (in this story only). He knows he has to die to achieve what God wants, Pilate ''begs'' him to save himself, but he forces Pilate's hand as much as the mob does.
404	* SummonBackupDancers:
405	** Simon Zealotes does this. In the film, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPq_914s2Jw they appear out of thin air]] as the music kicks in.
406	** Jesus also has this ability.
407	** As does Judas for 'Superstar'.
408	* SurrealHorror:
409	** The crucifixion sounds this way on the original studio album, with dissonant piano jangling, electronic warp noises, and the sounds of the laughing crowd twisted into something demonic that sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack to ''Film/TheShining''. Downplayed in many later versions, where the actors playing the crowd merely laugh — cruelly, but not in a terrifying manner.
410	** In the 2000 version, this is ramped up again, as not only is the sound of the nails being hammered into the cross amped up over the sound of Jesus and Judas screaming, but the laughter of the guards following Jesus' line "God forgive them, they don't know what they're doing" is slowed down, lowered in pitch, and mixed with a held high note sung by the chorus that results in a sound that, while not quite as demonic as the studio album, is still pretty damn frightening to listen to.
411	* TakeThisJobAndShoveIt: Pilate spends the entire show (and many of the lyrics of the First and Second Trials) ''hating'' his job. One can hardly blame him when he finally throws in the towel.
412	-->'''Pilate:''' I wash my hands of your demolition! ''Die if you want to'', you innocent puppet!
413	* ATasteOfTheLash: The 39 lashes... ''in song''. Although, in the 2000 version, Pilate gradually loses his composure as he counts out each lashing; by the mid-twenties, he's visibly flinching.
414	* TearsOfFear:
415	** In the 2000 version, Pilate is so upset by his dream that he starts crying by the end of the song. Compare this to the 1973 version, where Pilate is merely confused and only slightly disturbed.
416	** There's a ''lot'' of this in the 2000 version. Judas starts crying just before he takes the money in 'Damned For All Time/Blood Money' with the realisation of what he's about to do and what it will mean, Jesus is crying just before the lashing and even seems to be entering panic attack mode when he sees the guards handing out the hammer and nails towards the end of 'Superstar', most of the apostles are crying at various points during the 'Arrest' sequence…
417	* TheyJustDontGetIt: The entire point of the song "Poor Jerusalem".
418	* TrashTheSet: Jesus in the stage and theatrical productions as he goes through the Temple to get rid of the marketers and money-changers. Ted Neeley in the 1973 film was so thorough in doing this with all the props that the producers could only film one take.
419	* TraumaCongaLine: Basically everything after "Hosanna" is one long version of this for Jesus, and unlike in the Gospels, there's no ([[AmbiguousEnding on-screen]]) Resurrection to soften the blow.
420	* UncommonTime: "Everything's Alright" (5/4, with verses ending in 3/4) and "The Temple" (7/4).
421	* UnreadableDisclaimer: Spoofed in the 2012 arena version. Herod is depicted as a TV talk show host who runs a phone text poll of his viewers to find out whether they think Jesus is "Lord or Fraud". The poll is displayed on a screen at the back of the stage, complete with the standard small print for UK text polls (covering who pays the cost of the text message, etc.) Shortly afterward, the poll results are displayed, and this time the small print says:
422	-->These results are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect any real votes. The outcome is predetermined by the character of King Herod, who clearly is going to find Jesus guilty of being a fraud, otherwise it would be a very short Act 2.
423	* VillainHasAPoint:
424	** Over time, the biblical Judas has become an archetype of a traitor who betrays their closest friends for personal gain. Judas in ''JCS'', however, is [[AntiVillain a much more complex character]] and an example of this. He nails the point in "Heaven On Their Minds": the whole Jesus thing started nicely, but now it's getting out of hand, as the followers are speaking more and more openly of a violent rebellion against the occupying Romans. Judas sees that Jesus can very easily lose control over people following him, and while the Romans can tolerate some religious sect wandering around, any attempt at the revolution will lead to a brutal suppression and nasty reprisal for all of Judea. Judas has basically a MortonsFork thing: betray his friend and have his name blackened forever, or watch the bloody slaughter of his fellow countrymen. Basically, he chooses TheNeedsOfTheMany.
425	** Judas quickly becomes aware that Jesus not only has foreknowledge of his betrayal, but is ''counting'' on it. This contributes greatly to his breakdown after Jesus' death; his cries that he's been ill-used by God, who created a plan that required a traitor and cast Judas in the role against his will, ring unsettlingly true.
426	** Caiaphas is presented less sympathetically than Judas, but his rationale is basically the same: he's also afraid that Jesus will divide the Jewish people and eventually spark a doomed uprising against the Romans. Especially clear in "Then We Are Decided":
427	--->'''Annas:''' He's just another scripture-thumping hack from Galilee.\
428	'''Caiaphas:''' The difference is they call him ''"king".'' The difference frightens me!
429	** During the "Trial Before Pilate" sequence, Pilate actually argues in Jesus' defense against the crowd, essentially pronouncing him innocent, and gives him multiple chances to avoid a death sentence before finally relenting when Jesus refuses to budge.
430	* VillainousBreakdown:
431	** "Judas's Death" has Judas at his absolute limit as [[spoiler:he remembers how close he was to Jesus and realizes he will be entirely to blame for his murder]]. He has a slightly more minor, but still notable, one in "Damned For All Time". Annas has to get him off the ground for the start of "Blood Money".
432	** In some productions, the entire musical is basically played as an extended one for Judas, with him getting increasingly stressed and broken every single time he appears until his death.
433	** Pilate gets one during 'The Trial/39 Lashes' as he gradually realises that not only is he going to have to condemn a man who has done nothing to warrant it, but that history is going to hate him for it for the rest of time. His last lines, ordering Jesus to his death, are often played not with any malice, but as a man who has been pushed to his limits by the pressure from all sides and simply can't deal with any of it anymore.
434	* VillainousLament:
435	** Pretty much all of Judas' songs count, but "Judas' Death" in particular sees him realizing that he will, in fact, be hated forever for his actions, just as he feared.
436	** Similarly, "Pilate's Dream" has Pilate correctly predicting his role in the Crucifixion and how he will also be blamed, several songs before he even meets Jesus. Later, "Trial Before Pilate" sees him jump between this and VillainSong mode as he goes from putting Jesus on trial to defending him to torturing him to trying to save his life before finally having a full-on VillainousBreakdown when all his efforts are for nothing. One verse in particular has Pilate begging Jesus to "be careful" and avert the death sentence.
437	* VillainSong:
438	** "This Jesus Must Die," "King Herod's Song", and "Then We Are Decided" from the movie.
439	** Virtually every song sung by Judas (with a few exceptions) are Villain Songs, even if he is an Anti-Villain.
440	** "Pilate and Christ" is one, showing Pilate's intimidating side, but this is subverted in "Trial Before Pilate", when Pilate actually tries to save Jesus multiple times before finally giving up in a fit of rage.
441	* WellIntentionedExtremist:
442	** Jesus ''and'' Judas.
443	** Arguably, Caiaphas, who thinks that "Jesus is cool", but feels that he has to have him killed to prevent him from stirring up revolution and provoking retaliation from Rome. When Judas is having his BSOD, Caiaphas comforts him, saying that his actions have saved Israel.
444	* WhatIsEvil: As in the Bible, Pilate's response to Jesus bringing up the concept of truth is, "What is truth?" He goes on to suggest that truth is subjective. (How confident he is in making that suggestion depends on the production.)
445	* YouBastard: Pilate calls the crowd on this as he orders Jesus flogged.
446	* YouDidTheRightThing: Caiphas and Annas tell Judas this about betraying Jesus. His actions are morally wrong, but they ended up saving the oppressed Jewish people by preventing a futile rebellion. It depends on the staging if they are sincere or not; in the 1973 film, they pat his shoulder in reassurance as he suffers his breakdown.
447	* YouCantFightFate: One of the main themes. Jesus, Judas, Pilate, and even Peter struggle to escape the roles that have been written for them, or at least to pass/pin the blame for their part on someone else, but to no avail. God ''will'' have His martyr, His betrayer(s), and His bloody, horrible ending.

Context Music / JesusChristSuperstar