Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 1, 2018
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 46 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 24 out of 46
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User Reviews

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  1. Polgara2018
    Apr 2, 2018
    10
    I was worried about this after the debacles that were Sound of Music Live and Christmas Story Live but boy was I wrong. This surpassed my love for the original 70s movie by a mile. Brilliant production design, costuming and casting made this enthralling. Legend's voice at times seemed not to be strong enough, and Alice Cooper seemed too exhausted to perform as Herod. Judas, Mary,I was worried about this after the debacles that were Sound of Music Live and Christmas Story Live but boy was I wrong. This surpassed my love for the original 70s movie by a mile. Brilliant production design, costuming and casting made this enthralling. Legend's voice at times seemed not to be strong enough, and Alice Cooper seemed too exhausted to perform as Herod. Judas, Mary, Pilate and the Pharisees were amazing. I never wanted Judas to leave the stage. Mesmerizing… Expand
  2. Lisa24
    Apr 3, 2018
    10
    I was expecting JCS to be good, but I was blown away. The music, the depth, the raw emotion - it was something incredible to experience. In some ways I feel like it was the renewal many of us needed during this dark point in Christianity. There are negative people who frown on anything other than their own limited view of the bible and they made up their minds before the show aired.I was expecting JCS to be good, but I was blown away. The music, the depth, the raw emotion - it was something incredible to experience. In some ways I feel like it was the renewal many of us needed during this dark point in Christianity. There are negative people who frown on anything other than their own limited view of the bible and they made up their minds before the show aired. Please ignore them and give it a chance. The actors had a wonderful energy. The cast that was chosen was spot-on. Very moving.… Expand
  3. FredinToronto
    Apr 6, 2018
    10
    The best live TV musical that has been broadcast so far. All of the headliners, supporting cast and chorus were brilliant. Stunning direction, stage design, sound and camera work. An EPIC production! I believe that if you didn't like this show then you probably don't like musical theatre.
  4. gehennaspawn
    Apr 16, 2018
    8
    An overly faithful rendition of the 1973 movie with surprisingly good production values for the live staging. I missed Carl Anderson as Judas, but found myself warming to Legend especially towards the end of the play.

    I would have liked more updates to the times we live in now, but I suppose they thought it was best to stick to the 70s lyrics and let the audience sing along.
  5. mickrussom
    Apr 2, 2018
    0
    Horrible mockery of both jesus christ superstar's previous renditions and of the story around jesus in general. the outfits looked like start trek crap and the audio was horrible and the talent was low and the cast looked like a buch of losers from a hot topic store.
  6. guinness08
    May 13, 2018
    10
    I have loved JCS since I was a kid. It is subversive, with Jesus as a conflicted hero half in love with the adulation of his followers and Judas as the level headed voice of reason, yet respectful of the holy week story - those who call it blasphemous take themselves too seriously. This ranks up there with the original album and the movie soundtrack as among the best performances ever. TheI have loved JCS since I was a kid. It is subversive, with Jesus as a conflicted hero half in love with the adulation of his followers and Judas as the level headed voice of reason, yet respectful of the holy week story - those who call it blasphemous take themselves too seriously. This ranks up there with the original album and the movie soundtrack as among the best performances ever. The stage set couldn't have been cooler and the leads, from Aaron Burr to Judas, School's Out Herod, Brave Mary were perfectly cast. i can't get over how strong the secondary cast is so strong from the Scandinavian Axl Rose as Simon to the heavyweight diversity casting for the high-priests. This is JCS as it's meant to be.… Expand
  7. tomjohnson
    Jun 23, 2018
    9
    I was around when this first came out in 1970 - it was beyond subversive. I had to hide the record in my home playing it only when the parents were away. Yet the incredible melodies and lyrics, and the completely fresh take on a Passion, was at heart remarkably reverent.

    As was NBC's live version. Beautifully staged, almost perfectly sung and still as compelling as ever. John Legend    I was around when this first came out in 1970 - it was beyond subversive. I had to hide the record in my home playing it only when the parents were away. Yet the incredible melodies and lyrics, and the completely fresh take on a Passion, was at heart remarkably reverent.

    As was NBC's live version. Beautifully staged, almost perfectly sung and still as compelling as ever. John Legend was at the same time fantastic and a little in over his head. He simply couldn't get the rock-opera screams and angst that originated the role, but everything else was perfection. The other parts of the role were brought out more than I had ever seen before, So, while I would have loved the frosting of getting the screams as well, it was still magnificent. Brandon Dixon was remarkable as was Judas as was Sara Bareilles as Mary M. Alice Cooper just was so-so. I needed something more comically and sinisterly evil, it just didn't work that well.

    The hidden standout that make this near perfection were the staging, the chorus and the band/orchestra. Ben Daniels was amazing, as were Jin-Ha and Norm Lewis.

    But the final staging is what drives this over the top. The original album left no doubt that the decision if there was a resurrection was entirely a personal one. It ended at John 19:41 - the description of Jesus' tomb, but before John chapter 20 - Mary's first encounter by the risen Jesus. Webber's Passion is a purely human one - with the doubt, fear and recriminations of Judas left bare for each of us to internalize and consider the true meaning of faith in our own salvation.

    The staging however made this a Passion proper. There is no doubt that Jesus was transformed and raised from the dead. I think this is the proper end for Webber's Passion - while leaving the doubts intact, it clearly allowed, and almost demanded, that belief and faith are accepting the unknown as factual.

    This was an excellent production and even more amazing that it was a live, one-time gambit. Well done to all, even Alice.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best TV Season of 2018
100
#100 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Apr 2, 2018
    90
    It was an overwhelming original, complete with inspired casting and staging choices.
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  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Apr 2, 2018
    80
    Despite the quibbles, which included some spotty sound mixing, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert was a pleasure throughout. The show both respected the original score while adding a present-day spin and a sense of controlled chaos that kept it all fresh.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Lorraine Ali
    Apr 2, 2018
    80
    The show was a collision of religion and theater and pop culture that could have been one holy mess. But by the grace of God, or maybe a great cast and lots and lots of expert staging, a great musical became a great TV production.
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