So here I am, sitting on my couch, watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy on TNT (there’s a great way to lose a weekend, by the way), when I see an ad for a production of Jesus Christ, Superstar coming to the Warner Theater March 17-22. Having been a fan of this particular show since I was a kid (and it’s a popular choice for musical companies during Lent), I stopped to take notice… and saw that Ted Neeley is playing Jesus.
Okay, what the hell. Ted Neeley is the best-known Superstar Jesus. He played Jesus in the movie in his 20s, played him on Broadway, played him in the touring production for the movie’s 20th anniversary in the 90s, but people: Ted Neeley is 65 years old. For the record, that’s nearly twice as old as Jesus of Nazareth ever lived to be. I caught a performance on that tour in the 90s- he was sounding a little rough then, and that was 15 years ago. And look, no disrespect to Neeley- the lead roles in Superstar are vocally challenging even to performers in their prime. There’s a lot of high-pitched shrieking to be done, and it’s a strain.
Is there really no one else who can believably play this role that we’ve got to trot out a guy who is nearly as old as my grandfather to play someone about my age? Are audiences really so unwilling to see other people playing Jesus?
Tiffany Baxendell Bridge is an Internet enthusiast and an incurable smartass. When not heckling the neighborhood political scene on Twitter, she can be found goofing off with her ukulele, Bollywood dancing, or obsessing about cult TV. She is That Woman With the Baby In the Bar.
Tiffany lives in Brookland with her husband Tom, son Charlie, and two high-maintenance cats. Read why Tiffany loves DC.
My response— UMMMM NOOOOO there is no one else who can play this role like TED!
Aren’t you glad you asked! :)
ask me again when your 65… if you could pull off what he does at 65 at your age ( what are you 20?) then maybe I could listen to your lack of consideration. But lets face it there aren’t many people who can hit those notes even at a young age, let alone at 65.. Not to mention he brings more then vocal talent to the role. Give the man the respect he’s due.
No, I would not watch the play if Ted was not playing Jesus. It’s just not the same without him.
Neeley ought to retire and let someone else have a crack at the role.
Or, they could do the right thing, and retire the musical in its entirety.
Well, I hope you’d all be as insistent that age doesn’t matter if they were to cast Tyne Daly as Mary Magdalene. Oh, you wouldn’t? That’s a hell of an age-related double-standard you’ve got there.
Give up, Tiff. There’s a contingent of people determined never to change or be exposed to new music, plays, books, or talent.
They’ll drop their $200 to go to the megaplex of suck so they can see The Who sing, without irony, how they hope they die before they get old… even while a ton of talented musicians play music they haven’t heard a million times before just down the road from them for 10% of the cost.
And they’ll go see someone play a role they’re 40 years too old for, justifying supplanting someone age-appropriate with the fact that the performer still has the talent to pull off the role.
Then next week they’ll bitch about how idiotic it is that Hollywood casts women in their late 30s to play the mothers of actors in their early 20s. And they’ll do it as free of irony as Mr Daltry.
Don, Tiffany, et al.
It does not matter the age, it only matters the conviction of which you play the role. Regardless of gender, age, etc., play it from your heart and the masses will respond. Faithfully they will respond through the decades. If someone younger wishes to play the role with that much conviction, we will embrace them as well. Please see the 1973 movie and talk with the man before commenting any more. Ted is very approachable.
Im not saying no one else should play the role.. Im saying dont knock the man because he CAN!!!!
Tyne Daly is a wonderful actress, and if she can sing, why not? I’d go see her in the role, you betcha.
And FYI: Ted can sing the screaming high notes better than anyone. Yes, he’s older than the real Jesus in earth years, but the real Jesus is eternal, so does it really matter?
I can honestly say that I would not enjoy seeing Tyne Daly play Mary M., but I would be absolutely thrilled to see Yvonne Elliman in that part again. It’s got nothing to do with age, or the fact that he is a man. That is so ridiculous.
It’s not at all ridiculous when you consider that, aside from a few superstars who aren’t afraid to invest in plastic surgery, female actress’ phones generally stop ringing once they’ve passed 40. Meanwhile, Emma Thompson is young enough to be Dustin Hoffman’s daughter, but he gets cast as her love interest, and the examples can go on and on. Sean Connery can be voted “Sexiest Man Alive” at 59, but at 42, Nicole Kidman has to ruin her face with a toxic substance used as a bioweapon to keep getting roles.
It has everything to do with being a man- men are allowed to get old in show business and still play leading roles. Women are not.
Just because a person is of a certain age doesnt mean they cant effectively play a role. I would go see a younger person playing an older role and visa versa if they could effectively play the role. But lets be honest here we were talking about Ted, and yes there have been others to tackle the role of Jesus in this rock opera and guess what….they all flopped… hey.. go figure a 65 year old could do it better… lets not worry about age and just be accepting of those who can take on a challenge and make it work.
Helen Mirren? Oscar winner last year? Susan Lucci? Jane Seymour? Tina Turner? Dinah Ross?
Helen Mirren won the Oscar for playing someone 10 years older than herself in the movie’s time period, so you’re proving my point. Susan Lucci is now appearing on “Dancing With the Has-Beens,” and Diana Ross is a punchline so sad that I’m surprised you’d even mention her in the same sentence as Tina Turner, who, by the way, now has to sing with young little things like Beyonce in order for it to be called a “comeback.”
You, just proved my point.
By pointing out how terrible your examples are? Dandy.
I have seen this “new” production with Ted Neeley. Sad to say, he moves like he needs a walker and has no spunk at all, even during the temple scene. His voice cracks, he speaks half the lines that should be sung. He fumbles around on the stage holding onto his co-stars. The set is so bare bones that it is kinda sad. To see a production that was once wonderful diminished to this is sorry. They say the simple set is to highlight the message, well anyone who comes to this play already knows the message, they want to be entertained, not put to sleep, and the climax of the play, the crucifixion? Ted Neeley drags that out so long that you want to get up and leave. The best part of this play is the chorus, bright scarfs and very talented. Yep, Ted Neeley, be it a nice guy or not, should move to something more age related, maybe Moses????
Final comment for the evening. I am a mother of four kids…16, 13, 7, and 5. I retired two years ago from 25 years of service from the Navy and Marine Corps, who was also deployed to Iraq in 2003. Our group was the forward deployed unit into the start of the war and shot at repeatedly. So, when I bring up examples of strong women, I speak from experience. Tina Turner and Diana Ross are a personal favorite of mine, who are the examples of strong women, who are not punch lines…but one I know of, were punching bags by the male in their life. But, they perserved. My “dandy” examples are not without merit. I still stand on the front lines in a different career in D.C., with a different agency and defending the homeland. So, twenty some year old, if you are looking for strong women examples, project yourself twenty years from now and ask, if you will be one of those examples.
The comment you made re: Ted Neeley portraying Jesus in JCSS is extremely ill-informed. I recently saw the show and Ted and cast were magnificent so the “geriatric” label is hurtful to the crowds who turn up to watch the show. Ted portrays his character with dignity, and with a youthfulness people half his age would envy. On top of the wonderful voice he still has, he is an unquestionably warm, approachable person. Maybe instead of sitting on your couch judging him, you should put a little more effort into your homework and contact him for an interview….yes he is older than Jesus but so what? I HAVE seen JCSS all over the world with different characters and actors and no-one had EVER come near to the conviction and emotional intensity that Ted Neeley brings to his portrayal. Try for one day to let only positive things come from your pen, and not venom. It is not clever, nor funny, but IS hurtful to many people. Is that how you see yourself? If so, then it is you that I pity.
Shawn, while I appreciate your service to our nation in its defense, it has no bearing on the conversation at hand, and only serves to shelter you from legitimate criticism.
Tom…no sheltering needed here. Relevance to conversation…please read the string of conversations above. Age, Strong Women, Ted Neeley, appreciation of those who have the conviction to take on the role and do well. Bottom line, as I mentioned above, go see the show, spend a bit of time talking with Ted after the show, look him in the eye, and then tell him of any criticisms you have of him and the show. If you do that, then you have bearing here.
I think I’ll take Claire’s word for it that Ted might need a walker, Shawn.
Shawn, I have met Ted Neeley after a show and I found him quite condescending and having a bit of a Jesus complex. He was nice enough but it all seemed programed and not very sincere. Sorry but to me he comes off as a phoney.
No, I did in no way say that Ted needed a walker….I do not make facious comments like that…..so please do not incorrectly misquote me….I enjoyed the show and infact am going again in a few weeks so that should inform you how I feel about this production. so there!!!
Oop, sorry Claire, it was Sonja that said he needed a walker. My bad!
Dear Tiffany,
Ted doesn’t need defending. Go to the show and see for yourself.
The Who don’t need defending either. “Older” performers bring a history and a maturity to their performances. Someday you will understand that. Your flippancy will mellow down and you will be glad to see a legend. Maybe someday….
Allyson
I love how people keep making assumptions about our ages. Honestly, Shawn, your military service is irrelevant to the conversation, and the fact that some of the people you cite have been victims of domestic violence really just underscores the point I am making about women in showbiz- Tina Turner IS a legend. She’s amazing, and strong, and yet somehow she has to share the stage with Beyonce to get any time at the Grammys. That’s a disgrace. The question isn’t whether there are any legendary, strong women- of course there are- the question is whether they get any respect from an industry that’s a slave to youth. They don’t, generally.
As for Ted Neeley- no one is saying he’s not talented, but as it happens, I HAVE seen him perform this role, both as a young man and when significantly older, and I HAVE seen a number of other actors play the role, and the truth is… it’s just a level of vocal acrobatics that are starting to get away from him. Just like professional athletes eventually can’t do the same feats they used to do, the same thing happens to vocalists- after all, your voice is still a function of your body.
And what’s amusing to me is that none of you Neeley-partisans have mentioned that he only got the role to begin with, way back in his 20s, because the Jesus he was understudying for had to miss a show. So in essence, by continuing to sign on for this role that he’s been playing for longer than Jesus ever actually LIVED, he’s denying some other actor the same chance he himself got.
Let me get this straight. You people are coming to this girl’s weblog, essentially. It looks like this is mostly a place for someone to discuss and talk. Maybe I’m misunderstanding and this is honest-to-God reviews, but this post doesn’t sound like one. It sounds like someone mulling over something they saw, in a public place. Which is her right, amirite?
It’s pretty pathetic, in my opinion, that a bunch of people are now flaming the author of this entry because she posted her opinion. You don’t have to agree. You don’t have to even like what she says, but what gives you the right to sit and tell her how to feel?
I’ve seen JCS live. I saw it at the first leg of this new tour. You know what I think? I think that Ted Neeley is old. I’m not saying he’s not talented. I’m saying that watching a man who is almost twice the age that Jesus is supposed to be takes away from the experience. I also think all the people who say that they wouldn’t see the play without Ted in it should stop and re-evaluate: You’re not fans of the musical at all, you’re fans of him, and that’s groovy, but don’t presume to tell others how they’ll feel regarding the musical. I would see it again without Mr. Neeley, and do you know why? Because the musical is a good one, and he doesn’t make or break it – he’d the lead actor, but he’s not irreplaceable. Assuming he is, is just you kidding yourselves.
That being said, all else aside this girl brings a valid point: Ted Neeley no longer looks the part. Imagine if someone made a movie about Dr Martin Luther King Jr and cast a white man in the lead role. You’d be doing some head scratching, too. So stop insulting her and her intelligence for having an opinion and grow up. Not everyone has to agree.
Tiff…yawn.
Oh, Shawn, your witty discourse surely does put me in my place! *swoon*
Nevermind Tiff…just heard why you do these blogs.
Nevermind Tiffany…just heard why you do these blogs.
I would just like something positive to be said and would you please consider the number of people who keep going back to see him over and over again…the man brings a sense of compassion to his role that you might want to emulate with your pen……….and as I earlier mentioned, I have seen the show numerous times without Ted in the lead role and none have ever touched me the way he does in his performance.
He does not hog the role…he simply gets asked to do the show over and over again, he infact has other great works that are held up because of audience demand for him portraying Jesus.
I am glad that you seem to be able to blithely sit back and make such negative comments, maybe one day when you grow up you will find that the kind of hurt you throw around does nothing to make this planet better….as I earlier said try to write something positive just once and see how it works out. It might even become a habit, positivity breeds positivity.
Props Claire…keep the circle turning.
Wow! I bet you didn’t know what you were getting into by calling Ted ‘geriatric’ now did you Tiffany? I have to wonder if you have gotten this much feedback from any other posts? Lianne hit the nail on the head when she said “You’re not fans of the musical at all, you’re fans of him”. Ted has a LEGION of fans that will defend his right to play Jesus to their dying day. I know because I was one of them. I have seen JCS more times than I can count and a few times Ted was not playing Jesus. I will say those times the show did not thrill me. I was there to see Ted. Plain and simple. Well, also Carl Anderson who was a totally amazing, loving, and gifted man and singer. I think at this point it would be best for you all to ‘agree to disagree’. Tiffany, when a person comes into your life that you feel as strongly about as these people do Ted, then maybe you will understand. You might actually think back on this and smile and say ‘ah, so that’s what those people meant!’. Or not. Either way, it takes quite a lot, or is almost impossible, to sway the opinion of a ‘Ted Head’. Take it from someone who knows.
You don’t seem to be able to imagine the fan base that Mr. Neeley has. Nor what a wonderful job he does in teaching the message of the ONE he portrays. Good God I feel sorry for your youthfullness. Hopefully when you are older no one will make such harsh judgements on you, and be able to see what talents you possess.
Nancy Christensen
Nancy, I just hope that someone will tell me when I’m interfering with the careers of those who will come after me.
Or if I decide to play a role that I’m 30 years too old for.
You know Tom I wonder how you would feel if you were told that something you love to do and were good at was no longer an option and you had to quit just because a minor portion of a very major population decided that you were to old to do what you do best. And don’t try to tell me you would be fine with that.. no one would. My feelings are if you are capable of doing a job you should be allowed to do so. People worry about social security being over run and yet when people try to continue working they are told they are to old. Bravo to Mr. Neeley for continuing to be a contributing member of society and not adding to the burden of an already under budgeted and over worked social security system. And yes I realize he is not of that age yet but he is getting there. Keep in mind one day you will be his age and you will be told to step aside. And finally, I have yet to see even one show that hasn’t been sold out or nearly sold out for every performance. What does that say? Obviously that he is doing SOMETHING right.
I think it’s entirely possible that with Mr. Neeley’s significant talent he could find a role that was more age appropriate.
and he has and does.. but he was asked to do this role. He didnt beg for it, and in fact turned down another role in order to do it. And in case your interested there is another show called “Rasputin” that he will be following up this tour with. So come on give the man a break.. find someeone your own age to pick on. nuff said.
Hey Tina, if all the shows are sold out, then why is the tour ending early due to “economic issues” and all the Canada dates canceled? And I read that on Ted’s own website neeleyontheroad.com and believe it or not it was posted by GOD HIMSELF to Ted’s guestbook.
And Tiffany, if you think these people are delusional here, check out Ted’s guestbook, these people are more than delusional, they are down right brainwashed!
can you read? I said sold out or nearly sold out and the cancellation of the Canadian shows has nothing to do with ECONOMIC issues it was scheduling.. and that came from the horses mouth. They are trying to reschedule for Jan. so get your facts straight. And yes I agree some of the fans are a bit overzealous. But Brainwashed come on….you are welcome to your opinion of the show, everyone is, but to then put down others for having a different opinion is self indulgent and rude, not to mention hypocritical. The first blog on this was done by someone who hadn’t even seen this run of the show. At least you seem to have seen it. And like I said you are completely entitled to your opinion, but please don’t reprimand others for having theirs.
Tina, if you’re going to lecture other participants in this conversation about reprimanding others for having an opinion, then I’m going to have to ask YOU to stop reprimanding US for disagreeing with you, which you have been doing now since comment #2.
Tina, first check post #3438 on the guestbook, GOD HIMSELF says the tour is being cut short due to economic reasons(could it be that the show is overpriced at 50 to 100 $$$ a ticket?) Second..it’s not the show that you all are delusional about, the show was “ok” it’s the delusions that Ted Neeley can bless you and perform miracles. Your idea that he really IS Jesus is scary to say the least. And after I talked with him last year, I’d say he has the same delusions, even blessing someone right in the line I was standing in. He is an actor, not a priest and definately NOT the son of GOD! The show is not blasphemous, HE is on his offstage antics! I even read a while back that some man was bringing his sick child to a show for Ted to heal. Give me a break!! But the man represents himself, even off stage, as being divine. This is just wrong! Talk about giving people false hope. Anyway, you go and enjoy the show and bow down to your false God, I am not the one who will have to answer to the REAL God, later on down the road.
oh my God. When did I EVER say that I thought Ted was the son of God? Thank you for proving my point about making assumptions about other people. And just because you see something in print doesnt make it so.. I bet you believe in the Wolf boy in Transylvania too because it was in the Enquirer. Obviously there is no reasoning with you people. All I said was let the man be and if you dont like the show DONT go see it….
“And like I said you are completely entitled to your opinion, but please don’t reprimand others for having theirs.”
“if you could pull off what he does at 65 at your age ( what are you 20?) then maybe I could listen to your lack of consideration.”
Let’s keep the conversation civil, please.
you know what Tiff. you are right I shouldnt have spouted off like that and I apologize I was just a bit miffed that someone could make a comment like that without having seen the current production.
Well yes Tina, I assume that if it is on Ted’s website that it is true or the webmaster would have deleted or clarified it. I did not mean you personally thinking Ted is God, but those people on his site who post almost everyday, for sure believe he is, it’s sad, really.
As I said, the show was not too bad, there was some outstanding talent, the guy who played Peter was really good and the guy who played Simon.
The author of this article posted her opinion of the SHOW and you people turned it into an attack on Ted personally, so if you can voice your opinion than others can too.
You mean the Wolf boy in Transylvania is not true??? Bummer!
The wolf boy in Transylvania is TOTALLY true. We had lunch last week. He says hi.