The rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice, is vibrantly dance-rich. However, the story is fairly simple. JC hears the calling of a higher purpose in life; instead of seeking importance by fitting an outer world performance, he turns inward, seeking an inner metaverse.
The overture opens with woodsy creatures easing from the shadows, then erupting into power-skipping, rushing forward, sucked backward, twirling into a confused and anxious loss. A bold, angry ceremony is silenced by greatness, followed by fog and eerie voices retreating into the forest.
JC’s good buddy, Judas, is concerned that JC is going too far into the strange notion of an inner metaverse. He pleads with JC to resume being a solid, decent man seeking power and leadership, finding importance in performance. But JC is determined that the true way is inward. At first, his many followers dance and rejoice at the coming of actual release, but a low grumbling is heard when he encourages Mary’s embrace. Finally, Judas begs him to stick with his brethren, and JC turns his anguish inside out, foreseeing betrayal.
The old guys with white hair and paunches pace with hands clasped behind their backs. They argue whether JC is a nobody or a threat. They worry the masses will come to see fitting into typical norms as essentially a scam designed by those few who will benefit. They conclude he must die and approach Judas to reveal JCs whereabouts, reassuring the reluctant fellow they mean…
