Jesus Christ Cadillac

We both have truths - are mine the same as yours? - Pilate to Jesus of Nazareth

When Erin called me Sunday night sounding sheepish, I knew what was up. He'd taken a stagehand gig that would mean he'd have to bow out for Tuesday churchbus practice. It happens frequently enough, anyway the churchbus stakes are low so it wasn't a problem. He did however have a silver lining, two tickets to the show he's running, Jesus Christ Superstar.

I practically turned him down that night. Seeing as how Tricia's dad and aunt are in town, I figured we'd be busy. But I left the door open a bit while also offering the ticket potential to two other disinterested parties.

But then I got to thinking, with relatives in town, Tricia and I have the perfect means for a getaway. And why not JCS? I had a hell of a time performing in the Houston Underground production and I haven't listened to the soundtrack since.

So I called Erin back the next day and as luck would have it the tickets were still available (can you believe it?). Then I started getting excited.

I put on the soundtrack Monday night. The "original" Broadway soundtrack featuring Ian Gillan of Deep Purple as Jesus. Even sang Clara to sleep with the pretty refrain Close your eyes, close your eyes and relax; think of nothing to night.

The Broadway soundtrack came out well before the production hit the stage. A clever commercial move and one of many reminders that this is a secular production. If it were a religious production the name of the lead on the playbill wouldn't overshadow (by two font points) the name of the character.

THE Jesus, the man who became the part, the part that made him famous, is a lanky Texan, Ted Neeley, now twice the age of Jesus at his death. He can still hit the high notes and shrieks pretty good (it is a rock opera after all).

The supporting cast on this current tour is strong and the band pretty damn alright too.

Judas is played by Corey Glover of Living Colour. He also gave a good performance in the role that is what makes this pop passion play work.

The part of Judas brought some controversy when JCS first hit the stage. His image is softened. He is given form and it is Judas who returns from the dead, not Jesus. He gets the first song and the last of the production.

But there really isn't too much controversy over JCS and nowadays many church groups perform the rock opera. It's accepted as a well done examination of the passion of Christ, even if a secular one. Besides, a man of faith cannot cower from the logic behind this role. It must be faced intelligently. Whether you are a believer or not.

Hell, Judas gets a lot of good press these days. I wouldn't be surprised at all if his name starts creeping back into the name bank. Wouldn't be a bad thing really.

Chicago
o r n e r . . .	The grand Cadillac Palace hosted JCS. The CP got its start in the late 1920's as the flagship theater on the vaudeville circuit and saw the likes of Jimmy Durante, Mae West, Jack Benny, Sophie Tucker and Bob Hope on its stage. It's a grand marbled, mirrored and gilded place. Modeled after the Versailles but aimed at the people in the great Socialist hope city of this nation. One of many kingly old theaters still active here. The Cadillac Palace is set right in the heart of the theater district not far from the Oriental, the Chicago, the Roosevelt Auditorium, and the Goodman, all major theater spaces.
	Before the performance, Tricia and I ate buns at Wow Bao, one of the kings of cheap eat spots in the Chicago Loop. They make their own ginger ale. Deeeeeelish.