Jesus Christ Superstar
Act 1
Jesus arrives in Jerusalem with his followers and is welcomed by large crowds who see him as a hero. However, not everyone is comfortable with his growing popularity.
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Judas, one of Jesus’ closest friends, begins to worry that things are getting out of control. He fears the Roman authorities will see Jesus as a threat and punish everyone. He also feels frustrated that Jesus isn’t listening to him.
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Meanwhile, the religious leaders believe Jesus is dangerous and decide he must be stopped.
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Jesus becomes overwhelmed by the attention and pressure. At the Last Supper, he tells his disciples that one of them will betray him and that Peter will soon deny knowing him. Judas leaves and agrees to hand Jesus over to the authorities.
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Act One ends with the sense that events are now moving quickly toward something serious and unavoidable.
Act 2
After the Last Supper, Jesus goes to pray alone in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is frightened and unsure, but ultimately accepts that he must go through with what lies ahead.
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Judas leads the soldiers to Jesus, who is arrested. The disciples scatter, and Peter denies knowing Jesus three times.
Judas quickly regrets his decision. Overcome with guilt, he returns the money he was paid but cannot undo what has happened.
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Jesus is put on trial. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, does not believe Jesus has done anything deserving death, but the crowd demands punishment. Under pressure, Pilate sentences him to be crucified.
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The musical ends with Jesus’ crucifixion. The resurrection is not shown, leaving the audience to reflect on the events and the choices made by each character.
Song List
ACT 1
Overture
Heaven on Their Minds
What’s the Buzz / Strange Thing Mystifying
Everything’s Alright
This Jesus Must Die
Hosanna
Simon Zealotes / Poor Jerusalem
Pilate’s Dream
The Temple
Everything’s Alright (Reprise)
I Don’t Know How to Love Him
Damned for All Time / Blood Money
ACT 2
The Last Supper
Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)
The Arrest
Peter’s Denial
Pilate and Christ
King Herod’s Song (Try It and See)
Could We Start Again, Please?
Judas’ Death
Trial Before Pilate (Including the 39 Lashes)
Superstar
The Crucifixion
John Nineteen: Forty-One