Jesus Christ Superstar debuted in 1970 and quickly gained fame as one of the boldest musical interpretations of the last days of Jesus Christ. With its modernised score, stylised interpretations, and controversial themes, it revolutionised the portrayal of biblical events in popular culture. The musical explores Jesus’s final week, using a contemporary lens to delve into themes of faith, doubt, and the political turmoil surrounding him.
Featuring lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this production was reimagined by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre where it originated and is helmed by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie.
Reuben Kaye, who plays Herod in the Australian run, loves the fact that the production has been taken back to its rock roots.
“It’s not literal. We’re not in biblical times. It’s slightly abstracted and modernised, but done so with such a gritty music focus,” Kaye told The AJN.
“It’s rare that I’m the least talented person so it’s a testament to this show that they’ve rocked my immovable ego.”
Herod is one of the most striking characters and plays a pivotal role in the musical.
For Reuben Kaye, it’s an enchanting part to play.
“I’ll be the first to say that I never read the sequel,” the performer laughed while chatting The AJN. “The New Testament was never that interesting to me. It all feels a bit like fanfiction – Mark, John, Luke, Debbie, Samantha – the Gospels; they’re like the Twilight books. But when I did some research on Herod, I found that he was one of the most fascinating, complex, immature, little homicidal Nepo baby egomaniacs. He comes from this great line of nut bags. And if there’s anything fun to play, it’s a complete and utter loon.”
A comedian, singer and actor, Kaye was raised by a family of Jewish artists. His grandmother was a couturier, my mum is a filmmaker, and his dad is an artist. Kaye said his artistic journey as a performer was encouraged by those who came before him.
“I have a very proud artistic heritage that is intricately woven with our Jewish identity,” he explained.
The performer has always been interested in pushing the boundaries and explained that he takes inspiration from post-war comedians like Jackie Maso
Again, he said it comes back to his Jewish heritage.
“Show me a comedian who can push the boundaries like a post-war comedian can. A comedian who has been through what they have been through,” Kaye pointed out. “There’s so much that the Shoah took from us, but I think what it has given us is this ability to switch from tragedy to comedy, from terror to comedy, and the release of that. To be Jewish is to know that behind every laugh there is a tear, and with every tear there is a laugh.”
“He comes from this great line of nut bags. And if there’s anything fun to play, it’s a complete and utter loon.”
Herod’s character, though appearing briefly, plays a pivotal role in Jesus Christ Superstar, adding both levity and satire.
On top of the joy he feels playing such a loony character, Kaye also explained that the costumes and set are right up his alley.
The show is designed by Tom Scutt who recently won a Tony Award for his design for Cabaret.
“The design is fabulous. And then they showed me the costume,” Kaye gushed. “I’ve really had a chance to make the character, the costume and the moment my own within this show. Suddenly, the show shifts and has a lovely tilt from this huge epic rock gig into the world of cabaret and comedy,” Kaye said.
Kaye acknowledged the controversy around the musical, particularly when it first came out. The Broadway show was condemned by a raft of different religious groups, including Jews who claimed that it bolstered the myth of Jewish deicide, where Jewish figures have been depicted as the architects of Jesus’s downfall. Others appreciate the focus on political rather than religious motivations, seeing it as a nuanced look at the pressures faced by Jewish leaders.
Given the legacy of European passion plays, which often explicitly cast Jews as villains in the story of Jesus, Jesus Christ Superstar does walk a fine line. In this context, Herod’s portrayal as an absurd, sceptical figure offers a deliberate, satirical counterpoint, shifting the focus toward the corrupting influence of political power rather than casting blame on religious tradition.
Herod’s character can also be viewed as an embodiment of the challenges faced by Jewish leaders under Roman rule.
“Every single person has hated this musical until they loved it,” Kaye laughed. “It was protested by Christians, but then the Vatican actually endorsed it. It gets protested and protested, and then they see it, and people realise that it’s amazing with amazing music. There’s so much good in this show.
“I think there’s something for everyone. There’s great cerebral content and commentary, the music, the band, and this cast sound, if I can swear, f***ing incredible. It’s rare that I’m the least talented person so it’s a testament to this show that they’ve rocked my immovable ego.”
Jesus Christ Superstar is at the Capitol Theatre from November 6. For tickets: jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au
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