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By Bruce Chadwick

originally published: 06/07/2023 

Elvie Ellis and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

This is the official 50th anniversary of the premiere of the hit Broadway play Jesus Christ Superstar, a musical that has played all over the world and is headed for the State Theatre, in New Brunswick, this coming weekend (June 9-11). It is not the traditional story of Jesus’ life and death, though, but a story that puts Judas, who betrayed Christ, in a major role. He, and high priests who punished Jesus, are the major players in the story, along with Christ.

“What motivated Judas and the high priests who sentenced him to death? This is that story. This is why Judas did it,” said Kodiak Thompson, the actor who plays Annas, one of the high priests whose actions as a priest brought about Jesus’ crucifixion.

“People have enjoyed this play, first, for the sensational music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and second, this is the Jesus story from the Judas point of view,” said Thompson, who has been touring with the show for ten months now and enjoying the experience tremendously.

“Annas, a high priest, my character, and Judas have the same point of view – that Jesus was, well, a troublemaker. He was a big threat to society back then and the powers that be, those in authority, had to get rid of him before he turned all of society upside down. They did,” said Thompson. “This play explains why so many people wanted Jesus out of the way. It also explains why the people who crucified him saw his death as a justification of their, well, their lives and their jobs.”

 

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He pauses. “It’s not proper to compare these people to today’s people, but they were people and as people had to be motivated to do things. My man, Annas, and Judas did not see themselves as villains, but as good men who protected the citizens, They did what they thought was best for all.”

He thought for a moment. “This play explains the thinking of the high priests and Judas. They had to save their people and Jesus was a threat to their people. So……… he had to go,” he said.

Jack Hopewell in the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 

What amazes Thompson today is how the play was so controversial when it opened. It was. I saw it that first year and remember the controversies. The priests and ministers were really up in arms about it. That controversy is not there anymore.

“The story in the musical is really the same exact story churches have taught people for 2,000 years. This is the story in the scriptures. It’s a straight story, backed up by the music, which is some of the best ever written for a Broadway show. This is no new spin on the Christ story. That’s why I never understood the controversy that surrounded it back then,” he said.

Kodiak sort of stumbled into the play and this role. He auditioned for six different roles in the play. They were taped and the tapes were sent to Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote the show.

“They liked me as Annas and I auditioned for that role again and I got it. I liked the role. I must have spent a year watching different productions of the show and felt I knew Annas well at that point,” said Thompson.

Elvie Ellis and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 

He has talked to many people at the different theaters where Superstar has been performed. “I agree with them all – it’s the show, not the religion.”

He always felt that way. “It’s a standard musical, really. You have a dramatic storyline, good music and talented actors. It’s a hit musical just like any other hit musical. It’s the show...”

He sees a lot of psychiatry in the show. “What is a villain? Why is that man or woman a villain? They must have reasons to do bad things and we explore the reasons behind Judas in this musical. Why Judas as the traitor? Why not someone else? Was it just the thirty pieces of silver? It was a lot of things and we discuss them,” he said.

The show has played to many sold out houses and earned strong reviews, and to Thompson, that is the sign of a good production. “Good reviews for a 50 year old show is impressive, especially since people know the story from the time they were little kids. I think it’s impressive, too, that a 50 year old play about events long ago consistently does well at the box office.”

 

Advertise with New Jersey Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info

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Thompson also believes the musical will stay popular for many more years. ‘Hey, the story has been popular for 2,000 years already...” he said.

Jack Hopewell and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 

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Performances take place at State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Avenue) in New Brunswick on Friday, June 9 at 8:00pm; Saturday, June 10 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm; and Sunday, June 11 at 2:00pm.  For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

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Bruce Chadwick worked for 23 years as an entertainment writer/critic for the New York Daily News. Later, he served as the arts and entertainment critic for the History News Network, a national online weekly magazine. Chadwick holds a Ph. D in History and Cultural Studies from Rutgers University. He has written 31 books on U.S. history and has lectured on history and culture around the world. He is a history professor at New Jersey City University.

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