Je­sus Christ Su­per­star

Was Jesus the Messiah? Did he redeem humankind? And why did he choose, of all places, the occupied land of Israel as the site of his mission some two thousand years ago? These are just a few of the questions posed by Judas in the song ‘Superstar’. For the then-unknown musical talents Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, that was the starting point for a 1970 concept album that soon evolved into a global theatre phenomenon. They were propelled forward by the album’s ambitious story concept: the final days of Jesus’ life, as told from the critical perspective of the antagonist Judas Iscariot—a decidedly provocative approach! In doing so, the two authors continually expanded the story of the Passion with their own interpretive elements. This enabled a deeply human portrayal of various biblical figures, exploring Mary Magdalene’s secret love for Jesus, Pilate’s fear of being responsible for the death of the celebrated Savior, and Jesus’ own doubts about his role as the Redeemer.

As a grand rock opera with soaring ballads, dazzling revue numbers, and an immortal guitar riff, Jesus Christ Superstar delves into the power of mass media and the cult of celebrity. Director Andreas Homoki transforms the vast hangar into a breathtaking stage for a spectacular dance show—an unmissable experience for fans of epic productions!

As the disciples quieten down, the Jewish council led by the high priests Caiaphas and Annas feel increasingly threatened by the Jesus movement. Convinced they are acting for the good of the Jewish nation, they decide:
»This Jesus must die!« Jesus meanwhile enters Jerusalem to a jubilant reception by the populace. Caiaphas and his fellow priests want the mob dispersed, but Jesus ignores their demands and stirs up the crowd even further. When his disciple Simon calls for Roman rule to be overthrown by violent means, Jesus flatly rejects that radical action. The next scandal is not long in coming: Jesus throws shady merchants out of the temple in Jerusalem for ‒ in his view ‒ desecrating the sacred place. Shortly afterwards, sick people gather round him in large numbers and beg him to cure them. Jesus cannot cope. Again, it’s only Mary who is able to calm him down. While he sleeps, she struggles to understand her feelings for him.

Intent on defending the interests of the people, Judas with a heavy heart resolves to betray Jesus. He goes to the high priests and tells them where the man can be apprehended ‒ and reluctantly accepts the money Annas and Caiaphas offer him for the information. The Last Supper takes place. Jesus leads his twelve disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to share the final hours of his life with them. As he knows the fate awaiting him, he tells his apostles that one of them will betray him and another will deny any knowledge of him. The apostles are shocked and refuse to believe it. Some time later, Jesus is arrested – Judas having identified him to the soldiers by kissing him. Shortly afterwards Jesus’s other prophecy is fulfilled: his disciple Peter three times denies knowing him.

After Jesus is tried before the high priests, he is taken to the Roman provincial governor, Pontius Pilate. Disturbed by a dream he has had, Pilate wants nothing to do with the »King of the Jews« and sends him to Herod. As Jesus refuses to perform any miracles, Herod loses his temper and sends him back to Pilate. Judas realises that, by betraying Jesus, he has not forced the latter to act, but delivered him up to die. Tormented by guilt and despair, Judas takes his own life.

Before Pontius Pilate again, Jesus is found not guilty, but an angry crowd of people demands his crucifixion ever more loudly. Pilate eventually gives in to pressure from the bloodthirsty mob, orders Jesus to be flogged 39 times and sentences him to death. Shortly before his death, the ghost of Judas appears to Jesus and asks who he actually is and whether it has all been worth it. On the cross Jesus dies, uttering the words: »It is finished. Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.«