I finally had the chance to watch this musical in SG with Ms Ng and it was a very good musical with good singing and good musicianship. What i really got from it after the show, was alot of reflection about it and its link to my Christianity and I couldnt have had a better musical partner to see this show than Ms Ng.
Where do I even start?
Talking technicality...
The show had little set changes except for a moving crucifix platform (only moves at the end). Musicians were on the 2nd level of the set pieces and there werent many but there were some cast members woh also played instruments during the show. So in that case, why not have the musicians be one with the cast. Visually they can see clearly what is onstage and take visual cues from there. I also think there are some prerecorded tracks even though the keyboardist also acts as the "conductor'.
The set was raw and industrial and the theme of the musical being heavy on contemporary singing, there were beams, flight cases, mic stands, mics and cables etc openly used as set pieces, steps, props. No curtains. In fact Judas's suicide was potrayed by a mic and xlr cable hanging off a high place..
all costumes were simple as well. most of the cast were in grey street wear, comfy grey shoes and grey baggy pants. The pharisees were barechested with purple robes and black pants. Headgear was minimal except roman masks and the crown of thorns.
The flogging of Jesus was done with glitter and with his body already covered in blood, the glitter stuck to him even more and by the time he was nailed to the cross, he was a mass of blood and glitter. And the stage lights made him glitter up like a glorified sacrifice. It was a good touch and didnt lose the impact of his flogging.
My thoughts on the props, is that it was a nice touch to use mic stands as props.
I also was not a fan of all the casts holding the cross at the scene of Jesus getting angry at the synagogue when people were selling goods in the synagogue grounds. I dont understand the need to use the cross.
Songs and music
So with all the minimalist-ness of all that, the focus was really on the singing and light effects (although even then it wasnt always rock concert lighting) And the singing was very good. the continuity of the music/dance/singing from song to song was fluid.
Might i also add that there were very distinct singing styles between the Pharisees, ROmans and Jews/Gentiles. And throughout the musical, different music genres were played. Jazz, Choir gospel, R&B, rock. Again the vocals for the lead casts were topnotch. AND Pontius Pilates's songs were (in my opinion) the hardest to sing because the tunes were not as easy to catch as most of the others. Also Big Note about Caliphas's lovely bassy voice.
Here is where I need to say what other thoughts i have about the singing. Whilst the singing is great, I feel that some cast might have overdone the emoting and self expression and in doing so, made it hard for people to hear the lyrics of the songs. Not to mention that there wasnt surtitles for people to read as they sang. And bare in mind this is a true musical where 97% of the show was singing and not talking. So this is a pity. The overemoting also might have changed the meaning of what they sang because i dont think Jesus ever portrayed despair but that was what was emoted by the cast in his singing.
And the music might have been just abit too loud against the singing.
Storyline
Honestly people who didnt know the storyline, would be confused. especially with the unaudible lyrics. many parts of Jesus was skimmed over, touched and gone.
The most important part of Jesus's life was excluded from the entire musical and it is the resurrection. The most heated discussion about Jesus in religion is whether He is who He says He is and whether he resurrects to clean us of our sins. that resurrection is the clear line between Christianity, Judaism and Islam. so if they included that part in the musical, it would be a bigger controvery than it already is in the Christian sector.
SO i get why it wasnt included and i get why they skim through alot of the poignant parts of his story. Its just abit sad..
But the ending, where they persecute and crucify him, still packs a punch. They didnt use alot of the phrases from the bible except for " it is finished"" into your hands i cast my soul" I definitely needed to be said those 2 phrases ti be said and I'm glad it was kept. If could be forgiven that they did not want to use any bible verses because that would still be a controversy. But im very thankful they kept that.
In the end, Im still very thankful to watch this and it was a really good show. The music and singing was great but it might have put Jesus Christ in a not so ideal light. His story could have been misconstrued more than what was intended.
Would I watch it again? Maybe not? but not because I dislike it. If the design of the show was different then maybe I will watch. ie: set, costume, props etc for the theatrics. In fact this musical gave old school musical vibes like Cats and Joseph The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat whilst the theatrics of the newer musicals have changed to include LED and rotating sets etc.
I know that despite all that is discussed about the show's good and bad (subjective opinion of course) that God works in mysterious ways and will find ways yo speak to people via this musical as well, bringing more children to Him.
