Jesucristo Superstar no es simplemente un grupo o cantante; es un fenómeno que marcó una generación. Esta ópera rock, creada por Andrew Lloyd Webber (música) y Tim Rice (letras), se estrenó por primera vez como un álbum conceptual en 1970. Gracias a la habilidad lírica y musical de estos dos talentos británicos, la obra se catapultó al éxito en un abrir y cerrar de ojos.
El álbum conceptual Jesucristo Superstar se estrenó en septiembre de 1970 bajo el sello de MCA Records. Este doble LP no tardó en levantar tanto elogios como controversia. La interpretación moderna y humanizada de Jesús, Judas y los otros personajes bíblicos tocó la fibra sensible de muchos, generando debates que iban desde lo religioso hasta lo artístico.
Impulsados por el éxito del álbum, los creadores decidieron presentar Jesucristo Superstar en escenarios teatrales. El espectáculo debutó en Broadway en octubre de 1971, dirigido por Tom O'Horgan y producido por Robert Stigwood. A pesar de que la producción recibió críticas mixtas, especialmente en su debut en Broadway, el público se mostró entusiasta y las entradas se vendieron a un ritmo vertiginoso.
Poco tiempo después, en 1972, la ópera rock llegó al prestigioso West End de Londres. Esta versión, dirigida por Jim Sharman, también tuvo un éxito considerable, consolidándose como un fenómeno teatral tanto en América como en Europa.
Trial Before Pilate
And so the king is once again my guest.
And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?
CAIAPHAS
We turn to Rome to sentence Nazareth.
We have no law to put a man to death.
We need him crucified.
It's all you have to do.
We need him crucified.
It's all you have to do.
PILATE
Talk to me Jesus Christ.
You have been brought here
Manacled, beaten by your own people.
Do you have the first idea why you deserve it?
Listen King of the Jews,
Where is your kingdom?
Look at me. Am I a Jew?
JESUS
I have no kingdom in this world.
I'm through.
There may be a kingdom for me somewhere.
If you only knew.
PILATE
Then you are a king?
JESUS
It's you that say I am.
I look for truth and find that I get damned.
PILATE
But what is truth?
Is truth a changing law?
We both have truths.
Are mine the same as yours?
MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!
PILATE
What do you mean?
You'd crucify your king?
MOB
We have no king but Caesar!
PILATE
He's done no wrong.
No, not the slightest thing.
MOB
We have no king but Caesar!
Crucify him!
PILATE
What is this new respect for Caesar?
'Till now this has been noticeably lacking.
Who is this Jesus? Why is he different?
You choose Messiahs by the sackfull.
MOB
We need him crucified,
It's all you have to do.
We need him crucified,
It's all you have to do.
PILATE
Talk to me, Jesus Christ.
Look at your Jesus Christ.
I'll agree he's mad.
Ought to be locked up,
But that is not a reason to destroy him.
He's a sad little man.
Not a King or God.
Not a thief,
I need a crime!
MOB
Crucify him!
PILATE
Behold a man,
Behold your shattered King.
MOB
We have no King but Caesar.
PILATE
You hypocrites,
You hate us more than him.
MOB
We have no King but Caesar,
Crucify him!
PILATE
I see no reason. I find no evil.
This man is harmless, so why does he upset you?
He's just misguided, thinks he's important,
But to keep you vultures happy I shall flog him.
MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!
(Thirty-nine lashes, Pilate counts)
PILATE
Where are you from Jesus?
What do you want Jesus?
Tell me.
You've got to be careful.
You could be dead soon,
Could well be.
Why do you not speak when
I hold your life in my hands?
How can you stay quiet?
I don't believe you understand.
JESUS
You have nothing in your hands.
Any power you have, comes to you from far beyond.
Everything is fixed, and you can't change it.
PILATE
You're a fool Jesus Christ.
How can I help you?
MOB
Pilate, Crucify him!
Remember Caesar.
You have a duty
To keep the peace, so crucify him!
Remember Caesar.
You'll be demoted.
You'll be deported. Crucify him!
Remember Caesar.
You have a duty
To keep the peace, so crucify him!
Remember Caesar.
You'll be demoted.
You'll be deported. Crucify him!
Remember Caesar.
You have a duty
To keep the peace, so crucify him!
Remember Caesar.
You'll be demoted.
You'll be deported. Crucify him!
PILATE
Don't let me stop your great self-destruction.
Die if you want to, you misguided martyr.
I wash my hands of your demolition.
Die if you want to you innocent puppet!