What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! April 1 - 7, 2018 BY K.A. TAYLOR TV Media I n the late 1960s, musical theater was getting a complete makeover. For years, the genre did its best to avoid serious subjects, keeping joy and whimsy in the forefront. While it seemed for a time that interest in this form of theater was waning, a new breed of musical theater would resurrect the genre. Rock was woven into the pag- es of fresh, new takes on bibli- cal narratives and, in 1970, "Je- sus Christ Superstar" was born. On Sunday, April 1, NBC brings this legendary rock mu- sical to audiences across North America, when "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Con- cert" takes over prime time. Initially a concept album, "Je- sus Christ Superstar" delves into the last days of Jesus Christ, with particular focus on the relationships between Jesus and some well-known biblical figures, including Judas, Mary Magdalene and King Herod. The show plays fast and loose with depictions of these fig- ures, as the musical's creators, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, look to humanize them and make them relatable. The lines between God and man are blurred, with Jesus un- afraid to confront modern-day social issues. While the musical has no doubt been performed in countless high schools and in- dependent theaters around the globe, its professional runs have been consistent since the concept album's creation, with more than 19 productions, in- cluding four on Broadway. For NBC's live, prime-time adaptation, some major star power has been recruited. In the titular role of Jesus Christ is singer, songwriter and actor John Legend ("La La Land," 2016). Not only is Legend the star of the production, he is also co-producer. When asked by The Paley Center for Media to express why he was in- trigued by the opportunity, Legend's answer was amus- ingly simple: "Bottom line is, they offered me the chance to play Jesus Christ ... I was like, let's do it." While this is Legend's first leading role in a televised mu- sical, it's not his first screen gig — he played the role of Keith in the multiple award- winning feature musical film "La La Land" in 2016. He also co-wrote and recorded a song with the film, "Start a Fire," enjoying a rare opportunity to contribute to a musical's score. Joining Legend onstage — and on screen — is singer- songwriter Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, a notable follower of Jesus, according to biblical records. Sadly, she was known less for her witnessing of Christ's crucifixion and res- urrection and more so for her profession as a sex worker, a depiction not entirely present in the gospels or other biblical texts. Another key player in the musical, one well familiar with its story and lyrical con- tent, is legendary rocker Alice Cooper. Cooper takes on the role of King Herod, a ruler who lives for excess and deca- dence and fails to see the di- vinity of Christ, declaring him a liar. This isn't Cooper's first time in the role: a 1996 cast record- John Legend as seen in "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" Rock has risen continued on page T10 TV FEATURE B/Health Initiatives Research 2 x 5 Health Initiatives Research 479-575-9600 2233 N Green Acres Rd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 CREAD 2 is a clinical research study for people aged 50 to 85 who are experiencing increasing problems with their memory. Contact the study team to learn more.