What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/959991
T10 WHATS UP! April 1 - 7, 2018 ing of "Jesus Christ Superstar" also featured him as the king. Sitting at The Paley Center's discussion on this anticipated televised production with his fellow cast and crew, Cooper expressed his feelings about returning to the role. Accord- ing to Cooper, Tim Rice is an "old friend of [his]," and it was Rice who long believed Coo- per had the "[cynicism] and dangerous" nature required for the part. Despite finding the same ap- peal as Legend with regard to being cast as Jesus, Cooper ad- mits that "[he] never gets cast as Jesus," though he's not sur- prised and fairly certain he knows why. His stage persona as a rock musician doesn't re- ally give that Christ-like vibe. This all-new, one-time pro- duction of "Jesus Christ Su- perstar Live in Concert" is not the first television special of its kind. Many viewers may be familiar with recent small- screen live adaptations of oth- er musicals by NBC, including "The Sound of Music Live," "The Wiz Live," "Hairspray Live!" and "Grease: Live." While these offerings may seem to be a recent phenome- non, NBC is no stranger to the teleplay. Both 1955 and 1956 found the musical adaptation of J. M. Barrie's classic "Peter Pan" making waves on TVs across America — notably the first time that a Broadway musical had ever been televised as a complete production, at that time also including almost the entire stage cast. Fittingly, "Pe- ter Pan Live!" was also a recent NBC production, with the ad- aptation airing Dec. 4, 2014. "Jesus Christ Superstar" made a name for itself in the early '70s for its infusion of rock 'n' roll with the Bible's foremost narrative. At once daring and mesmerizing, the production, which also re- ceived cinematic treatment in 1973, wasn't afraid to challenge preconceived notions and de- pictions of Christ and the fig- ures that surrounded him. At its core, though, much like the variability of the char- acters portrayed and the depths of their personas, Leg- end sees the production's mu- sic as not merely one-note. To him, the musical is "kind of a genre-bending and expanding piece," one that, "for those ... who love music and those ... who love to perform," does not have "as many boundaries as some would suggest." Take a break from the quiet contemplation of Easter week- end and rejoice, for a renowned rock musical is about to shake up prime time. Catch John Leg- end, Sarah Bareilles and Alice Cooper as they're joined by an incredible cast for "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert," air- ing Sunday, April 1, on NBC. Sara Bareilles stars in "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" continued from page T2 Sunday's son: 'Jesus Christ Superstar' gets Legend-ary treatment TV FEATURE