I didn't really know what to expect going into this show. I'd seen the movie, of course, and it was supposed to be Ted Neeley and Carl Andersen starring in the tour (though we had an understudy for Judas). But I wasn't sure how similar the stage version would be to the movie.

The thing that made me happiest was that there were no tanks in the stage version. :-) There were, however, the three temptresses that surrounded Judas, and though I liked the idea, they annoyed me after a little while. :-)

Ted Neeley was still a wonderful Jesus, twenty years after doing the movie. He has the mannerisms down pat! :-) And though the high notes weren't quite as strong as they had once been, they were still pretty darn impressive. The rest of the cast was also really good, most notably the guy who played Pilate, Jason Raize, and the guy who played Peter, who was also an understudy.

You'd think that, being as familiar with this story as I am, that nothing would make me cry. Wrong. :-) The ending was incredibly moving...as the cross rose with Jesus on it, and then he was lifted up into the heavens with the cross glowing from within. I was in tears. It was a beautiful moment.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this show as much as I might have because of technical problems! I don't know who decided to have the mikes turned up full volume, but both the singing and the music was almost deafening. And I've seen other shows at that theatre, so I know it's not just their sound system. It really did take away from the whole experience, which is a shame.