David Cassidy in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. 1984

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Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera, with music by Andrew Lloyd Weber and lyrics by Tim Rice. It was first released as a concept album (with Ian Gillan as Jesus), in 1970. The success of this album let to Broadway's debute in 1971, and a year later to much more successful London's production, at the Palace Theatre, the show was running there for 8 years.

The story of making a film version of Jesus Christ Superstar is really amazing and very complicated. The film rights was owned by MCA Records, and a lot of directors were considered for the job. Norman Jewison was a great fan of the album, and he publicly expressed interest in directing the film adaptation at the premiere of his hit musical 'Fiddler On the Roof', in 1971. After many talks and meetings Universal Pictures agreed on Norman Jewison, who also co-produced Jesus Christ Superstar, with Robert Stigwood.

Jesus Christ Superstar from the beginning was controversial, mainly for religious reasons, the role was extremely demanding vocally, and the film was to be made not in California but in Israeli and Palestinian camp basis, so it was also dangerous. It wasn't easy to persuade any big star to play in the film.

Ian Gillan who sang on the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOjyGy1NR4Y

According to casting notes Norman Jewison wrote on stationary paper at the Beverley Hills Hotel, for the role of Jesus he considered Ian Gillan, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Barry Gibb and Robert Plant. And not him, but other producers also thought about Mickey Dolenz and...David Cassidy. The casting was in 1971. I just can't believe that David was seriously considered in that role. It's impossible.  He was too young, only 21, too busy, his voice was not developed enough, ..and last but not least DC never said a word about it. 

He gave some interviews before his performance in Jesus Christ Superstar in the Kansas City Production, in early August 1984. He said, "I'm initimidated by the sheer size of it. I've never been at the centre of a production in a cast of 150, much less playing Jesus Christ. I find myself in rehearsals asking questions like, 'How would Jesus walk?'(..) I've never have anything so dramatically or vocally challenging before."

https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TvFilmPages/1984August10_Out&AboutThisWeekend.html

David performed in Jesus Christ Superstar from August 6 to August 12, at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. It was an enormous task. Starlight Theatre is a 8,000 seat outdoor venue. After the premiere Robert W, Butler wrote in a review,

'Mr Cassidy's singing voice was slightly strained in the tortuous and frequent falsetto passages, but for the most part nicely negotiated the tricky score and was quite magnificent on 'Gethesmane'. He also risked his life and limb in the startling crucifixion scene."

David really hoped for a national  tour with Jesus Christ Superstar, but nothing came of it. Maybe it's better. After the short run at Starlight Theatre he couldn't speak.

We have 2 part audio of the Kansas production with David Cassidy, unfortunatelly very poor quality. Maybe something can be done about it..one day.

https://www.davidcassidy.com/fansite/TheatrePages/JesusSongs.html

 


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