Gilbert Theater Examiner: Chats with Ted Neeley star of Jesus Christ Superstar Part One

Logo courtesy of ASU Gammage

The National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar will open at the ASU Gammage on April 6 and continue through April 11. Jesus Christ Superstar has the distinction of being the first smash stage success of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Following on the innovative heels of Hair, Superstar firmly established the sound of rock in Broadway musicals. It is also the show that catapulted Ted Neeley to international stardom. Since that opening night on October 12, 1971, the names Jesus Christ Superstar and Ted Neeley have become forever joined as one and the same.

Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Ted Neeley about his rich and rewarding history with Jesus Christ Superstar. I found him to be open, personable and gracious. While his place in the history of rock music is assured, Neeley is disarmingly unassuming about his ample talents and achievements.

Ted Neeley was such a delightful raconteur that this interview will be published in two parts. This is Part One. Part two will be published tomorrow.

Ted Neeley and company photo by Joan Marcus

You are well known for playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar but you have had a great career in both theater and music. Other than Jesus, what are some of your other favorite roles that you have played?

Oh, my goodness! That would take us hours. I can try to edit that down to say every piece that I have had the honor to be in has been a wonderful educational process for me. Most importantly, the very first one which was Hair. That was my first experience in theater and I got to be in that show for three years prior to being a part of Jesus Christ Superstar, During that three year period, I had the great good fortune of working with a magnificent director named Tom O'Horgan. Bless his heart! He just passed away recently. I had the opportunity to be his student, if you will, in theater for three straight years. Literally, the man taught me everything I know about what it is that I do when I get the opportunity to be in a wonderful production.

I played the role of Claude in Hair who is the one character in the piece that chooses not to burn his draft card and ends up going to fight in the Vietnam war, ultimately losing his life. The great experience was that I was able to go from that production of Hair directly into Superstar because Mr. O'Horgan was the original director of the Superstar production in New York in 1971.

Ted Neeley and James Delisco photo by Joan Marcus

I saw that production.

Well, then you saw the magnificent visionary ability of Tom O'Horgan and his design partner Robin Wagner who was the set designer and co-creator of not only Hair and Superstar but also the production we did of Sgt. Pepper. Both those gentlemen did many other productions but those are the ones that I specifically worked on with them. They also conceived and directed the first National Tour of Superstar. That show opened at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, a theater that was actually built for the Jesus Christ Superstar production that year; that was in 1972. I just have to say that no matter what I have had the pleasure of doing theatrically, or on film, or on television, or whatever, nothing whatsoever compares with the experience I have had with Jesus Christ Superstar. It is something that has changed my life drastically in every possible way, all for the better, and it is something that I shall forever be thankful for having had the opportunity to be a part of.

Ted Neeley and company photo by Joan Marcus

You have played Jesus over 1700 times. What about Jesus Christ Superstar has inspired to make it such an important part of your life?

Actually the experience itself! I initially auditioned for the role of Judas. I got a call from Mr. O'Horgan saying, “Ted, I'm doing this play and I want you to be in it. The producers don't know your work. Please, just pick up the album, choose a song and come sing for us.” So I did!

When I heard the album I gravitated toward the songs that the character Judas sang and certainly the character as well; primarily, because of my personal upbringing, growing up in a tiny Texas town with churches everywhere. I had a deeply religious background so I was very familiar with the whole concept. I honestly didn't think it would be a very wise decision for an actor of my limited ability to take on the role of the most well-known icon in all of history. I opted for the role of Judas so I could play someone that people didn't know so much about other than an initial dastardly deed.

I auditioned; I sang the song Heaven on their Minds which is the opening song. Once the song was finished I noticed Mr. O'Horgan jumped out of his seat in the theater and ran up toward the stage. I was thinking, “My goodness, maybe I got the part.” He ran up on stage. He threw his arms around me. He told me, “That was lovely but if you wouldn't mind, please come back tomorrow and sing the other guy.” And I have been singing the other guy ever since!

Ted Neeley and company photo by Joan Marcus

Will this be your farewell tour in JCS?

Oh, I sincerely hope not! Certainly that rumor has been flying around for quite some time. In fact, to be honest with you, when we first mounted this show in New York, in 1971, we thought it was the farewell experience for all of us. We had no idea it would go past opening night. At that time no one knew about the plans for a film. So every time I have been a part of this, everyone thinks it will be the last time it's done. I have no desire to retire from this business, ever. I am hoping that I have at least another 2000 years performing this role.