c. 2007 Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

VIENNA, Va. _ Ted Neeley has played the title role in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” stage for 36 years. That’s longer than Jesus’ own life on earth, according to many scholars.

“Don’t anyone believe that I am Jesus Christ,” Neeley says. “I am a rock and roll drummer from Texas who hits high notes and (has) gotten very, very fortunate to do this character and be in this play.”

Now 63, the Jesus Neeley portrays here at Virginia’s Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the same portrayal he gave in the 1973 film version of the hit musical. It’s a Jesus tormented by doubt, anger, passion.

“It is dealing with those last few moments of the man who is transcending humanity into God and questioning every move that he makes because he know his time is running out and (he) hasn’t, he feels he hasn’t accomplished what he came here to do.”

Neeley said his performances as Jesus have been so persuasive, he’s been asked to speak at churches, to bless Bibles and unborn babies.

“(People) will go to their respective church and listen to sermons and sort of understand,” Neeley said. “Then they look at this film or see this play and if they can actually see human beings portraying the roles and can hear through the dialogue the language that is much more understandable, they can relate to it and they find solace in that.”

The Jesus in this musical is human _ his relationship with Mary Magdalene, for example, is sensual, almost earthy, but he is also divine. That twofold nature of Jesus _ mortal and immortal _ and the power of the story of his last seven days on earth account for the play’s longevity and enduring appeal, Neeley said.

Neeley himself said he regards Jesus as a wise man, a prophet and the son of God.

“I still have my beliefs, my Christian beliefs,” he said. “I believe in Christ as the son of God. And I believe that so deeply, that that is so deeply set in my spirit that no one can challenge that.”

Growing up in west Texas, Neeley was a churchgoer but doesn’t attend church regularly now because, he says, the role serves the same function _ and more.

Playing the role, Neeley said, “has deepened my faith. It has deepened my faith beyond recognition. … Without even trying,I have become in the minds of many a minister.”

At a recent Wolf Trap performance, theatergoers gave various reasons for attending.

“Because we are Catholic, I think it is a very powerful message,” Catherine Curtain said.

“It is a message I believe in,” Barbara Marshall added.

“No one is preaching to me,” said Harry Schiller. “I am coming to the preaching.”

After the performance, some in the audience, clearly moved, waited almost an hour to greet Neeley and tell him how much his performance meant to them.

One woman told the actor, “You changed my life, you changed my life.”

“The majority of people with whom I have had the pleasure of speaking after the performances literally tell me they have found their spirituality as a result of … seeing the play,” Neeley said.

For the aging Neeley, the role is grueling. But he said it is also a role like no other. And he plans to keep performing it as long as he can.

“Maybe I would have had more fun if I could have played a few Jack Nicholson roles here and there, you know,” he said. “But to be able to touch humanity anywhere as a result of being able to sing each night, what could be better than that?”

(A version of this story first appeared on the PBS program “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.” This article may be reprinted by RNS clients. Please use the Religion & Ethics Newsweekly byline.)

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