The musical Jesus Christ Superstar began its life as a 1970 concept album by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice before becoming a 1971 stage show and then a 1973 movie. The original work inspired some controversy, as was inevitable for a rock musical retelling of the story of Jesus, but thanks to its earnest spirit and songs such as “Everything’s All Right” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” the show transitioned from blasphemous to beloved as it became a part of the pop culture firmament. The show is now produced regularly around the world, and in 2018 NBC aired a concert version featuring John Legend as Jesus.
The show was enough of a phenomenon that before it even came to Broadway in 1972, LIFE magazine had already devoted a cover story to it, based on early stagings in London and other locations. And LIFE wrote about the show again when the Jesus Christ Superstar finally came to New York. This version of the musical had a more elaborate staging that made for some eye-popping photos by LIFE staff photogapher John Olson, But the magazine felt that these embellishments were a needless distraction. LIFE’s headline on its Oct. 22, 1972 story about the Broadway production was “`Superstar’ Becomes a Circus.'”
Here’s LIFE’s critique of that version of the show:
Thanks to director Tom O’Horgan, the stage floor doubles as a curtain, there are smoke machines laser beams and wind machines. People descend from the ceiling on intricate bridges and appear out of the floor wearing incredible costumes….Superstar’s appealing music and lyrics are still there, and there are compelling performances by Ben Vereen as Judas and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. But the humanness of Christ, a central concept of the work, has been buried under the ruck of show-biz gimmickry.
Even while enumerating what it saw as the production’s shortcomings, LIFE acknowledged that it would be a massive hit with audiences—which it was, and that set the stage for the film version.
Directed by Norman Jewison, the movie was filmed in locations around Israel and Palestine. LIFE staff photographer John Dominis was on set to document the making of the movie.
Alas, those photos never made it into the magazine. The movie came out in the summer of 1973, but by then LIFE ended its original run with its issue of Dec. 29, 1972.
Actor Jeff Fenholt as Jesus, wearing giant golden robe with followers seated around hem, is elevated with angels and Judas, played by actor Ben Vereen, on a wing-shaped set platform in a scene from the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1972.
John Olson/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Jeff Fenholt in his role as Jesus, surrounded by his disciples, in a scene from the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1972.
John Olson/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Jeff Fenholt, in his role as Jesus, is carried by his followers in the Palm Sunday scene from the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1972.
John Olson/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Ben Vereen as Judas hangs limply from a rope in a scene from the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1972.
John Olson/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Jeff Fenholt as Jesus in the Crucifixion scene from the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar, 1972.
John Olson/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A scene from the filming of the 1973 movie Jesus Christ Superstar.
John Dominis/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A scene from the filming of the 1973 movie Jesus Christ Superstar.
John Dominis/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A scene from the filming of the 1973 movie Jesus Christ Superstar.
John Dominis/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
A scene from the filming of the 1973 movie Jesus Christ Superstar.
John Dominis/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Actor Ted Neeley, as Jesus, in scene from the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar.
John Dominis/Life Picture Collection/Shutterstock
