John Lennon and Yoko Ono have been the subject of more rumors than just about any other couple in history. A persistent rumor claims that John Andrew Lloyd Webber was offered the chance to play Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar, and he wanted Yoko to play Mary Magdalene. is it true?
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Why John Lennon was perfect for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
The Jesus Christ Superstar was perhaps the most provocative music of its time. The show questions Christian dogma about Jesus, while Judah Iscariot is giving a sympathetic role. The music also depicts Mary Magdalene as being drawn to Jesus.
Since John was one of the most provocative musicians of the 1970s, he seems to be the perfect fit for a superstar. Superstar was also one of the first rock musicals ever released, and John Rock was one of the great pioneers. “Simon Zealotes,” one of the songs from the music, even sounds like the Beatles’ Lady Madonna. There is just one problem with the rumor: John was never offered the part.
According to Broadwayworld, John is believed to participate only if Yoko got to play Mary Magdalene. The role is interesting in Yoko, as Mary Magdalene’s signature song, “I Don’t Know How To Love Her,” is suited to a voice far more delicate than Yoko’s. Alas, it was not to be.
Andrew Lloyd Webber breaks his silence
Weber dismissed the rumor in an interview with Billboard in 2014. He said, “Like so many things, I think a journalist played John and said, ‘Are you interested in playing the role of Jesus Christ in this music? It wasn’t a musical yet; it was just. There was an idea at the time. He probably said no.
Weber continued, “So someone rang us and said, ‘If John Lennon had to say yes, you would say yes? We said,’ We haven’t written it yet! ‘So it turned into John Lennon playing Jesus Christ.” is!
Would John Lennon have wanted the part?
It is unclear if John wanted the role. In an interview recorded, We’re All Saying, John, criticized Christianity. “The business of the whole religion suffers from the ‘forward, Christian soldiers’ bit. There is much talk about soldiers there and marching and converting.
He said, “I am not insisting Buddhism, because I am more a Buddhist than I am a Christian, but there is one thing I admire about religion [Buddhism]: there is no proselytizing.” Given his attitude towards Christianity, he may have been drawn to the superstar and his arguably blasphemous themes. On the other hand, he may have wanted to avoid anything to do with Jesus.
‘Superstar’ and other famous musicians
Although the world never got to see John and Yoko playing Jesus and Mary Magdalene, a star-studded version of the music would eventually be produced. A television version of Jesus Christ Superstar features Jesus as Mary Magdalene and John Legend as Sarah Bareilly. Legend and Bareilles may not have the combined star power of John and Yoko at their peak, but fans and critics alike praised their performance.
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