@RightCoaster did you not like the costuming or the show itself? It is a rock opera style, so if that isn’t your taste, I guess I understand. But I thought it did a great job telling a part of the crucifixion story that is not as well known.
And contrary to some posters here, I loved the choreography! I did not think it was distracting - I thought it was funky but not too Beyonce/sexual, just a lot of fun.
I thought Alice Cooper should have moved more - that song calls for some schmaltz.
@preppedparent fwiw I was there and my seat overlooked where ALW was standing off-camera during the bows. He looked happy (smiling a lot) and spoke to Sara right away for quite awhile b/c she exited there.
Little info on Norm Lewis and how he got into theatre.
https://www.playbill.com/article/jesus-christ-superstars-norm-lewis-was-almost-an-ad-executive
I didn’t love it either @RightCoaster . I didn’t hate it, but wasn’t blown away. Even though I’m Jewish as an adult, I was part of a hippie protestant church in the 70s when I was a kid and this just didn’t do it for me.
@preppedparent Out of mothballs? JCS is an often-produced show around the world every year. It has probably been produced in 40+ countries through the years. Has been on Broadway four times and also in the West End, more than once. I have friends involved in two professional productions this summer! 
@MusakParent Ted Neeley is also a baritone!
I enjoyed the show for what it was. I try not to be married to ‘originals’ of anything at my stage of life. I’ve seen productions so many times through the years and will probably see two more this summer. No one can touch Ted Neeley, in my opinion. I saw him in the show when he first started and also saw him not that many years ago when he was close to 70 years old. Still impressive.
Brandon was wonderful, Sara was lovely. I adore John Legend’s voice but his acting skills are nonexistent. I’m happy that they went with a large ensemble. It was a fun evening, made even more fun by knowing several onstage, who truly loved being involved.
^^sorry, about the mothballs. I loved it in the 70’s. And never heard about it again. But I don’t go to Broadway. My father came home with the album when I was 12 and I played it over and over again. What’s the buzz? tell me what’s a happening…haha. We were from a poor family and I saw one CYO production (Catholic Youth Organization) teen performance, and I LOVED IT. Haven’t seen it since. But I loved it Easter night. Thought they rocked it. Sarah Bareilles was fantastic. Still Singing “I don’t know how to love him…” in the car on my way to work this morning.
I enjoyed this production. I think I am in the minority in not liking Sara Bareilles. I thought John Legend sounded good, except on some very low notes and I am not sure he “filled” the role, but overall thought he was good. Ted Neely/Ian Gillian/Steve Balsamo/Murray Head are hard to follow.
Well they do it every year for the Superbowl. Make the commercials good enough and people will watch.
I loved it-thought it was so exciting! The Ensemble killed it. I love how many there were- all shapes and sizes, all getting paid to do what they love. I really dug the costumes except for the bathrobe. I’ve performed the show many times and grew up with the brown album, so know every word. Loved the pit onstage and the strings being involved in show. Brandon was fabulous and he has a great instrument so waited until the end to give us some rocker growls so he wouldn’t kill his voice. I liked some of John’s work earlier in the show. His fast vibrato works in some of his own stuff but not for this IMHO. People were raving about Gethsemane. I thought it was pretty bad. Yes, I am conditioned to hearing a lot of it up the octave like the wailing of a Ted Neely. John actually sang it mostly as written, but the falsetto was not good. Noooo. And the acting-not so much. He may have overdone it in tech? But even when Brandon was getting raspy, he was still on top of his notes. But the show probably wouldn’t have gotten off the ground without John. So we have him to thank. And he was fine. They could have found someone better, but he was fine. Sara was good and a good storyteller. Norm was great - I think he really had to work at those bass notes. Loved Annas too. Pilate was interesting, not my fave. But overall-I really enjoyed it. Direction and set design amazing. And I loved the Ensemble! This was THE best one yet. But unfortunately Sound of Music got the best ratings - being the first. Second to me was Grease, then Hairspray-Penny and Link bad casting but keep 'em coming! So many MT kids around here were so hyped after seeing it. And we knew several people in it too. Congrats to all of them
@twoinanddone ~ Super Bowl viewership: 103.4 million viewers vs JCSS viewership: 9.4 million viewers. Advertisers willing to make special commercials for that rate of return AND so much of the Super Bowl is about the commercials and that took 40 years to develop into a thing.
There ARE commercials during the Super Bowl at times other than half time. Plenty of them.
Really enjoyed it – watched it last night on DVR (so got to skip commercials! 
)
JCS is one of my very favorite musicals, and this performance did not disappoint.
I thought Alice Cooper was a little too restrained, but he’s no spring chicken. The only singer I didn’t care for was the guy who played Simon Zealot … however, I wonder if he had trouble hearing himself.
I would love to see Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, though it probably is not PC any more. Though I love the music “I enjoy being a girl.” No one could outdo the beautiful and talented and legendary, Nancy Kwan, however.
Ok – what other musicals should be done for live on TV? JCS was generally well received by critics, but the ratings were mediocre. Rent was huge on Broadway in the late 1990s, but I think it’s doubtful it will draw big ratings live on TV? Since the Sound of Music, ratings have trended downward. I can see West Side Story live drawing good ratings, but that might not be available if Spielberg is remaking the movie? How many “big” Broadway musicals are well known outside of New York City? Hamilton and Wicked are both still going strong on Broadway. Singing in the Rain? Fiddler on the Roof?
South Pacific, Oklahoma, and I’d love to see Rent
@alwaysamom You wrote “I adore John Legend’s voice but his acting skills are nonexistent” I disagree with you. In fact I was pleasantly surprised with his natural untrained acting ability considering he is a recording artist, singer, songwriter, musician. I found it refreshing and real. Also I loved the messiness and chaos in the choreography. Camille A. Brown is not a typical Broadway musical choreographer. I found the movement to be refreshing and real.
I would like to see televised versions of West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Yentl.
“Mary Poppins” would be a good one. Family friendly and name recognition.
I loved the choreography too - even while watching I kept thinking - “I just love this ensemble, and this choreo!” The whole show had me though right from the top with the fierce female electric string quartet… I agree the John was the weakest link - but as others have said - JCS wouldn’t have happened without his considerable clout/money behind it (he was executive producer) and since I got to watch BVD absolutely slay the role of Judas, I’ll give John a pass. Overall, I really enjoyed it!
Just finished watching this. It was incredible and moved me to tears. Will have to catch the tour if it comes anywhere near me next year!