V
dailu n
. .
'Superstar'
musically
lacking
Review By Greg Lukow
Cecil B. DeMille would have been
amazed to say the least Jesus Christ
Superstar is the latest extension of the
rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber
and Tim Rice. And the Passion Play on
film has come a long way since Cecil
dabbled with the story so many years
ago.
Pouring out of a bus in the middle
of the desert, the hippie Jesus and his
youthful band of followers beain to
umoaa a nodgepodge of Biblical props
and contemporary gimmicks. Director
Norman Jewison, who also directed
(Fiddler on the Roof), then turns
them loose and like high-schoolers
making home movies, they romp
recklessly through the opera with a
limitless enthusiasm. It must have been
the easiest thing Jewison has ever
directed.
Tanks and jet planes chasing a black
Judas across the desert, postcards and
pot being sold at a temple bazaar, and
King Herod's marvelously clever
ragtime routine (featuring Joshua
Monstel, Zero's son) certainly add a
new flair to the film but ultimately
they become a cop-out. While adding
visual interest, they contribute little to
a story with far greater substance. In
the end, I believe they have detracted
from the only intelligent and
meaningful elements on the film the
words and music of Rice and Weber.
Listening to the original recording
of the opera, one got a feeling of the
emotions and strains on the characters.
By stripping away the myth from the
man, and making Christ an adored,
misunderstood and unobtainable
superstar, Rice's lyrics were a
challenging and thought-provoking
work.
But unfortunately, too much of
this is lost in the film. Prancing Israeli
longhairs just do not make it as
disciples of Christ Much of the
grasping search for understanding
between Christ and his followers is
gone, even though Jewison has
managed to maintain the puzzling
relationship between Judas and Jesus,
Jesus and Mary Magdalene and finally
between Christ and Father.
But the sharp edge of the meaning
behind Superstar has dulled in the
three years since the opera was
released. The film is an exciting visual
addition to its fans. To those
unfamiliar with it and who question its
religious professions, it may ire you a
bit, but I doubt very much if it will
shake your spiritual foundations.
See it, enjoy it if you can, but don't
give it any more thought than you did
three years ago.
OPEN EVENINGS.
3C0KD5 & TAPES GIFT & ff AD"5t10P5.''"
PQ5TEH5.Z7 Mil -475-5412
"
Fryc Boots
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.IJM.LMJJIIJ..., -ii-'-Hll 'J "-I" "'Ullllll IIIIJM JUNIUS
UULuO
NOT HARDLY! Last spring as
students left Lincoln, they left
behind the image of a closing
Gepctto's. This fall they discovered
Gepctto's thriving again under new
management featuring a complete
line of upper body wear.
Pictured here is their bike jacket
available in cither goat or reversed
and nude cowhide. Gepctto's also
carries custom purses, belts, and
watchbands. We're still here -don't
forget us.
9:30 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.
Monday Friday
9:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Saturday
235 North 11th Street
435-4690
FASHION SHOW TONIGHT r
The Daisy and Backstage Ltd.
proudly present
FALL FASHIONS
9:00 p.m. and at 11:00 p.m.
August 30 at the
12th Street Garage
Featuring music by our own D. J.
and Charlie's famous 'Axle Grease Punch' .
40c the Glass
Draws 10(
7 p.m.-lO p.m.
Thursday Saturday
Glass Menagerie
12th & 'Q'
w8COCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOKS
What speakers would you like to hear-live and in livino
color-here in your own Union this year?
Want to have a say in the selection? And a chance to meet and
talk to the rrjeakers informally? And an opportunityto aairt
experience in publicity work? uppuriunriy to gain
Join the NEBRASKA UNION TALKS & TOPICS COIVMTTEEI
gsztsssrMg 432,926 " Pro"m "
ESP
UFO'S
HYPNOSIS
ASTROLOGY
MEDITATION
BIOFEED BACK
PARA PSYCHOLOGY
Are you interested in learning more and helping tune others in to
the vast realm of largely untapped HUMAN POTENTIALITY?
Are you interested in gaining experience as a Pub icfty
Chairperson or worker? UUMWiy
The Nebraska Union Talks & Topics Committee needs members
Hh V?,VW$'tV community-students or staff-to help organize
and publicize a series of programs this fall and plan Tire
programs for next spring on HUMAN POTENTIALS.
Contact Talks & Topics Chairperson Joan Pfeil at 432-1926 or
Program Advisor, Suzanne Brown, in Union 1 1 5 (472 2454)
soon as possible. i'jifwB
f
paye 14
daily nebraskan
thursday, august 30, 1973