A rock opera that transcends time

The power of rock music, spirituality as revolution of the soul, the charisma of a character so beloved that he became a myth worldwide: Jesus Christ Superstar, the musical directed by Massimo Romeo Piparo in its original English-language version by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, comes back to the stage of Teatro Sistina this Easter, starting on 17 April. And with the holy Jubilee in full swing, this is a very special year for show! Perfectly combining rock music from the 1970s, musical theater tradition, and a history of universal values, Jesus Christ Superstar has become the most beloved rock opera ever. Here are some numbers to describe Massimo Romeo Piparo’s English-language production: 31 years of success, more than 1,600 performances, over 2.5 million spectators in Italy and Europe, and 190 artists featured in the various roles: among others, the cast includes Carl Anderson, Barry Dennen, and Yvonne Elliman (starring as Judas, Pilate, and Mary Magdalene respectively in the Universal Pictures movie) and many Italian pop and rock stars. And above all, the one and only Ted Neely, the Jesus from the movie, who has starred in the show between 2014 and 2023. The spectacular set, which includes a live, on-stage orchestra and has honored Italy on many international stages, is proof of the show’s first class quality. This is also confirmed by the many sold-out performances and the countless standing ovations that have characterized this production for all these years. In 2016, the show also received the MusicalWorld Award, one of the most important and coveted international awards for musical theater, which rewarded Massimo Romeo Piparo’s work as the best international production in Holland in 2016.

April 17–27. ilsistina.it