The Wildcat Players had plans to produce the world famous rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar in the spring. A few people have advised me against this decision, insisting that this play is offensive and sacreligious. I was in this play in college, played Pontius Pilate, and really enjoyed the experience. I had no intentions of creating a sacreligious play. Almost everyone who is opposed to the idea doesn't know the show or the music and is basing their opinion on hearsay. What do you think? Should we NOT produce this play? Is it too offensive for the Woodmont community?Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Is This Offensive?
The Wildcat Players had plans to produce the world famous rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar in the spring. A few people have advised me against this decision, insisting that this play is offensive and sacreligious. I was in this play in college, played Pontius Pilate, and really enjoyed the experience. I had no intentions of creating a sacreligious play. Almost everyone who is opposed to the idea doesn't know the show or the music and is basing their opinion on hearsay. What do you think? Should we NOT produce this play? Is it too offensive for the Woodmont community?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
22 comments:
I don't think it's that bad, though I'm not the most religious person. But I've listened to it so many times now that I have a hard time finding anything wrong with it. The guitar in some parts over-powers the lyrics, which is great. Your idea of doing a rock show would be pretty easy if we did this. I'm all for it, even though others may not be.
-Chad
I myself have saw the original movie countless times have the soundtrack on my ipod and listen to them alot, read the entire script online, read reviews, count up everything and theres nothing I can find wrong with or against Christians other than telling the story of Jesus Christ. Only its told from a Jewish perspective which at the time they were all Jewish so I see nothing wrong with that. The bad thing is people in present time can't see past their own face anymore and can't walk a mile in someone else's shoes, so they only know what they think and think what they know is fact which in turn is only an opinion. I would have loved to go out for the part of Judas being the story he told wasn't one of a full betrayer but of a concerned friend thinking he was doing Jesus right by turning him in not knowing that he damned him. But in my perspective theres nothing wrong with JCS and i'm sorta dissapointed in what other people have said, they need to actually watch, and listen to JCS to actually understand whats happening not what they have been told. But either way I will be happy with what ever we do in the spring time since now i'm a theatre addict.
Ah, John..you are wise beyond your years my friend! LOTS of people don't seem to realize, exactly what you said, this story is NOT told from Jesus' eyes, but from those AROUND him who just couldn't quite figure out "who" or "what" he was. My husband isn't a big fan of the show, but he didn't see Ted Neely as Jesus. But, we'll just have to educate the community a little at the time.
I honestly am almost heart broken that we will not be able to produce this show. I've been a Christian my whole life, and as the director I had no intention of making this glorious rock opera into anything to be viewed as offensive. I've had a personal relationship with Jesus since I accepted him as my savior when I was 4 years old. I remember it clearly. I think that as our community grows and is exposed to more of our drama productions and other cultural experiences, people will become a little more open minded about this. I am not cancelling this show, but rather postponing it until our community is ready for it. In the mean time, we'll continue educating, inspiring, and broadening the horizons of our youth through live theatre.
Maybe some find it offensive because this play is written in the eyes of Judas, a critic of Jesus's godliness.
Personally, I enjoyed seeing the play at the Peace Center last year. Andrew Lloyd Weber's music was cool and I would have loved seeing a musical at WHS.
I find it most noble that Mr. Ragland has listened to the community and honors their wish to cancel this show.
Keep up the wonderful work! I'm so proud of the Wildcat Players!
A.Jenkins
Really? This is very sad that you have to "postpone" this show. Not only is this show one of the most well known musicals around, but it was highly successful in it's various runs on Broadway and around the world. High Schools across the country do this show on a yearly basis. I understand the controversy about anti-semitic sentiments and judas being portrayed as "too sympathetic", but it's a work of art. Are we to condemn something that has brought joy to millions? By doing a show like JCS, would the performers somehow take thier performance as gospel?
And...since the pundits have put pressure on you for "Jesus Christ Superstar", I think you should do a straight play, instead....
"The Last Days of Judas Iscariot."
By, Stephen Adly Guirgis
I definitely like anonymous' comments about other high schools doing the show and its success on Broadway and around the world. Perhaps this should be brought up to those here that don't quite understand that not everyone thinks the way that they do and yet still share the same religious beliefs. Just a thought. Please, Mr. Ragland???? :)
-Chad
Chad, sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war! We're still a young drama dept here at Woodmont. It's ok if we take a little time to prove ourselves to the commumity. They are our patrons and we depend on their support. I know, that means you won't get to be on stage with JCS, but you will be part of the group that led the way there. Moses didn't get to enter the Promised Land, but he did LEAD them to it.
Chad, you've got a good 40 years to do this show (maybe several times). Heck, we might even work on it together again. You know I wanted to make this happen, but now is just not the time. Peter Pan will be so much fun. You know it!
So, Mr. R, you got the Pan set designed yet?! LOL! I know, it's all "in your head!"
I'm glad I found your web site. This play is an abomination and should not be presented to anyone, anywhere - much less a group of impressionable high school students. "It happens that we DON'T SEE CHRIST AS GOD but simply the right man at the right time at the right place." So said Tim Rice as quoted in Time, November 9, 1970, page 47. That says it all for me.
Concerned Piedmont resident, have you watched this play? Art lives beyond the artist and often takes on new lives in new forms. A play can become a vehicle of a director's interpretation. No matter what Tim Rice believed when he wrote it over 30 years ago, what matters in the end is HOW we would have produced it, and for what reason. Did you know that this play has been performed at First Baptist Church and Trinity Lutheran in Greenville? Did you know that many organizations have used this play to bring young groups of "impressionable high school students" to Christ? Please don't be so quick to judge something you may not be fully knowledgeable about. When we produce this play in about 5 years, I'll be happy to sit down and talk with you about our own unique production. I promise you it will not be an "abomination".
Well said, Mr. Ragland.
The thing is this play does not directly show the truth of the Bible. Yes it is from the eyes of Judas but there still things that are not accurate. Things like the whole thought of Mary Magdalene in the play. Untill you can justifly every word of this play from the Bible I and many other true divoted Chirtians will never uphold this play. We, in fact, believe a lot in prayer and prey that it will never happen. Thats just how it is. We can see past our own eyes it is the conceded people (almost every wildcat player) that can't see into other peoples lifes. They can't see how things can hurt others and they can't even see how they hurt others every day. If I would ever have to choose something that could affect others I would never, never, choose something that would possibly hurt someone. And Ragland, how could this play ever bring someone to Christ? It shows him as a man and nothing more when he is both man and God. Also just because a church puts it on does not make it right. Many churches don't preach the word of God in the first place so how could you justify something with that?
Dear Anonymous,
First of all, I'd appreciate it if you would identify yourself. You've called me by my name. What is yours? Secondly, I find your comment to be accusatory. I will, however, respond to your concerns. Unfortunately, the Bible has been misinterpreted by us humans since it was written. We have used it to justify our selfish wants and hypocrisies. What you interpret as truth could be different from what others interpret as truth. As humans, we are not perfect. It is interesting that you are upset with the inclusion of Mary Magdalene in this play. Is that because she was a woman or because she had sinned? Jesus healed Mary Magdalene and appeared to her first after his resurrection. Don't you think Jesus loved her just as much as you or me? You describe yourself as a "divoted Chirtian". Did you mean devoted Christian? Does that mean that you follow Christ's commandments? Do you remember that the greatest of his commandments is love? When you accuse your peers and judge them, are you loving your neighbor as yourself? You have accused "almost every wildcat player" of being "conceded". I think you were trying to say conceited. You have also accused my students as "hurt[ing] others every day". Can you back up these accusations, or are they unfounded? It seems that you are holding anger and perhaps jealousy towards your peers. You've stated that you believe in prayer and you "prey" that we will never produce this play. To "prey" means to seize, devour, attack, or to exert a harmful or destructive influence. I'm assuming that this isn't your intented course of action against our drama department. You've also accused other churches of not preaching the word of God. I previously referenced First Baptist and Trinity Lutheran in Greenville. Are you saying that these churches don't preach the word of God? Are you morally superior to these congregations? It seems that any play that we would produce about the life of Jesus would draw some amount of criticism from a few "divoted Chirtians". If one of your goals is to bring people to Christ (including your peers) you might consider being more Christ-like. You might consider loving your peers and PRAYing for them. Also, if you want to be taken seriously, you might consider mastering the English language. I hope I've adequatedly addressed your concerns. If you'd like to talk with me about this in person at school, I'd be glad to. It really would be more beneficial than posting anonymous comments, don't you think?
anonymous, anonymous, anonymous... Have you seen this movie/play? I seriously doubt that you have. The question that arises is not whether you have seen it or not, but what I really want to know is; why are you still marinating on a dead subject? We are not doing JCS anymore. At all. So why continue to comment on a blog dating back to last year? It's a dead issue. The whole, not telling who you are? A slight bit childish, I must say. If you are going to try to tear us down, as Ragland said before me, please, make yourself known. We are all adults here, and I believe we are capable of acting like such. My third issue: I am a true, god-fearing christian (is what you meant to spell). I go to church and am a very active member in my home church. If this play was even the slightest bit offensive, I would happily take another side. But, here's the thing. Are you ready? You see, it's not. It just isn't. I pray (also what you meant to spell) that if you are as devoted (you meant that word too) as you imply that you are, you could give the film a chance. Yes, Jesus was portrayed as a man. But the question I pose to you is; wasn't he? The bible refers to him countless times as the Son of Man, does it not? Next: the Mary Magdalene thing. I don't think you mentioned that because she was a woman, but simply because of the fact that she sinned and Jesus loved her anyway. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Which means that we, as humans are forgiven. If God can forgive us, why couldn't Mary have the same? Because she was permiscuous? Jesus healed her, as he did countless people then and today. So what's the issue there? Also: I've noticed that people start to complain once we decide to include Jesus. Yet, no one, and I mean noone said anything about Macbeth. Witchcraft, interracial marriage, war. Last: You say that some churches don't preach the word of God. While you may be correct, I do believe it's time for you to look past what you are used to. The world is changing. People praise God in many different ways. I, for one, use hip hop music to bring young people to Christ. Look, you've never seen the play or the movie, I truly think that jumping to conclusions is not the thing to do. Come on, we're bigger than that. Give the play a chance and I'm sure that you will see that it's not as bad as it seems.
Mr. Ragland, once again my friend, a well spoken response.
We are not trying to offend anyone its just a play. If we were so conceited im sure we could find something alot worse than jesus christ superstar to put on. The only thing the wildcat players are doing is trying to bring some good theatre to our school and all those part of it. Our intensions were never to offend anyone.
Dear Anonymous,
Where to start is my question? My first intentions were to say alot of things that you have wronged, which my first idea was to say some choice things to you which weren't what someone would have considered "nice" but well I've learned that is not how to deal with it no matter how angry you are with someone. And you know what? I'll be better than that. My thing is before you can cast judgement on this play you must first see it, which clearly to me you haven't. And far as me and my friends being "conceded" I guess you really don't know us and you really don't know me. Actually I have sorta a low-self esteem problem but besides that. And I really don't think I've hurt anyone and if I have i'm sorry, but to my knowledge me and my friends haven't hurt anyone by doing any play yet, so i'm guessing your wrong. So some advice to you friend, before you start to criticize someone or something I think it would be in your best interest to first get to know them. And getting to know you would be "great" too, now if only you wouldn't hide and throw sticks and stones at us. And lastly don't bring up a subject that has been dead since last year.
(Here's my two cents, for what it's worth...) If you believe what the Bible says, Jesus WAS a human flesh man, yet IS Holy God. That is hard to comprehend. I am a Christian, have been a Sunday School teacher, as have been many in my family. I first heard a recording of JCS that my sister got in 1969. The songs made Jesus seem "cool" and the other characters seem "comical." While the characters (Ciaphus,and Pilate)did mock Jesus, as they did in the Bible,I did not think that JCS mocked Jesus himself. The big shock back then was that it was "ROCK" music. How much "Christian rock" music is played today, even in church--it would never have been allowed back then. (Scandalous!)
The character of Mary Magdalene said in JCS, "I am confused. How am I supposed to love Him?" Many people have a problem with this and think it is blasphemous, but they don't realize that if Jesus lived among us today, we would ask this same question...(Do I love Him like a brother, a friend, a man, a God?)
Mr. Ragland, I thought I heard you say that you were considering adding an "empty tomb scene" and I thought, "Way to go Mr. Ragland!"
This could have been an opportunity to bring a resurrected Christ to people who might never feel comfortable (or maybe even welcome) in a church, because of the way they look, or the mistakes they've made. But they may come see a play. It might have caused them to be curious and want to have a further knowledge of Jesus. Isn't that what we as Christians want,to cause others to be curious about Christ? We worship differently, yet only God can judge the worthiness of our worship. In Jesus' day, the Pharisees thought that their traditions and practices were the only way to please God, and Jesus leveled most of His critisizm on their self rightousness attitudes.
Many of them could not accept the carpenter's kid from down the road as being "the Messiah" and THEY called Jesus "blasphemous." Hey, wasn't that their justification in mocking, beating, and crucifying Jesus? They could not accept Jesus' "New Covenant."
Dear Anonymous, just like Woodmont's productions of THE JUNGLE BOOK and MACBETH were so different from anything I could have ever imagined--JCS would have been another one of Will Ragland's unique visions. Their 1st two plays both taught moral lessons. I believe Mr. Ragland when he said that JCS would not have been sacriligious. He wanted to involve local churches and gospel choirs...
The only people that I've heard against JCS have said that they refuse to see it, as if it will hurt their faith, or their witness, or would displease God. I wonder if they know that the Bible says that it displeases God for us to feel we have the right to judge others? And judging what we don't know anything about is very much like what the Pharisees did to Jesus.
It is humbling to consider that our sin makes us ALL equal in God's Holy eyes, but He loves us anyway. Good luck Mr. Ragland, and the Wildcat players. You've done a great job so far, can't wait to see what's next, and I'll be glad to help you.
Beth King
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Post a Comment