What is the summary of Jesus Christ superstar?

Answer 1

Hi, there!! JCS is about the last week of Jesus Christ's life, starting as the Apostles arrive in Jerusalem in an RV (beware: there are a lot of anachronisms here...!) and ending with the crucifixion.

Judas Iscariot, the favorite apostle of Jesus, questions whether Jesus has lost sight of their mission: the start of a new religion. He is worried because both the public and the other disciples fail to see the inconsistencies in Jesus's message, and they never even bothered to question whether or not Jesus is truly the son of God.

Much like Judas, the Jewish sect known as the Pharisees express fear for Jesus' growing popularity and come to the conclusion that the only solution is to kill him for the sake of the nation.

The last straw for Judas occurs when he sees Jesus accept material possessions that could have been for the poor. Although regretful and conflicted, Judas runs to Caiaphas, leader of the Pharisees, providing excuses for his betrayal and telling him that he can find Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and turn him in for execution.

As the Apostles gather for the Last Supper, Jesus realizes that Judas has betrayed him, leading to a bitter confrontation between the two men. Judas accuses Jesus of making "out ideals die around us" and an enraged Jesus orders Judas to go, forever.

Now alone, Jesus goes to the garden of Gethsemane, and angrily asks God to "show me there's a reason for you wanting me to die!" Yet eventually, Jesus is resigned to his fate and welcomes his death for God with open arms. Judas arrives and betrays Jesus with the infamous kiss on the cheek.

The Apostles sans Judas question if they could start again. Jesus is carted back and fourth between the Roman, Pontius Pilate and King Herod, eventually brought back to Pilate and sentenced to 39 lashes.

Meanwhile, Judas is horrified at the realization that his betrayal of Jesus was his life's purpose and was indeed part of a divine plan. No longer trying to justify his actions, a truly heartbroken Judas runs alone in the desert, telling God that he has "murdered me!" and hangs himself from a tree.

As Jesus starts to fade, the Spirit of Judas ascends from heaven, clad in a white disco suit and accompanied by "soul girl" Angels. He questions whether or not Jesus was the chosen one, why he arrived on earth in the manner and at the time that he did, and what kind of man he really is.

Jesus is crucified, and the Apostles slowly and sadly get back on RV they arrived to Jerusalem in. In the last few seconds, we see what is presumably the spirit of Judas getting back on the bus, looking sadly out as the sun sets.

I hope this is helpful!! JCS is the most moving musical I've ever seen, and the music itself is fantastic. Enjoy!! :)