Female Judas rocks in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' concert

Cha Ji-yeon, center, performs during a concert version of the rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of Blue Stage

By Kwon Mee-yoo

“Jesus Christ Superstar” (JCS) is one of the few musicals that has maintained a cult following for over 50 years. A concert version of “JCS” revived the pulsing rock-music-fuelled story of Jesus to entertain Seoul last weekend amid the COVID-19 outbreak. For the first time in Korea, a female Judas belted out explosive rock songs, betrayed Jesus and suffered from the decision.

The 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber has been staged around the world for decades, sometimes with unconventional approaches.

Lloyd Webber ― arguably the world's most famous theater composer ― and lyricist Tim Rice were young and nameless when they created "JCS". They not only brought rock 'n' roll music to musical theater, but also introduced a new take on the biblical tale by telling the story from Judas Iscariot's point of view.

"JCS" is set in the last week of Jesus' life, leading up to his crucifixion. In this musical adaptation, Jesus is interpreted as a radical revolutionary and popular star of the times. In the tale, Jesus is not just a saint figure, but also has a human side, which shows fear and anger as he struggles to accept his destiny of becoming a martyr. He shouts out his agony and raises his fist to God, asking why he has to die in "Gethsemane," with its famous high-G note.

Instead of playing to Judas' traditional character as history's most famous traitor, Lloyd Webber and Rice focused on describing his (now her) conflict with Jesus, and his inner turmoil as he chooses to betray Jesus' plan. In “JCS,” Judas is not someone who is blinded by fortune and 'sells' Jesus, but rather a complex revolutionary who goes his own way.

The original production was originally banned by the BBC for being 'sacrilegious', but has now been successfully staged for five decades and subject to various interpretations played out in traditional, contemporary or fictional settings.

Michael K. Lee performs during a concert version of the rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of Blue Stage

In Korea, "JCS" premiered in 1980, and several revival productions were subsequently staged. Last weekend's concert musical was based on the most recent 2013 and 2015 versions directed by Lee Gi-na.

The most notable aspect of the new Korean production is that Jung Jae-il of "Parasite" fame arranged the music, bringing the raw energy of rock 'n' roll to the show, combined with different genres such as classical music and R&B.

Performing over three days at LG Arts Center, Michael K. Lee, a Korean-American actor who moved from Broadway to Korea, reprised his role of Jesus following the 2013 and 2015 productions.

Four actors played Judas opposite Lee in each show ― Han Ji-sang and Yoon Hyoeng-lyeol who played the role in the 2015 production, Park Kang-hyun of “The Man Who Laughs” and Cha Ji-yeon, as the female Judas.

“JCS” is open to interpretation, and many women have played the role of Jesus or Judases overseas. There has even been a critically acclaimed, all-female version of the show. In Korea, actress Kim Young-ju took the role of the flamboyant King Herod in the 2015 production, but this year marks the first time for a woman to play the iconic role of Judas here.

Cha was diagnosed with thyroid issues last April and took a break from her prolific career. This role in JCS marks her official return to the stage. While the pressure of playing such an emblematic and sought-after role must have been intense, Cha successfully portrayed Judas and his deep-rooted, complicated feelings towards Jesus.

Wearing a shiny black trench coat and swinging her signature long hair, Cha overwhelms the theater the moment she begins the show's first song "Heaven on Their Minds." She trembles with pain as Judas sells Jesus in exchange for thirty pieces of silver, believing that arresting Jesus will stop his “extremist plan”.

Her portrayal of Judas' soft heart contrasts with the righteous character of Lee's Jesus, making Judas' fall all the more dramatic.

Blue Stage, the production company of the “JCS” concert, plans to continue the musical series with “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" scheduled for April.