More than a year after its last live musical, NBC's staging of
'Jesus Christ Superstar' on Easter Sunday earned solid ratings —
averaging 9.4 million viewers and a 1.7 rating among adults 18-49.
Those numbers put it ahead of all other original telecasts
for the night — including CBS' '60 Minutes' and ABC's 'American Idol.'
Compared with NBC's last live production, 'Hairspray,' which aired in December 2016,
the show was essentially flat among viewers, though it didn't fare as well in the key demo.
Hairspray ultimately brought in 9 million viewers, and a 2.3 rating among adults 18-49,
previously ranking last among contemporary TV musical stagings.
NBC did much better in 2013 and 2015 — with 'The Sound of Music'
and 'The Wiz,' respectively, and nothing has
ever approached 'The Sound of Music''s 18.6 million viewers.
In his review of 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' THR's David Rooney praises
NBC's update of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1970 rock opera,
with John Legend playing Jesus. Rooney writes: "This was a phenomenally
balanced production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' in which star power was
equaled by depth of feeling and characterization in all the principals.
And the immediacy of television, with close-ups capable of bringing us
in tight on the performers' faces, gave Jesus and Mary Magdalene
a complexity that often is missing from conventional productions."
Rooney also applauds the casting of Judas in the show, noting that:
"While John Legend's gentle charisma and honeyed pipes made him an affecting Jesus,
and Sara Bareilles' soulful way with a song proved a superb fit for Mary,
enlisting Brandon Victor Dixon — last seen on Broadway as
Aaron Burr in 'Hamilton' — was the crucial piece of casting."
Rooney's admiration for Dixon's portrayal of Judas doesn't stop there, as he also says:
"If the presentation of a tortured Judas hanging himself didn't quite generate
the required emotional impact onscreen at home, Dixon seized the stage
as if literally reborn with his powerhouse take on "Superstar,"
aided by a trio of sizzling backup dancer-vocalists."
And our critic wasn't the only one making his appreciation known —
Chrissy Teigen live-tweeted throughout her husband John Legend's performance,
giving a special shoutout to Sara Bareilles who was playing Mary Magdalene.
"Sara's voice is so pure. She makes singing seem so easy," tweeted Teigen.
Teigen also took a moment to crucify Bill O'Reilly who didn't seem to be
as much of a fan of the show. O'Reilly, who reportedly paid a $32 million
settlement to a former colleague who accused him of sexual harassment, tweeted:
"Watching JC Superstar on NBC. Who knew Jesus of Nazareth ran a tattoo parlor? Geez."
Teigen's retort? "Yes the shop specializes in coverups that aren't 32 million dollars."
To read more on NBC's live broadcast of 'Jesus Christ Superstar,'
including David Rooney's full review, head to THR.com.
And tell us, were you watching the show on Sunday night?
What did you think of the production and who gave your favorite performance?
Let us know in the comments.
For The Hollywood Reporter News, I'm Lyndsey Rodrigues.
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