Sound Ops Delivers Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ted Neely, and Some Rockin’ Pharisees! Thursday, December 3, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m. Join Sound Opinions co-hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot for a special pre-holiday screening of the classic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. Jesus Christ Superstar is the 1973 film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera. Here are a couple of things you may not have known about this film version of the concept album turned into a Tony Award winning Broadway musical based on a chapter of the oldest book in the library: *‚  The rock opera was first heard as an album. On the original album, the part of Jesus was sung by Ian Gillan, the lead singer of Deep Purple who later also worked with Black Sabbath, and that of Judas by Murray Head. *‚  Ted Neely was originally cast as an understudy for the role of Jesus.‚  Neely also created the title role in The Who’s rock opera Tommy. *‚  A cover of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” recorded by singer Helen Reddy, ascended to the top 15 on the U.S. pop singles charts in early 1971. *‚  In the spirit of the time, my mother actually named me “Coupe DeVille Hall” until my great aunt tore up the birth certificate and named me after my uncle.‚  I’m convinced that if I had kept the hippie name my mom gave me, Jesus Christ Superstar would be my own personal version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and I would show up dressed as Ben Vereen at screenings across the nation.‚  I look great in a white jumpsuit… Get tickets to this special night here.