Ted makes the point of the influence Tim Rice has had on this and other productions. "For years, people would see, "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, and while Andrew certainly writes amazing songs, it is Tim Rice's brilliant talent that puts the lyrics on paper and makes it so easy and accessible to anyone who listens to the music. What a beautiful marriage of lyric and musical content."
Pati Buehler: Having opened this discussion up to our readers at BroadwayWorld.com, most wanted your input about the show and its evolution through time. However, a few readers asked specific questions about other topics. Dianna comments: "I worked with Teddy in a show called Rasputin, an amazing project. Please ask him where that stands?
Ted Neeley: (laughing) That's just wonderful! Rasputin is "standing in the wings" as they say. We had literally booked the Rasputin tour, when this particular tour of Superstar came back and literally replaced the Rasputin dates. Here's why. I love Rasputin and would love to see it out there. However, when they called me in to do Superstar one more time, you know I can't say no to this, Pati. But now when Superstar finishes its run, the next project will be Rasputin. Dianna's got to be from the Delaware area because that's where we did Rasputin. Please give her my regards and tell her we'll be coming back to her area".
PB: Another reader asks, "Will the benefit show you did with Ben Vereen release a DVD or CD?"
TN: Oh, we surely hope so. We planned for that and are working for the rights to make that happen. It was a wonderful piece we did in August last year in LA. Not only was Ben there, also Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen, a one nighter fundraiser for a California group called the Youth Theater. A group that Carl (Anderson) and I had the pleasure of developing back in Santa Barbara CA. This has been a great active organization since 1976. One of the graduates of this group was Jack Black. So I called Jack and asked him to play Herod to which he quickly replied, "I was born to play Herod." "So there was our cast. We had put an ad in the LA Times asking anyone who's ever done Superstar to come on out. We had enough people to cast 12 productions. (laughing) So yes, we are hoping to negotiate the rights and put this out for the public."
Ted Neeley has an extensive list of Theater/Film/Television/Record credits. Here is a partial list. Theater: Claude in Hair, 1969; Reporter/Leper/Jesus understudy, 1971, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar in numerous stage productions and concerts from 1972 to current date which include the Farewell (National) Tour into 2008 open end run. Ted also played Tommy in the musical Tommy, national concert/tour LA, 1973, Curly in Of Mice and Men, 1981 and Lucky in Waiting For Godot, 2004
Vocals include: Guest with Ray Charles, 1976, Meat Loaf, 1981, 1983, as well as vocal arrangements with Tina Tuner-Acid Queen, 1975. Composer/vocals include: "Highway To Heaven", 1984-89, "Blame it on the Night", 1984. Television credits include: "Starsky & Hutch", 1979, Riptide in 1985 and many more.
Ted's upcoming projects include a release of a new album of his own material. While country music is in his Texan blood, Ted proudly admits he's a rocker. "Nothing makes me happier than sitting in front of a set of drums and screaming out a few songs like I used to do," he laughs. Eagles, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young are his forte. "So if folks want to call it country, then that's what it is. I will be thrilled if people buy it and enjoy it. It will be out in the Fall."
Ted shares some thought about his friends.
Danny Zolli: "For me to say that Danny is brilliant is pretty much no big whoop because everybody who sees and hears him feels this way. He's magnificent! I had no idea there was so much talent bubbling under that little face (laughing). Not only was he one of the most amazing performers to play Annas, Judas and Jesus, but he has got a great edge on contemporary music, a stellar performer and wonderful human being."
Carl Anderson: "This is the first time I've ever done this without Carl being along with us. This is still a very emotional time for all of us. Carl was going to be here doing this with us, but once he took ill, well it's still very hard dealing with the fact that he is not with us, physically, but his spirit is with us here always. He is well loved by everyone. It is in his honor that we do this tour."
Corey Glover (Judas): "After Carl had gone, they looked for 18 months finding wonderful singers that just couldn't deliver the intensity for the role and some magnificent actors that just couldn't hit the notes. We were ready to toss in the towel then Corey appears. We all knew him from his band Living Colour and knew he had a great voice. We didn't know he was interested in making the transition to theater. He's fallen into place nicely, starting to feel comfortable, having to face that whole legacy of stepping into Carl's shoes. Corey is paying tribute to Carl in his own right without doing an impersonation. He's made the character his own and everywhere we go people love him."
PB: Ted, you obviously have many wonderful experiences. I interview a lot of people and I am so impressed by your positive attitude and kind words towards those you work with and those who support your work.
TN: (Laughing) Pati, we could sit here for five days talking and would only scratch the surface for as long as I've been doing this. But you know we are all regular human beings. We just happen to be out there in a world where publicity makes us seem different. I'm just out here paying the rent. To me the most important thing is meeting people, communicating. After a show, I will stay and talk with people until the theater is turning out the lights on me.
PB: That's a wonderful quality and I'm sure the folks you spend time with will not forget you anytime soon. I know I won't. Thank you so much for taking this time to share part of your world.
Review of " Jesus Christ Superstar" Farewell Tour with Ted Neeley: click here
broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=18139
Visit Ted's website: www.neeleyontheroad.com
Photo #1 - Ted Neeley headshot; photo #2 - Ted Neeley as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar film; photo #3 - Ted Neeley with Carl Anderson in Jesus Christ Superstar film; photo #4 - Danny Zolli
