New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’: Star Ted Neeley on hand for sing-along screening
Yes, it’s true. Jesus Christ is coming to Danbury.
Well, not that Christ, but Ted Neeley — the actor, singer and musician who played him in the 1973 movie, “Jesus Christ Superstar” — will be at the Palace on Friday, June 22, for a screening of the film’s singalong version.
Forty-five years after the movie’s release, Neeley is still touring the globe in the role that turned out to be a real life-changer. Not only does he get to wear a robe to work, he gets to meet generations of fans.
“I love talking to people,” Neeley said during a phone chat in which he shared the story of a very pregnant woman who approached him years ago after a live performance of “Superstar.” She was in a crowd with her husband when Neeley noticed “she was staring at me with a big smile on her
face.”
As she got closer he saw tears rolling down her cheeks. She said, “Mr. Neeley, will you bless my child?” “I’m thinking she’s got to be joking,” he said, “but she reached up and took my hand and put my hand on her tummy.” The baby kicked at that moment and it was a magical.
Years later, in Milan,
Italy, Neeley was talking to fans after another “Superstar” show when a lady approached and said, “You
probably don’t remember me, but...” Yes, it was that same woman, and she introduced her daughter, and they have remained friends.
“I’m amazed that that happened and at the way people connect with this movie, and how it connects people to each other,” Neeley said. “No matter what your beliefs are ... no matter if you are agnostic ... everyone has a special place in their heart for this movie and its wonderful songs.”
Neeley was 28 when he starred in the film. He and his wife reside in California when he’s not on tour with the stage show. “We have a tiny Yorkie who travels with us; my wife carries her in a bag and no one knows she’s there. She’s been with us for 10 years. She’s queen of the road, captain of the ship.”
In August, Neeley returns to Europe to finish a tour that goes through 2019. We suggested Christ probably didn’t take much when he traveled, and asked if it’s the same for Neeley. He laughed and said, “I do take an extra pair of sandals, just in case . ... We travel as light as we can. I’ve been on the road all my life.”
“Jesus Christ Superstar,” the film, was directed by Norman Jewison, who won an Academy Award for “Fiddler on the Roof.” It tells of the final days in the life of Christ, through the eyes of his friend Judas Iscariot, who felt Christ and his fellow apostles had lost sight of their mission.
During his Danbury stop, Neeley will talk all about how the movie came to be. He’ll also reunite with two good friends, both of whom are fellow actors from the movie and will join him for a meet-and-greet. They are Bob Bingham, (Caiaphas) and Kurt Yaghjian (Annas).
“This film created a family of people who have been friends ever since,” he said.