Theatre & Pumpkins

And listen to Fred (fuckin) Johanson sing, Be Prepared in Swedish for the Lion King remake

Well... not intentionally

Recently the press have released first look and concepts of NBC’s next Live special Jesus Christ Superstar with John Ledgend in the title role. After reviewing some photos and clips of the press release I noticed something rather odd: these shots and ideas sound eerily similar to what I have been planning for a production of JCS* for years! Before I go into full depth allow me to clarify a couple things:

Firstly, No I do not think the creative team actually stole concepts of mine (obviously). Anything that the team and myself have planned are purely couicidental.

Secondly, I am an actor/director and have been meaning to launch a production of this show in a particular way and style with a particular company that I was working with. Nearly had it once.

And thirdly, the purpose of these posts are to keep some sort of detailed record (as rediculous as that sounds). I’m not trying to start anything, I’m not trying to prove anything. This sort of thing happens to all of us. Of course I am open to change my ideas to new ones; after many times trying to get it right I finally created a final draft that felt perfect. I just don’t want to fall into the category of being a theatre company that has no original ideas, or simply creates a plagerized mock up. (And that applies to Any production)

Will this Do anything? No, honestly it’ll just make me feel better. And it’s not suppose to do anything.

Part 1. Opening:

For many years after falling in love with the show, analyzing and researching it, concept after concept I finally felt I created a production that meant something speacial to me, something fresh but familiar, something a wide variety of audiences would enjoy and take something out of it, in other words perfect.(to me anyway)

I would soon find myself in that mode where after watching and being in various productions, there were things that I felt could be better or there was a choice that I didn’t necessarily agree with. Anybody can relate to that feeling.(especially every single actor in any production of a show Ever)

And it’s not just Jesus Christ Superstar. There are Many productions I wish to revv up. That being said JCS has been the most annoying. It seems after the UK Tour with Tim Minchin launched in 2012, it has progressively been getting more attention. Not that that is a bad thing. I’m thrilled more theaters are playing performances of JCS. And with NBC broadcasting it, hopefully it can finally become more appreciated than before. But the more I keep putting off my production, the more my ideas seem to become not-so-fresh. Or relevant. And with the broadcast coming up, the newly transferred Chicago production, And a new North American Tour coming in 2019. It feels like something is telling me to hurry it up. Or maybe to wait. Regardless it will happen. I can only try to improve right?