Move over Easter Bunny because NBC is giving Broadway fans a treat no chocolate egg or colorful Peep can compete with: Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert. Oscar, Grammy, and Tony winner John Legend stars as Jesus, Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon is Judas, and Tony nominee Sara Bareilles is Mary, along with a very Broadway featured cast (yay!). Previews for Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s landmark rock opera just look absolutely stunning.
While we have to wait until April 1 to hear John Legend fully unleash on “Gethsemane”, BroadwayBox revisits 12 of our all-time favorite performances of Jesus’ incredible Act Two showstopper.
Michael Ball
Broadway’s golden tenor of the ‘80s and ‘90s infuses the piece with his Olivier-winning acting talents. He’s filled with passion and anger. And those soaring vocals, my lord. That voice don’t quit, not even for a second.
Paul Alexander Nolan
Broadway’s most recent Jesus and current Margaritaville star has legit one of my favorite male voices on B’way rn, so I’m living. What I like about Paul’s version is that he makes it feel like rock. There’s a little grit in his performance.
Drew Sarich
If you aren’t already obsessed with Drew Sarich’s killer voice, open YouTube in a new tab and treat yourself to a proper spiral. This is another very passionate performance and yet it feels so rock. This is what Superstar is meant to be—what it could be.
Nicholas Edwards
Nicholas Edwards performs an a cappella version that is my new religion. This is one of the most special performances on this list. Get ready.
Evan Tyrone Martin
Evan played Jesus in Paramount’s acclaimed all-black Chicago production, and these vocals. It sounds so fresh. I would put this version on my iTunes.
Glenn Carter
Glenn played Christ in the 2000 revival opposite Tony Vincent and the new film adaptation. His performance is very ethereal, which obvi. works for this moment, but he’s also more pleading than angry. I always liked his version because it felt like we were listening in on a private conversation between father and son.
Billy Porter
The Kinky Boots Tony winner nails this. I love him from 2:59-3:20. He is singing for the lord throughout—serving vocals, vocals, vocals (um, that 3:42 moment). He leaves every inch of himself on the stage in this moment.
John Arthur Greene
This is a great showcase for the West Side Story, Matilda and School of Rock alum. He has a huge voice! He needs a big singing role that lets him shine. DAMN!
Luke Kennedy
Aussie Jesus is young and handsome and has some INSANE high notes in him. Slow start but then 2:35 happened and that high note. That’s just an appetizer for the big notes he goes to later.
Eric Michael Krop
I was not familiar with EMK before this video, but he has such a cool, interesting voice. Legit jaw drop from 1:59-2:10.
Steve Balsamo
What is there to even say about what he does with this song? No wonder he’s such a legendary Superstar performer. Goosebumps!
Ted Neeley
Thanks to his performance in the film and subsequent tours, Ted IS Jesus to many fans, and he does not disappoint here. This performance is so thought out. Just beautiful.
