Last night was the 50th anniversary of the release of Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman as Jesus, Judas, and Mary. I was lucky to be at the screening in Dallas, TX, sitting next to Mr. Ted (J.C.) Neeley himself!

Yes, I paid extra for that honor but I don’t care.

I was oblivious to the phenomenon of this musical until approximately 1992, when I was a whopping 24 years old. The show was part of the local musical theater’s season ticket package that included Evita. I was a rabid fan of Evita so I bought season tickets. I was hesitant about going to see JCS because I wasn’t at all familiar with the show but I was convinced otherwise. There has been no turning back!

I was absolutely mesmerized by the dancing, the lyrics, the concept, the music, and the visuals. I’m not a religious person so I was especially drawn to the very human portrayal of Jesus – his hesitation and reluctance to serve as the sacrifice for a role that was thrust upon him by people searching for a purpose in this life.

When the show ended, I called my boyfriend (now husband) and said “You have GOT to see this show!” but we could not get tickets for the remaining sold out performances. Instead, I bought the brown album and played it incessantly.

The following year, we discovered the national tour of JCS that included Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson singing the parts they made their own in the 1973 movie. Two diehard fans were born. We ended up seeing that particular show approximately 24 times in Arizona, California, and New York (we actually planned our honeymoon to coincide with the NY tour dates).

We were fortunate to meet Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Dennis DeYoung (lead singer of Styx played Pontius Pilate) very early on – maybe at the 2nd or 3rd show. Ted was incredibly gracious and spoke with my husband far longer than a superstar is required to speak to an uber fan.

Dennis was cordial.

Carl looked at me and said “You are very beautiful.” I carry that memory deep in my heart as I have watched my youth escape using the lines on my face over the next 30 years.

Another cast member, David Bedella (Caiaphas), whose deep voice burrows into the center of your soul, gave us one of the best gifts we have ever received – the official JCS tour jackets which we wore on our wedding day, items we value almost as much as the friendship that endures to this day.

We’ve seen many other productions of JCS throughout the years. Some have been amazing in their own right, some have been tolerable at best. I won’t even bring up John Legend’s live portrayal except to say I won’t bring it up. Our kids were quickly indoctrinated into our JCS fandom and have seen it over a dozen times. They rebelled the first chance they got but have come around again after we gave them a break.

We’ve been to a few JCS screenings of the original movie where Ted is in attendance. As always, he is kind and patient with his multitude of fans. There is a wide variety of fans and they are fun to observe. The younger fans tend to be quiet and aloof but the shine in their eyes gives away their excitement. Older ladies will hog the group discussion with personal stories no one else wants to hear but we all oooh and awww and fawn appropriately because NO-ONE wants to offend Ted who is smiling politely at every word. There are fans who are decked out from head to toe in JCS paraphernalia. There are those who will do anything to get Ted’s attention and those who are just happy to be in his presence. And, there are the fans who will tell everyone within earshot how they know Ted or how much the movie means to them or how many times they’ve seen it.

Every fan thinks they are the BEST fan, believing that we are somehow unique and he is sure to remember us but we are just one of many. At the end of it all we are probably just one anamorphic fan in Ted’s eyes. It’s okay, he is just one man standing in front of thousands of zealots vying for a piece of him. (Hmmm, that sounds eerily similar to a movie I just watched!) the real miracle is how he makes us feel like he really does remember each of us and every tidbit we feel compelled to share.

Ted enthusiastically answers questions he has answered a thousand times before and, like a masterful dream weaver, he inspiringly re-tells stories he has already told.

In the 50 years this movie has existed, I marvel at the changes in our lives alongside a movie that never changes. In the 30 years we have known Ted, he has been an unwitting witness to our lives as we have dated, married, had kids, and now, retired.

I paid extra to sit next to Ted because this night felt special. I wanted to be an intricate part of it. When he got to his seat, he looked at me and sang “🎶 I think I’ve seen you somewhere 🎶” while I sat there and figuratively pissed myself.

We chatted for a bit and the movie started so we settled into our seats and I sat there while keenly aware that he was on the screen and by my side. When “Gethsemane – I Only Want to Say” began, I felt it in my bones. I felt like I was floating from my seat so I tucked my hand under Ted’s arm and he reached over with his other hand and covered my hand with his. His touch anchored me to my seat and to the moment. This is a memory I have already folded neatly and tucked away in my JCS compartment and shall hold it dear for the rest of my days.

Yup, that ticket was worth every penny.