Publications from Entertainment Weekly to Variety aren’t just talking about the success of NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. They’re also talking about the things home viewers didn’t see. Here are some of the behind-the-curtain secrets!
The audience was bused in and given snacks and drinks.
Ticket holders were asked to meet at a separate location two hours prior, where snacks and drinks were available. They then traveled by bus to the show.
Sand became a problem.
During commercial breaks the crew, armed with brooms and spray bottles, did their best to keep the sand under control.
The producers wanted audience members on their cell phones.
Producer Marc Platt came out before the show and encouraged the audience to dance, clap, and get involved. He even encouraged them to tweet and take photos during the performance.
Platt told audience members:
You are part of the experience tonight.
No empty seats allowed!
Audience members were tasked with filling empty seats any way they could — spread out, sit in two seats, whatever it took — if their neighbor took a break or went to the restroom. Wait, don’t they pay people to do that at the Academy Awards?
11 Behind-The-Scenes Secrets of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’ https://t.co/TirlSCjYxZ
— Variety (@Variety) April 2, 2018
Gordon Cox, theater editor for Variety, live tweeted during the production to keep people in the know.
.@johnlegend, greeting the faithful in @JCSTheMusical #dontchagetmewrong pic.twitter.com/tSy5Sfoj9C
— Gordon Cox (@GCoxVariety) April 2, 2018
A sneak preview of what comes next in @JCSTheMusical pic.twitter.com/1mIEeAtQ5L
— Gordon Cox (@GCoxVariety) April 2, 2018
Crucial last minute collar adjustment. #JesusChristSuperstarLive #dontchagetmewrong pic.twitter.com/fivunrtadf
— Gordon Cox (@GCoxVariety) April 2, 2018
Oh yeah, @johnlegend definitely got a spontaneous standing O for that. #JesusChristSuperstarLive #dontchagetmewrong
— Gordon Cox (@GCoxVariety) April 2, 2018
.@alicecooper earned himself a standing O too. #JesusChristSuperstarLive #dontchagetmewrong
— Gordon Cox (@GCoxVariety) April 2, 2018
Ready for curtain call! @JCSTheMusical #dontchagetmewrong pic.twitter.com/X02JJUhxom
— Gordon Cox (@GCoxVariety) April 2, 2018
Chrissy Teigen was also on hand to give a play-by-play of husband John Legend’s performance.
He won’t say it but I know he was nervous for that song. So good!!
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 2, 2018
❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/u4jsEj99Kf
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 2, 2018
The reviews are in!!! The people love it!!!! https://t.co/dl4nbs2ZF4
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 2, 2018
Teigen was right — the show was a huge success!
Review: NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” may have finally justified the recent live musical fad on network TV https://t.co/xoRihJn7JS
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 2, 2018
I have seen 'Jesus Christ Superstar' the Broadway play, the Major Motion Picture, and listened to the double album until my needle wore out, but NBC's Live version is outstanding!!! pic.twitter.com/3JPf6qp9B2
— John Wesley Brett (@jwbrett) April 2, 2018
I’ve not been a fan of these live televised musicals, but Jesus Christ Superstar has made up for all of them! Well done NBC! #JesusChristSuperstarLive
— sza suz (@SEAriale) April 2, 2018
A few thoughts on tonight's careening showcase for leather pants, tremendous vocals and glitter, #JesusChristSuperstarLive https://t.co/L5VHvVj5zX
— Mo Ryan (@moryan) April 2, 2018
Jesus Christ Superstar is the best production of a live musical that NBC has done so far. Casting. Set design. Choreography. Orchestration.
I mean it is clear that I absolutely have a new Easter tradition.
— Mylane (@mbellasmuts) April 2, 2018
Congratulations to cast and crew on a successful show!
H/T: Variety, Entertainment Weekly
