Musical on a Snowy Afternoon

Jesus Christ Superstar

The afternoon started with an arguement between Vince and me on whether to take the bus or a cab. Since it was snowing, I tried to persuade him on taking the cab.The ever frugal one won, instead. So we took Bus 151 and got off Randolph. I was becoming annoyed, as we trudged two blocks of snowy street. We arrived at the theater soaking wet. "Will you listen to me, for once," I remember telling him as we made our way to our seats.


When the show started, my mood started to slowly lift up. Watching musicals is one of my most favorite leisures. There is something about the music and the story that moves me. It's different from watching a movie. The acting and the singing never fail to captivate me, no matter what musical it is that I watch. Snow or rain, I tried not to ruin this rare chance of pleasure.

This was my first time to watch Jesus Christ Superstar, and so was Vince's. Having been brought up as a Catholic, I didn't have the hard time following the story. But poor Vince, he was lost and had no idea what was going on until we talked about it after the show and compared it with the Passion. JCS is a rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyed Webber, that first intrigued the audience in 1971. It told the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus, set in modern times as seen through the eyes of Judas (the disciple who betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver).

The actors who performed in this particular tour were great. Natalie Toro, who played the role of Mary Magdalene had an amazing voice. I have heard Lea Salonga sang "I Don't Know How To Love Him" from her Broadway CD. I am Lea's fan, but Natalie Toro's version of the song was more enchanting.

Eric Kunze, the actor who played Jesus had a wonderful voice, too. He did Marius in Les Mis opposite Lea Salonga and also played Chris in Miss Saigon, too.

Lawrence Clayton, the guy who played Judas got a standing ovation from the audience. He played Judas in a way that would make you symphatize with the guy who betrayed Jesus. I do symphatize with his character. Judas played an important role in Jesus's story. Without him, the plan of salvation would not follow through. How awful it is to be in his shoes. To be an instrument of God to save the whole world, yet in a very negative way. To feel the shame and disappointment in yourself for betraying the one who would save the world from its sins that you would hang yourself to escape all the torments.


After the show, Vince and I grabbed dinner at Potbelly's sandwhich a block away from the theater. The snow hasn't stopped falling, and about three inches thick have collected on the ground. I was in a better mood after the dinner, so we also stopped by Nordstrom Rack before heading home. Vince got a nice trench coat for a very good deal. I wasn't very luck, so I got out of the store empty-handed. (Lucky na rin, in a way)

It was getting late and the squall would not cease, so we decided to go back home. I wanted to take a cab, but by this time, all the cabs were taken. So we walked to the bus stop. I was becoming irritated again because we had to wait about 30-45 minutes for the bus to arrive. When we got in the bus, the bus was filled that we had to stand for a few stops. I was finally able to get a seat, but was so annoyed at the guy seating next to me who wouldn't stop talking loudly on his cell phone. I was so glad when he got off the bus. I tried to think happy thoughts so as to lift my dampened spirit and temper my sour mood, but as I took a whiff of the guy who sat on the empty seat, my heart immediately sank. I felt nauseated with the guy's body odor mixed with sweat, cologne, and curry. "haaay.... this is not my day," I thought to myself.

Vince and I arrived home barely speaking with each other. I blamed him for my crappy day when it was not his fault that it snowed, or that some people don't care about their seatmates when they yak loudly on the cell phone, or that some people prefer to suffocate other people with their scents. Of course I was angry that he didn't listen to me when I suggested that we took the cab to the theater. However, I felt a pang of guilt when I realized how childish and irrational I acted for such petty thing. Lesson for me to learn: Don't sweat the small stuff. Lesson for him to learn: Next time, listen to your girlfriend. :)