When Jesus meets a rockman

Whenever we encounter Jesus in others, a part of us lights up, but sometimes is Jesus himself to prepare this meeting, while we would have never expected it.

This is the story of a charismatic rock man, whose face is remembered as one of Jesus and a young girl who was trying to understand the meaning of life "listening to Mozart and The Beatles' ....

Everything has a meaning in life and even when we do not understand what is happening, we should have the serenity to live it, without asking why this thing is so important to us.

I have to thank the blog of Angels and its organization which has brought us to witness the performance, nowadays most famous, of "Jesus Christ Superstar", these days on stage at the Sistina theatre in Rome.

Here we are then, gathered together with a blog of Angels’ "delegation", with whom we have witnessed the performance of the most moving film in cinema history, but also a timeless play, enhanced by an excellent organization, an exceptional cast and a scenery to a great effect.

Waiting for Jesus

While waiting for the artists to come out there was some dispute, but our wish of an improvised meeting with Ted Neeley, the beloved protagonist and once again the interpreter of Jesus' earthly years, has prevailed.

Some of us had in a hand an old vinyl, yellowed by time: "I bought it at nine " confessed Gisella, a blogger, a bit 'nervous to be talking to the actor who had represented the face of Jesus.

Man among men

But let us forget for a moment our friends of the blog waiting for Ted Neeley and go back to many years ago, when a young girl who was studying in a nuns' institute was allowed to see a great musical movie.

The period is that of the "hippies ", the image of Jesus won in simplicity and love, so far away from such obsolete characteristics as those of the heavy medieval iconography, that easily  reached everybody’s heart.

That girl has become a woman and she has never forgotten the emotion that film caused within herself, she has never forgotten the face of the main character, the message of peace and the hope for a better world that it was bringing.

The film needed a brave actor, with unquestionable artistic talent and a great expressive ability and contact with the public.

Despite the criticism to which the cult was subjected, without fear of being mistaken,I remember the enthusiasm of many Catholics, like  a nun in my school who was playing the guitar and singing songs from the legendary musical!....

Troubled years .. but no later interpretation, no sublime masterpiece about the life of Jesus had reached the hearts of many like that work; a work that was about the last seven days of HIS life: a timeless masterpiece since Jesus walked really among us, Man among men.

Over the years, the songs of this musical had become the classics and the film was counted among the most beautiful ones to watch at Christmas and Easter time, along with the unforgettable masterpiece of Frank Capra's "Life is a wonderful thing" ...

 God's plan

On the other hand, Ted was continuing to work as a very talented musician and singer, a versatile actor, and a happy husband for 40 years (he met his wife on the set of Jesus Christ), and now proud father of two sons.

The fame of his debut, however, saw him in the role of Jesus many times in theaters all over the world. Ted has always showed an interior disposition which every time diversifies his interpretation, in generosity and joy.

What is the secret that made it possible?

An Indian holy man of the last century had to say that, if we had behaved in the manner of an angel, we could gain ourselves the brilliance of the timeless Spirits.

When I met Ted Neeley I realized how these words were true. 

Beyond the actor and the character

But Ted Neeley is not Jesus, although he continued to play His song for 40 years. May be one wonders when his heart has surrendered to that sacredness.

But this does not matter: what you feel talking to him, goes beyond the actor and the character, while he conquers everybody with his disarming generosity, the sweetness of every gesture and the clear light of his tender eyes. The actor and the Rockman had gone, and Jesus only appears.

Ted clarified my doubts, during the time he wanted to dedicate to us after the show: " I am nothing more than an actor who played Jesus in his earthly journey, but what happened next is beyond and above us " and while saying this he was keeping my hands strongly clasped in his; sometimes vehement, sometimes more serious, in his expression there was only love and understanding for all who went to him, with inexhaustible energy  welcomed all of us of the blog of Angels, as well as his beloved fans.

Knowing Ted was a great experience and I can only add: 

"Listen his songs with your heart : people say he's looking into your soul"

Peace and Light

(edizione inglese curata da Anna Paolinelli)



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