The Dickinsonian had the opportunity to sit down and have an interview with Ted Neeley this past week. Neeley is most famous for his role as Jesus in the 1973 musical hit, Jesus Christ Superstar, but has also had a long and successful career in both acting and musical performance. At 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 1, there will be a special 40th anniversary screening of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Carlisle Theatre to raise funds to keep the theater open. Neeley will be joined by his fellow co-stars, Barry Dennan and Kurt Yahjian, to hold a discussion and question and answer session about the movie. This is an opportunity for students to see the actors and support the Carlisle Theatre. Tickets will be on sale for $15 for general admission, but will only be $5 for students with their IDs. The following is the interview with Neeley.

Kevin Doyle: So I guess to get us started off, I have read that you originally auditioned for the role of Judas Iscariot, but were given the role of Jesus Christ. Is this true?

Ted Neeley: Yes, it was true. You had to fight to get a position. I had known Tom O’Horgan and he had invited me to come and audition. I sang “Heaven on Their Minds,” one of Judas’s songs. Afterwards, Tom came up and hugged me but told me I should play the “other guy.”

KD: Now, have you ever gone back and played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar?

TN: Nope, I have always played Jesus.

KD: I imagine after playing Jesus in such an iconic movie, it would be hard to get people to see you any other way than “that one guy who played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar.” If someone calls you Jesus on the street, do you respond?

TN: Yes, I will. It always is a positive thing. If I can use the metaphor though, “it’s a heavy cross to bear.” Often times I receive criticism for the role, but after I talked with them, 95% support the movie.

KD: This might be a long shot, but have you ever met any other actors who played Jesus such as Jim Caviezel or Willem Dafoe?

TN: I have not, but I’d like to sit down with them someday. Everybody has an opinion on Jesus and no matter how you play Jesus, there will always be backlash.

KD: I’m sure you get asked this a lot, but what do you make of the criticism of the film by many Christians who feel that Jesus Christ Superstar is blasphemous or sacrilegious?

TN: I sit and talk with them openly. Almost every time, they change their opinion. The film is just looking at Jesus through the eyes of his disciples. They never knew he was God until after the resurrection. This movie isn’t denying Jesus’s divinity, it’s looking at him as a man.

KD: What are some of your all-time favorite musicals?

TN: Most of them, I don’t have many musicals that I don’t like.

KD: When did you start acting, and what advice do you have for young aspiring actors and actresses?

TN: My first show was Hair. I went directly from being a drummer to being an actor. My advice would be to believe in yourself. If you can be prepared through school, you should! Acting is always a collaborative effort and many people have helped me become an actor through the years. Never pass up an audition or opportunity.

KD: What was the most difficult scene, in terms of acting, in Jesus Christ Superstar?

TN: J-e-s-u-s. The whole thing. I was petrified about how famous of a personality I was playing and knowing that everyone would be watching my every move.

KD: I’m a huge fan of the Carlisle Theatre and am so glad you are coming to help it out. How did the 40th anniversary event get set up? Have you ever been to Carlisle before?

TN: We contacted them. They were completely open and cooperative. I really want to help save theaters across America. We need to show everybody the arts and it needs to be preserved. The Carlisle Theatre has been there for ages and needs to stay there. Yes, I have been to Carlisle but it’s been ages.

KD: What’s the one message you think the audience should come away with after watching Jesus Christ Superstar?

TN: We are all in this together. If we just accept that, we can just have peace and end all conflict. We are all one spirit. Another thing I like to say is “keep the circle turning.” We need to find goodwill in each other.