I happened to stumble by it while surfing. There was nothing on the tube and I was about to shut it off. Then I see this guy looking like Phil Collins in a biker jacket singing Heaven on there minds. I'm glad I stayed, I thought it was fantastic. The change in libretto was just enough to keep on the edge of my seat instead of comfortably numb, humming and singing along. As I too have had it memorized for 33 years. However the most interesting change for me was in the casting. Traditionaly the part of Judas has been played by a black man, (I've assumed because of the vocal demands with the score). This however creates an implyed Good/Evil, Black/ White idea that was far less offensive 30 years ago. In this production Mary Magdeline is black. Now with the suggested relationship between her and Christ, it struck me as an interesting statement of how we view ourselves, others, and relationships today as opposed to 30 years ago. I tought it was great, finally a screen version worth watching. The '71 pop production with Ted Neely & Carl Anderson was just that , pop.

sorry for babbling Marc Bernier