Not intended to turn into a commentary about religion... Just a cool "girlyfan" type of experience (Yes, I have my "girly" moments). Meant for those folks of a certain age group who may have fond memories of the movie, and/or also had some oddly warm tinglies about Ted Neeley at some point.

Saw the Broadway production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" last Sunday at the Performing Arts Center in Escondido... (HUGE facility - 1500 seat gorgeous theater) - The production starred Ted Neeley (The original Jesus in the movie, 64 now, been doing this production nearly continuously for 34 years, and STILL has that amazing voice!)... It was truly an amazing production. Even Bill was floored by it, and truly moved and stunned at the ending.

This is my story of that night...

I got to meet Jesus!

Well, Ted Neeley really, but hey, he's always been Jesus to me. :)

So call me a geek, g'head, call me one... I got hugged by Jesus. :)

Not only did we meet him, but talked one on one with him for a good 30/40 minutes in the most amazing evening... Saw the play, with Ted STILL in amazing voice after doing this for 34 years (!), and Corey Glover (Living Color) as Judas... Not a Carl Anderson, no one is, but a worthy successor.

I have to say, he is simply the most amazing "celebrity" I've ever met, and I have met tons. There are many amazing celebrity and rock people out there that take time with, and genuinely care about, fans, but I'm sorry, this guy takes the cake. Not only did he send someone out to the rope line after the show and ask everyone there backstage, but then singled each person or group out, and spoke with them as long as it took. He spent hours, literally. And not the usual happy talk (nice to see you, glad you enjoyed the show, yadda, yadda, yadda). This was genuine, in depth conversation, tailored to each individual, and each situation. It was amazing enough just watching him with the others. Depending on the person or situation, he variably talked religion, knowledgeably, he spoke of singing, and the art of singing, counseling a young woman to never give up her dream, relating some of his own failures and how they helped him grow with determination, getting down on the floor with children and speaking to them as equals, putting utterly panicked women and men who were star struck totally at ease, politics, philosophy, staging, and passing out sincere, long, hugs.

We were the last ones in (Because Bill was holding the door for everyone - It's a "Texas" thang), and waited to give everyone in first the chance to spend time with him. By the time it was our turn, it was 2am, and they had the tour buses up and running, waiting for him, but he just stayed, easily spending a half hour/40 minutes just talking to Bill and I alone... Making his people wait in the buses - For Lil'Ol Us! I won't go into detail what the conversation was about, it was intensely personal to me, but it spanned religion, philosophy, Carl Anderson (which brought him to tears, this long afterwards), the vagaries of fame, and more... Even had him on the floor laughing when I joked that I had to have 12 years of therapy for lusting after "Jesus"...

MOST surreal moment of my entire life? Seriously? Telling him, with all sincerity, that I had worked with one of the best bands in the world when it came to fan relations, and that, without taking anything in the world away from my boys, that he just simply had them beat, in spades. He asked who the band was, and I told him. He started getting excited... Said "I know them, don't I? What song is that, I'm tired and pulling a blank but I know it... Sing it for me..." So Bill started singing their biggest hit, and he immediately started laughing and yelling "I LOVE THAT SONG - Sing it with me, I'll harmonize..." So Bill and Ted "freakin'" Neeley harmonized the song together... O.M.G. Came every close to passing out there. And I don't GET giddy talking to celebrities...lol!

Soooooooooooooooo Surreal.

Got even more surreal when he asked if any of the guys could make a show someday because he'd love to meet any or all of them, talk music, and get an autograph (!). And he meant it... It would thrill him to tears to get to talk music with any of the guys, and would sincerely thrill him to get an autograph. I love it when celebrities are "girlyfan" about other celebrities... Just strikes my funnybone for some reason. :)

What a humble guy...

He also hugs. Not a "hug". But a "huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggg". And HE instigates them. Hard, sincere, full body clasp - And he doesn't let you go until HE wants to. Long lasting. Very comforting. Even hugged Bill. Bill was totally blown away by the guy.

Amazing...

I feel humbled...

Thanks Ted...

Cheers All!

Kim

p.s. Didn't have ANY idea we'd be going backstage so the camera was in the car (ARGH!), but here's a scan of the programme he autographed for me.