"Jesus Christ Superstar" is a controversial rock opera that is loosely based on the Gospel's account of Jesus' last week on Earth, so some Christians prefer not to watch it or much less take part in the musical.
However, rock star Alice Cooper, known for songs such as "School's Out" and "Poison," does not think that way. Personally, Cooper found it "really, really well written and well done." In fact, when he was offered the villainous role of King Herod, he accepted it with gusto.
"In the back of my brain, there are times when I get really mad when I read the 'Passion Play' on how Jesus was treated, and it really angers you. Then at the same time, you go, 'Oh, wait a minute, I'm playing the part of one of the guys that does this.' I look at it purely as a piece of art, and it's directly out of the Bible," he told the Rolling Stone. "I might have a harder time playing Judas than I would playing Herod. It would be hard to play the guy that stabs him in the back."
Cooper already played Herod in 1996 when he recorded a version of "King Herod's Song," which is a song from the villain's point of view that seeks to undermine the powers of Jesus. He performed it during a London cast recording of the production, but did not get the chance to act it onstage.
Cooper is one of the musicians who was saved by their faith. In his younger days, he used to keep up with his peers such as Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix by drinking non-stop, but they all died in their 20s. Cooper decided then that death is not the only road for him, so he changed his life and reclaimed the faith of his childhood.
"My wife and I are both Christian," he told Confidential. "My father was a pastor, my grandfather was an evangelist. I grew up in the church, went as far away as I could from it - almost died - and then came back to the church."
