Act II Summary
Act II: The Last Supper
During the Last Supper, the apostles treat it as a regular meal rather than a
sacrament until Jesus sings, "This is my blood you drink / This is my body you
eat." Their indifferent expressions reveal to Jesus that they will forget him
after his death. When he announces that one of them will betray him, everyone
protests except Judas, who accepts the challenge. Judas leaves, the apostles
fall asleep, and Jesus is left in solitude. He starts to question his destiny,
God, and his mission on Earth. As his determination wanes, he accuses God,
"You’re far too keen on where and how but not so hot on why." Receiving no
divine reassurance, he braces himself for the coming trials, hoping to finally
see God. The scene concludes with Judas kissing Jesus on the cheek, and Jesus
asks, "Judas, must you betray me with a kiss?"
Act II: The Arrest
When Roman soldiers arrive to apprehend Jesus, the apostles groggily wake up
and reach for their swords. Jesus calms them and willingly goes with the
soldiers, who push him along. As they move, a crowd forms around him, including
Annas and Judas. Some jeer, "Now we’ve got him," while others, like reporters
hounding a celebrity, ask, "What would you say were your big mistakes?"
Caiaphas solemnly confirms the arrest and sends Jesus to Pilate, who holds the
authority to sentence him to death.
Act II: Peter’s Denial
A maid and her grandfather identify Peter as a follower of the prisoner, which
Peter denies three times. Mary reminds him that Jesus had foreseen his
denial.
Act II: Pilate and Christ
Pilate reluctantly questions Jesus, realizing that the crowd's fervor to kill
him has diminished his own authority. He is struck by Christ's calm demeanor
and wishes not to harm him. To avoid responsibility, Pilate sends Jesus to King
Herod, who has jurisdiction over the Jews, saying, "You’re Herod’s race! You’re
Herod’s case!"
Act II: King Herod’s Song
King Herod, an overweight, self-indulgent, and corrupt ruler, is surrounded by
flatterers and lives in decadent luxury. In a well-choreographed ragtime song
and dance, he mocks Jesus, demanding a miracle on command. When Jesus remains
unresponsive, Herod angrily sends him away. Meanwhile, Mary and Peter sing,
"Could We Start Again, Please?"
Act II: Judas’s Death
Overcome by guilt, Judas confronts Annas and Caiaphas, accusing them of
mistreating the person he betrayed. They dismiss him, amplifying his torment.
In his anguish, Judas sings an apology to Christ, adapting Mary’s song, "I
Don’t Know How to Love Him." Realizing his culpability too late, he hangs
himself. The choir chants, "So long Judas / Poor old Judas."
Act II: Trial Before Pilate
Caiaphas hands Jesus over to Pilate, demanding a final execution. Pilate,
however, feels uneasy about this heavy responsibility. During his
interrogation, he seems to seek any reason to free Jesus, saying, "I’ll agree
he’s mad / Ought to be locked up / But that’s no reason to destroy him."
Despite this, Jesus offers no defense, further indicating his divine nature.
Pilate consents to have Christ flogged with thirty-nine lashes, a brutal
punishment. Afterwards, Pilate gently lifts the broken Jesus, but when Jesus
tells him he has no power, Pilate becomes enraged and permits Christ’s "great
self-destruction" to proceed.
Act II: Superstar
Miraculously revived, Judas oversees the walk to the crucifixion, aided by
three choirs of "angels" who sing the "Superstar" reprise. Judas questions
Jesus, suggesting that perhaps this event should have occurred in a more modern
era, since "Israel in 4 B.C. had no mass communication." Jesus dies on the
cross, in a simple manner.
Act II: John Nineteen Forty-one
With the show concluded, the actors begin to repack and board the bus. Some do
so briskly and businesslike, while others, like Mary, take a final wistful look
back at the set. The curtain falls.
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