You may know Jesus as the Son of God, who turned water into wine, who fed thousands with loaves and fishes, who rose from the dead. But how well do you know Jesus the man? The one who grew tired under the weight of a world that expected miracles on demand, the one who felt the sting of betrayal, and in his darkest hour, cried out wondering if God had abandoned him. Jesus Christ Superstar, the iconic rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, asks you to sit with that man, and it’s one of the most powerful theatrical experiences on stage this year.

This Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning rock opera is the latest in a lineup of world-class productions brought to Manila by UnionBank and GMG Productions. UnionBank cardholders enjoyed an exclusive presale period and a discount on tickets – perks that go well beyond the usual banking benefits by giving people access to live arts and entertainment.

The production’s Gala Night on May 5 at The Theater at Solaire drew a crowd of media, influencers, and theater lovers dressed in their finest and shiniest cocktail attire. The anticipation was palpable – and, as it turns out, fully warranted.

The story you know, reborn

The musical follows the final days of Jesus of Nazareth – his relationships with Mary Magdalene, Judas, and the apostles, the rising tension with the Pharisees, and the events leading to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. It’s a story most Filipinos are familiar with.

But Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story differently. Instead of a reverent, stained-glass retelling, we see these characters grapple with their circumstances in real time – the fear, the love, the politics, the grief. It doesn’t ask you to worship, just to watch and empathize.

The score that steals the show

Contrary to what the title might have you believe, the real star of the show is the score.

The moment the curtains draw and you see a guitarist on a platform on stage – yes, not in the pit, but on stage – tearing into an electrifying opening riff, you understand exactly what kind of show this is going to be. The musicians are present throughout the entire production, blurring the line between musical theater and full-on rock concert.

This is Webber at his best – sweeping, melodic, and relentlessly dynamic. One moment the music calms and soothes like in “Everything’s Alright”, and the next it crashes into something intimidatingly playful and sinister, a la “This Jesus Must Die”.

“Gethsemane” is where the show’s thesis crystallizes, showing Jesus the night before his death, having just been betrayed, scared, furious, and alone.

A miracle cast

Every cast member flawlessly steps into their characters and makes them their own, wholly committed to doing the musical justice.

Central to the show is the dynamic between Jesus and Judas – and Lucas Street and Javon King own their roles. Street’s Jesus is brooding and interior, a man slowly buckling under the weight of a role he didn’t choose. King’s Judas is the opposite: all urgency, drama, and diva energy, stealing every scene he’s in.

Another performance worth paying attention to is Filipino actress Gab Pangilinan’s Mary Magdalene – a role history has long flattened. She builds her into someone fully realized – a steady yet passionate presence, always there for Jesus as a shoulder to lean on, even as she carries her own struggles.

Then there are Caiaphas and Annas, played by Grant Hodges and Kodiak Thompson, commanding the stage with an aura that makes you sit up straighter. Their voices are distinctive and powerful – reverberating through your chest, and their costumes exude an imposing grandeur, making for two theatrical villains that you’ll never forget.

An ethereal production

The staging is minimal but deliberate, mostly drawing focus to a large cross laying flat on the stage as a focal point, used whenever a character demands your attention. The lighting follows suit, with beams of light inspired by rock concerts for the more energetic numbers, and fainter glows when the show slows down.

So should you watch it? Absolutely. Jesus Christ Superstar earns every bit of its reputation. The music is electrifying yet contemplative, and the story, one you think you already know, will surprise you in ways you didn’t see coming.

This musical marks the 10th production from the UnionBank x GMG Productions partnership – a collaboration that has previously brought Hamilton, Miss Saigon, Dear Evan Hansen, and The Friends Experience to the Philippines. For UnionBank, the partnership is part of a broader push to bring global cultural experiences to Filipino audiences, and to offer cardholders benefits that go beyond the transactional and financial.

Jesus Christ Superstar runs at The Theater at Solaire until May 31, 2026, with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The New Musical next on the lineup in July 2026.

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