Jesus Christ Risen Star
Music and Lyrics by John Richmond

Jesus Christ Risen Star is the unofficial follow up to Sir Lloyd Weber's hit musical "Jesus Christ Super Star". It is a rock opera and looks at the accounts of Jesus' Resurrection as told in the Gospels through the eyes of the disciples.
Although Paul was converted thirty years after the Resurrection I have included him in my musical. We see his journey from persecuting the Christians to becoming one himself.

Many minor characters from the Gospels have their own song, for example Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry his cross, the Father of Zebedee, and people from the market place.

The musical is no way Christian propaganda and I do not state that Jesus rose from the dead but simply put the Gospel accounts of his Resurrection to music. Super Star is the telling of historical facts but Risen Star touches on people's faith, so I tell all sides of the story and let people decide for themselves.

Some songs from my album are included in the musical including Tell me Why, Time, Da dada da da.

"...the hard work you have put into this extraordinary work. Playing all the instruments, writing the book, lyrics and score and indeed notating it yourself is a monumental achievement of which you should be very proud. What is usually a broad collaborative effort you have undertaken it seems all by yourself, and that requires recognition and praise.
...What is impressive though and commendable is your decision to write a sung through piece. Some of the music is truly beautifully melodically and harmonically and this coupled with the almost drum and bass motifs with piano is extremely interesting. "

-A Stage Kindly review Feb 11

ACT ONE
An empty crucifix can be seen. Jesus is placed in the tomb. The stone is pushed sealing the tomb. Guards stand beside it. Some women approach, heads bowed. Thomas sings “Tell me Why” overlooking the tomb. The women continue to cry at the tomb. One guard hits Mary, she backs away.
The Leading priest from the Sanhedrin looks worried; he checks the tomb is secure. He signals that more guards should stand guard.
There is a bright light. The stone is rolled away from the tomb. A linen sheet lies on centre stage. Mary picks up the sheet, she looks around for Jesus. The choir sings Hosanna off stage, Jesus has risen, he’s a Risen Star.
Mary freezes and Jesus walks by her. She raises her head and looks round but there is no sign of anyone. Then Jesus shows himself to Mary, we do not see his face however. Jesus sings “Mary Magdalene” to Mary off stage. Mary is in shock. Mary then realises that this is not a dream, this is real. She runs to the market and Peter’s house.
The disciples are going about their business, their heads are bowed. As Mary enters the intro to “Sing away your blues” plays. Peter and the disciples continue to sing. They do not believe Mary, she must be lying.
Then we have Jesus’ grand entrance as “What a life” starts to play. He sIngs to the shocked disciples and the people in the market square. In the background Thomas looks suspicious, he has his doubts. He stops Jesus as he tries to enter Peter’s house.
Thomas sings “I doubt” to Jesus and Jesus replies. At the end Thomas puts his hands in Jesus’ side, Thomas now believes.
Now all the disciples and market people surround Jesus. This is real, Jesus has indeed risen.
Pilate enters the market, he cannot believe his eyes. They stand facing each other. They both sing “Worship me.” At the end Pilate falls to his knees, he takes off his crown. He sings his solo. The guards start to harass the disciples. Pilate runs away, he is no longer in control.
The disciples confront the guards and at this stage they seem to be winning. They can’t take Jesus away again. The main song from Act One is now sung “Jesus Christ Risen Star.”
Paul now enters with his guards. There is a large fight and some men are killed by the guards. Jesus has disappeared. Some men are taken away to be crucified, their wives and children cry.
The disciples pull their hoods up and start to sing “Been believing” to lift their spirits. At the end they are shouting it from the rooftops.
Paul has even more guards. He traps most of the disciples. Paul sings his song as more people are arrested “Let’s tie them to the rack.”

ACT TWO
As the overture plays Jesus walks with some men. Jesus sits and breaks bread. A bright light appears, the men look scared and confused. They hug Jesus.
Peter sings “Time” as he sits with some disciples in his house. What has happened, where is Jesus, was it all a dream? Guards knock on the door but they keep quiet.
Matthew, Mark and Luke are organising some notes, they are starting to write their Gospels. White boards are full of quotes and stories.
Outside in the market people plead for the guards not to take away Prisoner 1. The prisoner is taken away. The market is trashed as Simon of Cyrene sings his song.
Meanwhile in the jail we hear screams as the prisoners are tortured. Two men are crucified in the distance. The Captain of the Guard sings, taunting the prisoners.
Amongst all this suffering we have the love duet between Jesus and Mary “I fell in love today.”
The prisoners start to have doubts, they question their faith. How can Jesus save them all now?
Jesus appears from the middle of the jail. He has been with them all along, he has heard their doubts. Jesus walks up to Paul. The rest of the stage is in darkness, just these two main characters.
Jesus sings asking Paul why he is killing his friends, will Paul not be happy to Jesus’ dynasty ends? Paul has his sword against Jesus’ neck. Then Paul drops his sword, he falls to his knees. He has his conversion. He has to stop all this suffering, all this torture.
Paul makes a hole in the fence and the prisoners start to escape. Peter hears about this miracle and comes to witness it for himself. He sings “Time-remix” as he helps the prisoners escape.
The mood has changed, everyone is smiling as prisoners are reunited with their loved ones. The main song from Act Two is now sung by Peter and the choirs “Yesu Christu.”
The market traders get the market up and running again. Paul has changed and is dressed like the disciples. He sings “Da dada dada “ as he talks to Jesus about his new mission.
Jesus and Paul then start on their journey as they sing their duet.
Jesus disappears.
Curtain down.