"Jesus Christ Superstar" is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the Passion, the work interprets the psychology of Jesus and other characters, with much of the plot centered on Judas, who is dissatisfied with the direction in which Jesus is steering his disciples. Contemporary attitudes, sensibilities and slang pervade the rock opera's lyrics, and ironic allusions to modern life are scattered throughout the depiction of political events. Stage and film productions accordingly contain many intentional anachronisms.
Initially unable to get backing for a stage production, the composers released it as a concept album, the success of which led to the show's Broadway on-stage debut in 1971. By 1980, the musical had grossed more than $237 million worldwide. Running for over eight years in London between 1972 and 1980, it held the record for longest-running West End musical before it was overtaken by "Cats" in 1989.
Angelo Luis Rios performed in the North American tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar". His other credits include "If This Hat Could Talk", "Dreamgirls", "Miss Saigon", "Cats", "Rent", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Aida", and "Night of the Living Dead". Rios also served as a member of the renowned USO Show Troupe, which performs live annually for more than 200,000 service members of the United States military, as well as their families.
On June 20, 2016, Broadway Sings for Pride premiered its 6th anniversary benefit concert "Ovation" in New York City, at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. This milestone event was filled with singing (from pop to Broadway), stories, special celebrity guests, and more. The show honored Tyler Clementi Foundation and AIDS pioneer and activist Ruth Coker Burks. Broadway Sings for Pride is a multiple award-winning, non-for-profit organization that brings together Broadway talent, activists, and celebrities, to educate the public, raise awareness of the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, and support these young people, so that they may reach their full potential.
Rios performed the song "Unconditionally" during the benefit concert, where Shefik served as Videographer. "Unconditionally" is a song by singer Katy Perry. It was released as the second single from her fourth studio album "Prism" (2013). Inspiration for the song came primarily from a humanitarian trip to Madagascar that Perry made in partnership with UNICEF.
"Unconditionally" is a power ballad styled in rock, backed against a bassline and percussion. Commercially, it peaked within the top ten in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Lebanon, and South Africa, as well as the top twenty in Australia, Austria, Canada, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and United States.
Credits
- Videographer: Shefik
Last Updated: May 1, 2023
