Lazarus (Adam G)
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Which Role Is More Vocally Demanding?I'd vote for Judas; the performer has to do a lot of full voice stuff; he has to tear out his lungs to do the part right.
Jesus does a lot of head-voice; perhaps he's harder in the acting department (you can't over do it, but you can't 'under-act'), but he's much easier to sing.
I'm a tenor, and I still have trouble with Judas sometimes.
Your thoughts?
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jcstar
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When I talk to Danny Zolli this week, I'll ask him what he thinks.
The again, he could throw a curve at me and say "Annas is the toughest vocal in JCS" just to be funny.
Andy.
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Webster
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Judas definitely. Jesus can float to all his notes, but judas has to hit them with some grit.
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superdave
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Judas all the way, Everything he sings is on the top of my range. I might possibly be playing this part, and man.... Its going to be a doozy, I tell you what.
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Lord Moe
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Man...I hate this question. I've never performed any of those parts, but I've sang them repeatedly. I had to go with Judas, but Jesus is nothing to scoff at. If you hear some of the stuff that Steve Balsamo does, it's INSANE!! But sometimes for Jesus it's either you have what it takes or no.
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Jesus
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Balsamo did nothing that is "insane" he took the safe route everytime. There was no risk, no danger in his performance. It was mechanical, boring, and decidely unimpressive. Neither time I saw him live did he live up to the 1996 recording and hold the G all the way through the 5/8 break in Gethsemane. And both times his top notes were weak.
His portrayal of Jesus, dramatically, was bland. He was either angry or sad...not once did I see evidence of a nuicenced, weight laiden man. Instead he was a characiture, falling into traditional music theatre style acting...50 years obsolete. It was sad to witness...And a sad day for JCS
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Lord Moe
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| Jesus wrote: | Balsamo did nothing that is "insane" he took the safe route everytime. There was no risk, no danger in his performance. It was mechanical, boring, and decidely unimpressive. Neither time I saw him live did he live up to the 1996 recording and hold the G all the way through the 5/8 break in Gethsemane. And both times his top notes were weak.
His portrayal of Jesus, dramatically, was bland. He was either angry or sad...not once did I see evidence of a nuicenced, weight laiden man. Instead he was a characiture, falling into traditional music theatre style acting...50 years obsolete. It was sad to witness...And a sad day for JCS |
That's not how I feel. Some of those notes he hits in the '96 album are great, and I think he acts out the part great (like the Ahoy video of Gethsemane). And the part about the holding out the note in the break...I haven't seen or heard anyone do that. That is VERY hard, because you need enough breath to not make it seem weak, and you need to hold it out for such a long time. If you're really putting everything into performing it (instead of recording it for a CD), you're going to be doing a lot more than just singing it, you're going to be putting everything into seeming like you're in agony. That's how I feel.
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jcstar
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I spoke to Danny Zolli about this, and here's what he said:
"I wouldn't wish the role of Judas Iscariot on ANYBODY. It's pain and suffering for two hours. You have to be able to risk you voice and health to do the role justice. In short, if you don't want to out yourself in the hospitol for coughing up a lung onstage, don't do it!
"I know people who have ruined their voices/carreers doing the role. I also know people who won't go near the material, because it's too demanding for the voice.
"It is the hardest role in Broadway history."
This, spoken by a man who has sung Judas, Jesus and Annas (at times doing all three roles in a single week) over 19 productions.
Andy.
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Lazarus (Adam G)
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You know that if Danny Zolli said it, it's got to be true! 
As for Balsamo, Lord Moe, have you heard the 97 Last Lyceum recording?
I'll give you gethsemane at some point, and you'll see why a lot of people don't like him.
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Tom
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Judas is the role that put Ben Vereen in the hospital. It nearly ruined his singing/Broadway career. He was fired after insisting he could no longer sing 8 shows a week.
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Jesus
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Not fired, he split the role with Anderson after he was injured vocally.
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Tom
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He was fired. Anderson left to do the L.A. production with Neeley and Vereen was asked to do 8 shows a week. He refused and was fired and was then approached by Fosse to do Pippin.
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Borb
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Definently Judas!
I have been working on the music lately, and have to agree.
Jesus can head voice alot, but Judas has to full out chest.
I am considered a high tenor and his high notes push my range at times!
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DaddyDiesel
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Hands down judas is the most difficult role to sing in the show. In fact I woulsay Judas would be somwhere in the top 15 most difficult roles to sing in musical theatre. I wouldn't even put Jesus in the top 30.
I think Jesus can get by with a lot of head voice and less power which is a lot easier for a guy to do. Judas on the other hand has some insanly high angsty belting. I have seen to many a good singer do this role and have it come off sounding like shouting.
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Brother Marvin Hinten, S.
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And by contrast, I can personally sing Jesus and Judas easily. So it all depends on one's ability.
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Lazarus (Adam G)
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I find Judas harder, personally. I can sing both...But it did take a long time to build up my voice enough to sing Judas with ease.
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jcstar
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I don't think you kids should be saying you can sing the roles with "ease."
There is a difference between just singing the songs and singing them in front of an audience.
You really have to convince the audience that you ARE that character for two hours. That, combined with the vocal gymnastics that JCS has, isn't easy... even the pros say that.
(I'm not just directing this at Adam and Gibby. They both have read JCS.net interviews. I'm saying this to anybody who says that they can sing the roles without sweating. Which, I think, is arrogant)
Andy.
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The Pirate King
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| jcstar wrote: | I don't think you kids should be saying you can sing the roles with "ease."
There is a difference between just singing the songs and singing them in front of an audience.
You really have to convince the audience that you ARE that character for two hours. That, combined with the vocal gymnastics that JCS has, isn't easy... even the pros say that.
(I'm not just directing this at Adam and Gibby. They both have read JCS.net interviews. I'm saying this to anybody who says that they can sing the roles without sweating. Which, I think, is arrogant)
Andy. |
I completely agree.
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