Character guide
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene is one of the central figures in Jesus Christ Superstar, offering a quieter, more tender perspective amid the show's political and spiritual turmoil.
- Show
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Broadway premiere
- 1971
- Role
- Lead
- Music by
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
Mary Magdalene on stage vs screen
Broadway compared with the 1973 film and NBC's 2018 live concert
Yvonne Elliman is the rare performer who played Mary Magdalene on album, stage, and screen: she sang the role on the 1970 concept album, originated it on Broadway in 1971, and repeated it in Norman Jewison's 1973 film, earning a Golden Globe nomination. In the film, the reprise of Everything's Alright that Mary sings to Jesus before I Don't Know How to Love Him is cut down to its closing lines.
At the end of the film, Elliman is one of only three cast members, with Barry Dennen and Carl Anderson, who seem to notice that the actor playing Jesus is missing as the troupe boards its bus. Dana Gillespie played Mary in the original 1972 London production, and Sara Bareilles took the role in NBC's 2018 live concert.
Who is Mary Magdalene in Superstar?
In this telling, Mary is a devoted follower who cares deeply for Jesus and finds herself confused by her own feelings toward him, unsure how to reconcile affection with the immense pressure and danger surrounding his mission. She often serves as a calming presence, trying to soothe Jesus during his most anxious moments.
Her perspective gives the show some of its most reflective, emotionally intimate passages, providing a contrast to the political maneuvering and public spectacle happening around her.
Playing Mary Magdalene on stage
Mary is a lead role and one of the more sought-after parts for a soprano or mezzo-soprano interested in a rock-influenced score. The part calls for warmth and vulnerability rather than belting power alone, with phrasing that needs to feel intimate even inside a large-scale rock opera.
Performers are often drawn to the role because it offers a chance to bring stillness and tenderness to a show otherwise full of crowds, conflict, and confrontation.
Mary Magdalene: frequently asked questions
What show is Mary Magdalene from?
Mary Magdalene is a character in Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1971 rock opera composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Is Mary Magdalene a lead or supporting role?
She is a lead role, known for some of the show's most intimate and emotionally reflective moments.
Who wrote the music for Jesus Christ Superstar?
The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
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