What's the Seminary's Connection with Jesus Christ Superstar?

 

Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s 1970 rock opera, continues to mesmerize audiences more than forty years later. Usage rights belonging to UK pop impresario Robert Stigwood prohibited any group from staging the opera before its Broadway premiere on October 12, 1971, but controversy on this score created material out of which an interesting book has been written.

Published this month, Jesusmania! The Bootleg Superstar of Gettysburg College chronicles the production and debate attached to the illegal performance of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Gettysburg College chapel on March 25, 1971. Author Devin McKinney highlights the show’s connection with the Gettysburg Seminary, treating Larry Recla, who was an intern for 1970-71 at the College and would graduate from the Seminary the following year, as the star of his book.

Class of 1972. Lawrence Recla (bottom row, three from the right) graduated with a Masters of Divinity.

McKinney's recent research in the Seminary Archives features historical connections between Recla, Professor Eric Gritsch, and the Rev. Dr. Donald R. Heiges, Seminary President from 1962-1976. Images from our photograph collection are also featured, exemplifying the power that archival repositories have in bringing history and stories to life in our community and beyond it. A paperback copy of Jesusmania! may be purchased at the Gettysburg College Bookstore or online here.

McKinney shares his experience research and writing the book in the fall 2016 issue of Friends of Musselman Library newsletter which can be read online here. Also included in this issue is Rev. Recla's experience serving eight months as a chaplain at Ground Zero. In honor of the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Recla recently donated his collection of related artifacts and documents to the Musselman Library that are currently on exhibit in "Remembering 9/12: Rescue and Recovery at Ground Zero" which will be on display until December 19th.

Looking for a specific class photo? Want to learn more about Seminary and Gettysburg history? Contact Assistant Archivist Sheila Joy by email at sjoy@ltsg.edu or by phone at 717- 339-1317.