On this Sunday the read is from the National Catholic Reporter. Here’s an excerpt:

On October 12, 1971, a glitzy, over-the-top performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” opened on Broadway. The critics weren’t thrilled — some called it brash, and (Andrew Lloyd) Webber himself called it vulgar — but thanks to a $1,000,000 advance sale and the attention of religious protesters, the show was already a phenomenon. This month, the show celebrates its 50 anniversary.

Initially, Rice and Webber’s idea for a rock opera passion play didn’t take off — one investor called it the “worst idea in history,” and the 1970 concept album was banned by BBC radio for being sacrilegious. The album met a different fate in the U.S., where it became the bestselling record of 1971.

Read the entire article here.