Inspired by the runaway success of Rock of Ages and Hamilton, rocker Jon Bon Jovi has set his sights on Broadway. His controversial new musical is called Livin’ on a Prayer, and it tells an unconventional version of the life of Jesus Christ.
“Ever since I read The DaVinci Code, I’ve been fascinated by the relationship of Jesus and Mary Magdalene,” says Bon Jovi. “If they were actually husband and wife, what would their lives have been like? How did they divvy up the chores? Who did the laundry? Well, I decided to explore these ideas in the best way I know how: through my own music!”
So instead of religion or philosophy, Livin’ on a Prayer focuses on the busy domestic lives of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. It tells the story entirely through Bon Jovi songs, from “Runaway” to “Wanted: Dead or Alive.” The casting of pop stars Justin Bieber and Rihanna as Jesus and Mary raised eyebrows when it was first announced, but Bon Jovi feels they are perfect for the roles.
Says Bon Jovi, “Look, some people are going to get bent out of shape whenever you try to do something new. I’ve heard all the complaints. ‘Jesus didn’t have that many crappy tattoos! Mary Magdalene would never pierce her nipples!’ All I’m saying is, we don’t have any actual photos of them. Maybe Jesus and Mary did have tats and body piercings! We just can’t be sure.”
In order to make the musical more relevant to modern audiences, Bon Jovi has introduced two new characters into the mix: Jesus’ and Mary’s rambunctious, sassy children Luther and Lil’ Mary. As played by Jaden and Willow Smith, the kids inject a playful energy and youthful attitude into the proceedings. “It’s like the New Testament meets The Simpsons!” Bon Jovi enthuses.
The New Jersey rocker has made a few other changes to the traditional Biblical story, as well. In Livin’ on a Prayer, Jesus’ parents Joseph and Mary have been divorced for many years and spend much of their time on stage bickering hilariously. Former Brat Packers Chad Lowe and Molly Ringwald bring the couple to life, highlighted by a showstopping version of “You Give Love a Bad Name.” The Virgin Mary’s even got a new boyfriend in this version of the story—a randy, fun-loving accountant played by George Lopez.
The other major change involves the character of Pontius Pilate. “I felt that Pilate was just too much of a one-dimensional villain in the original story,” explains Bon Jovi. “So I tweaked it a bit. Now, Pilate is Jesus’ and Mary’s nosy neighbor. He may be the prefect from Rome, but he still gets annoyed when the kids play their music too loud!” Preview audiences have been raving about Bruno Mars’ performance as Pilate, especially his gripping rendition of “Bad Medicine” that closes the first act.
The show opens on Broadway in a few weeks. It’s already among the hottest tickets in the Big Apple, with audiences eager to get a glimpse of the top stars in music playing the Bible’s best-loved personalities. Whether Bon Jovi’s take on Biblical history can sustain the momentum remains to be seen. Will it become a monster hit like Jesus Christ Superstar or an be remembered as an ambitious failure like Methuselah and the Chimney Sweeps? Only time will tell.
Is it true that Kanye might play Barabbas? He’s so dangerous the way he just does whatever he wants, it’s like the part was made for him.