Ted Neeley Appears At Temecula Valley Film Festival At Temecula Cinemas: 'Jesus Christ Superstar' Screening

TEMECULA, CA — The Temecula Valley Film Festival in Temecula is once again arriving in town from Friday to Sunday with special showings, unique features, and special guest appearances.

On Friday, the original feature film version of "Jesus Christ Superstar," a spokesperson for the event told Patch. The film will be shown at the Tristone Temeku Cinemas, located at 26463 Ynez Road in Temecula. The doors open at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the film's starring actor, Ted Neeley, who played Jesus Christ for over 50 years both on stage and on the silver screen, will be there to talk about the film and sign autographs that night, organizers say.

Tickets are still available to the showing, according to the film festival.

Temecula's Local Gist spoke with Neely about his continuing work promoting the film and talking with audiences across the country.

"We do screenings all over the country, and I cannot believe after all this time that people are still interested in the movie," Neeley told Jennifer Boutelle of the Gist. "Every generation has passed it on to their children. We'll see a family of five generations come and see the film. I think I'm dreaming when I see that."

Neeley discussed how the film came to be from its original "brown record," as well as his perceptions of Tim Rice, who wrote the lyrics, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who produced the show. Norman Jewison directed the feature film, which was originally released in 1973.

The film is the story of the last seven days in the life of a man called Jesus, Neely said, based on the perspectives of his friends and his foes.

See it this weekend at the Temecula Valley Film Festival, and purchase tickets to this special event. A two-day all-access pass, excluding Friday night's showing of "Jesus Christ Superstar," is also available.

Over the weekend, see a full complement of entries from filmmakers both local and from across the country.

For more information about ticket blocks, visit the Temecula Valley Film Festival Facebook page.