The Baby Backstage

Last year, on our third night in Lucca, my mother and I found ourselves
lost and on an unfamiliar bus. It seemed to be a night of frustration. But
on the bus, hanging from the ceiling was a small poster advertisement for
Jesus Christ Superstar in Firenze, with none other than Ted Neeley!

ome people say that there are no

coincidences. And I, for one, am a
believer in this thought. I grew up
in Southern California in the 70's.
My mother was a fan of musicals and rock
operas. But one rock opera stole her heart in
1972 Jesus Christ Superstar (JCS)
starring Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson. Ted
also lived in Southern California. He
performed in our theaters, walked our
streets, and shopped in our stores. Ted
Neeley and JCS were iconic.
JCS, for my mother, was more than just a
rock opera. It was a movement. I can't count
how many times we watched the video at
home, learning and singing along to every
note and word. It was a tradition. I eventually grew up, got married, and had four children of my own. Little did I know that my
mother would pass on the love of JCS to my
children as well.
My oldest daughter, Sasha, born in 1993,
was quiet and sweet, smart and curious. She
was also a fast fan of the beloved JCS and
Ted Neeley. By the time Sasha was one year
old, she had mastered Mary's role, in song
and act. A blue scarf would serve as her costume day after day, and she too joined the
ranks as a raving JCS fan, firmly believing
that Ted Neeley was in fact, Jesus himself.
When the production came to Universal
Amphitheater in Universal City, California,
we purchased tickets for our entire family.
With Baby Sasha in my arms, dressed in her
hippie clothes, and my mom next to me,
we watched the performance with awe and
delight, Sasha singing and dancing along
with the cast.
After the performance the theatre emptied,
and with little Sasha in my arms I made my

19

way to one of the backstage doors. The man

guarding the door looked at my daughter
and then to me, as I politely asked, Would
you please let us backstage? My daughter
really believes that Ted is Jesus and she
would love to see him. The doorman
stopped, smiled and opened the door just
enough for me to squeeze through. I reached
back, grabbed my mother's arm, and pulled
her through that magical door with me.
Like Alice in the rabbit hole, we were
immediately transported to a lively, active,
after party. Cast members laughing and
dancing, singing and playing instruments,
every corner showing life and excitement.
And then Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson
were standing before us. We shared stories,
as they held little wide-eyed Sasha in their
arms, kissing her cheeks and basking in her
bright smile of wonder and amazement. It
was a night that my mother and I talked
about for years to come.
///Fast-forward 21 years. Sasha is about to
graduate with a Master's Degree. My mother
recently retired and moved to Lucca, where I
have joined her.
We buy tickets for the performance of
JCS in Firenze!
And so, my mother and I found ourselves
at the show, once again, singing along with
the cast, smiling ear to ear as we reminisced
about Sasha and our story. As the show
ended and people casually left the theater,
my mother and I lingered behind, hoping to
speak to the cast. An hour later, we found ourselves in a familiar situation: exchanging
laughter and insight with Ted Neeley. We
told him the story of sneaking Sasha backstage in 1994 in L.A., and suddenly Ted
stopped us, took my mother's hand and said

sweetly, I know you. He told us that night

had changed his life. It was the only time a
baby had been backstage, ever. He and Carl
had spoken about the importance of portraying such recognizable characters. They realized that night, with this baby in their arms,
that their responsibility was great and would
always be. This story of the the baby backstage would become one that Ted repeated
often, to his cast, crew, fans and family.
Coincidence? I would say serendipity.
For that night, as Ted held my mother's hand
and spoke, I listened intently, watching how
their eyes lit up with smiles, and trying to
forever capture the memory; as Ted and
Carl had done 21 years ago. For this night
was our moment, our realization, that life is
short, dreams are important, fate often leads
the way, and PEOPLE MATTER.
I will always remember this experience
with my mom, always be thankful for the
amazing adventures that we have been on
together and hope and wish for more. And,
like Ted said, I know you. I hope as we
spend our time in Italy, to be able to make
remarkable new friendships and experiences that spark me to retell a story, to
smile more and to live more fully.
Thank you Ted Neeley, for your performances, but most of all for your genuine
kindness and warm wishes forever a part
of our story.
by Marcella Smith

Tuscanys GRAPEVINE Magazine February 2016