Novello plots JC Rocks the Soul chronologically from the birth of Jesus through to his death and resurrection. The story is told through the musical hits of rock and soul of the 60’s and 70’s. It begins with a sigh from heaven with the song “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love.” Then God sends his only Son Jesus Christ to save us from a world with little love and compassion. Jesus is sent to us in human form as an infant to be born. The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary, a young maiden who is betrothed to Joseph, that she is to give birth to a son, who is to be our savior with the song “Morning has Broken.” Joseph is devastated to find his betrothed is with child until an angel comes to him in a dream saying, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived.” Mary & Joseph are wed and Mary gives birth to a son naming him Jesus. Joseph is in love with Mary and is in awe of his new family with the song “Mary’s Song” (Danny’s Song).
Years go by and Jesus is an adult; the scene begins with fishermen by a lake in Galilee preparing for a day out. Feeling discouraged with the times, Peter, Andrew, John & James sing, “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.” The first time we see Jesus as an adult is when He is baptized by John with the song “Lean on Me.” The Devil does his part to throw a dagger into the plans of Jesus; after all He is God, but He is also human. The devil attempts to persuade Jesus to come to his side with the song “Why Can’t We Be Friends.” Jesus chases him away and is renewed by angels from heaven who sing “Hit the Road Jack” which makes for the first comical twist in the show. Jesus, who is now baptized and strong, goes out into the world to preach His word. Jesus meets Peter, Andrew, John, & James who hear His word and become His followers. Jesus speaks to them along with a crowd that has gathered by the Sea of Galilee with the song “Bridge over Troubled Water.” The new Apostles gather together to go fishing feeling joyful and seeing life in this new light with the song “I Can See Clearly Now.” Jesus meets Mary Magdalene and others in a crowd with the song “Reach Out.” Jesus gets angry when the Apostles try to keep the children away from Him so He teaches them that the kingdom of God belongs to them with the song “Everything is Beautiful.” Act I ends with Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem with the song “Love Train.”
Act II begins with the Moneychangers in the Temple. Jesus gets angry when He sees them turn the temple into a den of thieves. As He is turning over tables, the crowds along with Jesus sing “For the Love of Money.” The plot begins to thicken when the High Priests begin to see the power that Jesus is gaining; they then plan to have Him killed. Jesus still preaches in the temple with songs “Put Your Hand in the Hand” and “Teach Your Children Well.” In the meantime, Judas, Apostle of Jesus, is feeling that Jesus’ reign is coming to an end. He meets with the High priests and the Temple Guards on how he can turn Jesus over to them with the song “Drift Away.” Jesus knows what the future holds for Him and shares this with His twelve Apostles at the last supper with the song “Everything I do, I do it for You.” This is also when Jesus predicts Peter’s denial and Judas’ betrayal. Jesus, knowing what is ahead of Him, is feeling sorrowful and very troubled. He retreats with His Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane where He prays to His Father in heaven that, if possible, He might not have to go through the hour of suffering with the song “I Want to Know what Love is.” When Jesus accepts His fate, He returns to find His Apostles sleeping when He is interrupted by the Chief Priests, Temple Guards, Roman Soldiers, and Judas Iscariot. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss with the song “Na, Na, Na, Kiss Him Goodbye.” Jesus is brought before Herod who has heard about Jesus and is zealously longing to see one of His miracles with the comical song “Cool Jerk.” Peter is feeling the pangs of despair when he hears the cock crow; he knows what he has done but knows in his heart that Jesus is the truth and the way. He believes he can’t go on without Jesus with the song “Oh Lord” (Oh Girl). Jesus is taken to Pontius Pilate. Pilate has compassion for Jesus. Attempting to turn around his fate, Pilate presses the crowd to spare the life of Jesus with the song “Day after Day.” Pilate fails, washes his hands, and condemns Jesus to death. The Roman soldiers take Jesus to be crucified. They mock and beat Him before He walks the way carrying the cross. Jesus is crucified to the song “Stairway to Heaven.” After Jesus dies on the cross, He is taken down and carried to His mother. As she holds Him in her arms beaten and lifeless, she sings “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to him. Two days go by; it is Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene runs to where Jesus is buried, weeping, and she sees that the stone has been moved. She then sees a man who in her sorrow thinks is a gardener and asks, “Have you taken my Master?” The man begins to sing “I’ll Stand by You.” Partly through the song Mary recognizes that He is Jesus, she runs to His side. The Play ends with the reprise of “Reach Out, I’ll be There.”
