Jesus Christ SuperStar
Jesus Christ Superstar, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is a captivating rock opera that presents a contemporary interpretation of the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. The production, centered around Judas's perspective, features a fusion of rock and Woodstock-inspired music, creating a vibrant and modern portrayal of this timeless story. Tim Rice's production looked at Jesus through the eyes of Judas, who saw Jesus as nothing more than a moral man. With deliberate anachronisms, the electrifying performance of Jesus Christ Superstar transcends time, immersing the audience in a fictional, thought-provoking exploration of what might have transpired in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ Superstar marked the grand finale of BrightSide Theatre's twelfth season, A Season of Passion, with Tim Rice's and Andrew Lloyd Webber's captivating rock opera masterpiece. BrightSide is pushing the boundaries with this fast-paced, dynamic musical composition, making it a challenging yet exhilarating musical for them to take on. I commend their efforts to achieve this extraordinary feat; however, it ultimately proved too overwhelming for this mid-size theater company. Jesus Christ SuperStar overflowed with lively dance numbers, vibrant singing, and actors making dramatic entrances from the aisles. However, despite the outstanding dynamic elements of Tim Rice's narrative, this performance lacked emotional depth. It failed to engage with this powerful musical narrative fully, and the choreography in the first act felt mechanical and didn't exude the vibrant energy of the original musical.
Additionally, the lead actor, Edward MacLennan, who played Jesus of Nazareth, seemed inept for the role, lacking the charisma, visual image, or depiction of a Son of Man, and his singing could have hit better notes. Michael Davis Arnold, who played the role of Judas Iscariot, delivered a respectable performance. However, his singing could have been better in some instances, and the overall cast needed more stage chemistry. Meghan Kessel, singing "I Don't Know How to Love Him," was delightful. Yet, I was highly impressed with veteran actor Jon Cunningham as Pontius Pilate and Caleb Hand's comic act as King Herod. The theater's decision to have the soldiers look like Necromongers from the movie Riddick was bizarre and seemed out of place. The second act provided a captivating presentation of Jesus being whipped, followed by a powerful scene depicting Christ on the cross, serving as a poignant reminder of his sacrifice for the sins of the world. However, the act only partially built up to a climactic finale that would match the intensity of the rock opera, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival production. BrightSide Theatre Season 13, Spells & Superstitions, will venture into performing William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Stephen Schwartz's Pippin — BrightSide Theatre will need more polished acting to pull off these highly acclaimed productions. If they want to reach the next level, Jesus Christ SuperStar needs work.
⭐⭐
BrightSide Theatre
Jesus Christ SuperStar
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
June 7 – 23, 2024
Thanks for visiting Let’s Play. For tickets, click above, and for additional reviews, click below.
