***** Highly Recommended ***** There just aren’t enough superlatives! The 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar is a must-see! I have loved the music of Jesus Christ Superstar since I first heard the album back in the’70s. I loved it so much I got a babysitter so I could see the first touring production in 1971! In fact, any time JCS is playing in the greater Chicago area, I’m there! Don’t miss it! 4 Spotlights
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, centered on the tortured love-hate feelings Judas Iscariot has for Jesus of Nazareth. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.
The set consists of a kind of two-level portico, divided just off center by a ramp. The orchestra, Music Direction by Shawn Gough, is on the upper level, with the action mostly on the lower level. The show opens with a single spotlight on a guitar, a piercing guitar riff, and the Overture. Surprising almost everyone in the audience, the entire cast ran up the aisles and leapt onto the stage during the Overture! Kudos to Director Timothy Sheader and the entire cast and crew.
Although the title is Jesus Christ Superstar, in my opinion, Judas (Omar Lopez Cepero) is the star of the show! His jealousy, angst and rationalizations for his betrayal makes for an actor’s dream part – and he has some of the best songs. And by the way, he’s the one who dubbed Jesus Superstar!
From his portrayal of Jesus as a celebrity connecting with his audience to that of a private man dreading his future, Aaron LaVigne made it seem effortless. After his arrest, his portrayal of a beaten man is astounding. I was in awe when he made his body appear broken – limp and boneless.
Whenever Jesus seems to need a break from the crowds, or his own angst, Mary (Jenny Rubah) is there, offering comfort, singing Everything’s Alright, even in the face of Judas’s jealousy. Mary also sings one of my favorite songs, I Don’t Know How to Love Him.
The villains in Jesus Christ Superstar are Caiaphas (Alvin Crawford) and his sidekick Annas (Tyce Green). The priests who saw Jesus as a threat to their power, congregated on the ramp. Each priest carried a long staff which when turned upside down, might have been microphones (sure looked like them). Dripping vitriol, they debated what to do about Jesus of Nazareth, concluding that he need to die.
When the priests pushed Roman governor, Pilate (Tommy Sherlock), into a ‘permanent’ solution, he passed the problem off to Herod. Wearing whiteface and an enormous cape that’s got to be 20 feet long, Herod (Paul Louis Lessard) stars in the only big production number in Jesus Christ Superstar, Herod’s Song. Ripping off the cape to reveal a sparkly black tail-coat with white lapels, Herod taunts Jesus on his humiliating downfall and sends him back to Pilate.
Struggling to find another solution, Pilate orders a beating in Trial by Pilate/39 Lashes. In a unique bit of staging, with Jesus tied, the guards took turns simulating a beating by throwing handfuls of gold glitter on Jesus’ back as the ensemble counts. As the mob chants ‘crucify him’ Pilate finally sentences Jesus to die.
The ensemble – apostles, worshippers, guards, priests, Pilate’s sycophants – seem to be dancing constantly. Kudos to Drew McOnie for the fabulous choreography.
The Ensemble: David André, Giuliana Augello, Hope Easterbrook, Brian Golub, Brittany Rose Hammond, Garfield Hammonds, Quiana Holmes, Darrell T. Joe, Sheila Jones, Jacob Lacopo, Eric A. Lewis, Paul Louis Lessard, Tommy McDowell, Jenny Mollett, Sarah Parker, Erick Patrick, Sandy Redd.
I've always thought that Jesus Christ Superstar, with its modern slang and attitudes, works best in a production without a lot of frills – in other words – stripped down to the music, but this production proved me wrong.
Note: Masks are strongly recommended for all audience members throughout the theatre.
Jesus Christ Superstar runs through July 31st at Broadway in Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago. Running time is 90 minutes, no intermission.
Remaining performances are:
- Saturday, July 23 at 2 pm and 8:00 pm
- Sunday, July 24 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
- Tuesday, July 26 at 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, July 27 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
- Thursday, July 28 at 7:30 pm
- Friday, July 29 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, July 30 at 2 pm and 8 pm
- Sunday, July 31 at 2 pm
Tickets range from $27 - $98. FYI (800) 775- 2000 or www.BroadwayInChicago.com.