Well done this time around
by Rwb on 4/12/24West Herr Auditorium Theatre at West Herr Performing Arts Center - RochesterSaw this in 2020 and was very disappointed, but gave it another chance, and this time it was GREAT.
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Jesus Christ Superstar on Tour
The musical-theater version of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice's hit 1970 rock opera gets the passionate revival it has long deserved when the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar comes to the United States. The show's 50th Anniversary Tour offers an emotionally resonant, hard-rocking experience that debuted in London in 2016. Director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie's cutting-edge production won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. The 50th Anniversary Tour marks the first major revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in nearly a decade.
Jesus Christ Superstar Background
Jesus Christ Superstar originated as a high-concept rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice in 1970 and sold more than 7 million copies by 1983. Their account of Jesus' last week of life made its Broadway debut as a musical in 1971, dazzling audiences with its stirringly maximal music and minimal dialogue. Two film adaptations followed, in 1973 and 1999, and NBC aired a live concert version, starring John Legend as Jesus, on April 1 (Easter Sunday), 2018.
"This is not your grandmother's Superstar," Catey Sullivan wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times when Timothy Sheader directed the musical in Chicago in 2018. "Drew McOnie's choreography has the explosive feel of barely contained ecstasy, filled with flailing movements that evoke old time tent revivals where snake handlers spoke in tongues and miraculously cured the sick."
The 50th Anniversary Tour production of Jesus Christ Superstar stars actor-singer-songwriter Aaron La Vigne as Jesus, actor-poet James Delisco Beeks as Judas and Jenna Rubaii as Mary Magdalene. You'll shout hallelujah! during the onstage rock band's renditions of "This Jesus Must Die," "I Don't Know How to Love Him" and "Superstar." And when one of the Pharisees sings, "One thing I'll say for him, Jesus is cool," you will take him at his word.
Saw this in 2020 and was very disappointed, but gave it another chance, and this time it was GREAT.
I was first introduced to Jesus Christ Superstar in the 1970's as a young child, this performance lived up to my first experience. It recreated all the emotions I felt the first time. I was able to recall almost all the words to the songs. The performers were superb.
The 50th Anniversary presentation was just as good as the one I saw at the RBTL in 2021 and a couple of times in the 1970’s phenomenal! The tour had some very strong and talented actresses/actors and I enjoyed the evening!
Dancing was good, but was disappointed. I could not understand the words when they wee singing except for the lady who portrayed Mary. My friends said they also could not hear the words of the songs. I actually went home and watched it on YouTube so I would understand the point of the show.
Excellent show with excellent performers. Loved the dancing and artistic interpretation.
I saw original show on Broadway in the early 70s. This production was a close second. It was magnificent, thrilling, heartbreaking. The actors were authentic and so, so talented. Wonderful soaring vocals! And the orchestra was wonderful too. I loved every minute of it and was sorry when it came to an end. I wish these talented actors, crew, and orchestra much success in their careers.
This was our first time at the Hershey Theater. It is a gorgeous venue, easy to get to, and the parking is also convenient. Staff was very helpful, the show was incredible. I would definitely go to more shows at the Hershey theater.
Saw JC Superstar live in Reading, PA. First time live but really enjoyed it. The actors were superb with an amazing gift of music. Stage/setting was creative, lights were dazzling and costumes super fun and modern. Was concerned about a couple of scenes (Judas' death and the crucifixion) but both handled tastefully - even for young audiences. Why not 5 stars? There was no intermission and no cameras allowed. Not sure if either is the norm for JC, but have been to many live shows and never had either be a problem.
The show instantly transformed me back to the 70s when I first saw the show. Loved the set and the performance but, man the seats at Hershey were tight.
I absolutely loved every minute of it. It was so modern yet so true to the real story. There’s no need to go to New York City when a Company like this comes to Hershey!
Saw this show several times. This was a good show but the weakest one I've seen. I was distracted by the use of handheld microphones and guitars. The choreography was redundant and mostly reminded me of Michael Jackson's Thriller movements. Mary and Judas were excellent. Loved the set. The instrumentalists stole the show.
The music and voices were good. The set was underwhelming, but considering the small stage and venue I guess in hindsight it shouldn't have been unexpected. I had seen it before in DC and MD where it had extraordinary scenery, so I was kind of disappointed.
From the staging to the singing, dancing, lighting, costumes, musicians. You name it and it was beautifully done. We were ecstatic.
This was the 50th anniversary tour. It was a new take on the show, but it really surpassed expectations. The voices and actors were wonderful.
We enjoyed the interpretation, dancing and scenery. The music was a huge disappointment. This is a rock opera and the music should be front and center. At times, we could not hear who was singing or what they were singing. At times they were singing so fast, the words were mushed together. Timing was off. Could not understand what they were saying, except we already knew the words. We were very disappointed. Of course, King Herod was the redeeming character!!
I grew up in the 1970’s so I know this musical by heart! It’s a contemporary piece that is a masterpiece by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. A very open mind is necessary to understand and learn the message of Jesus’s journey and rising. A must see!
Jesus Christ Superstar was an awesome show. I saw the show 50 years ago and this time around was just as great. Music and singing was top notch. The lead characters were wonderful. I would definitely recommend this show.
This was more like a review than the full rock opera play. The cast is talented and does a fine job, although it is mostly impersonations or impressions of the original cast. The exception is Herod, whose take on the character was fun even if there wasn’t much support for his interpretation in the staging, choreography, or music. Pilate was also a standout for me, although more traditional. The stage, by necessity is small and that means a pretty static show, but it still manages a few impactful moments. I very much enjoyed it.
This show was absolutely fantastic!! The choreography was outstanding and those singers!!! Wow what voices!! It was an excellent show!
I saw the original show on Broadway, this was in most ways very similar, the singing in several areas was just plain screaming which made the words unintelligible. The actors costumes were basically old street clothes, wish they were more realistic to the people they were portraying.