best ever
by J. T. on 10/27/19San Jose Center for the Performing Arts - San Josebest eved for this show. First was 50 years ago. Great actors.
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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.
best eved for this show. First was 50 years ago. Great actors.
I've seen the play about 6 times which I loved I really really like the new format as always a fan of the play even with the updated parts Herod was crazy cool
This was a great rendition. It totally exceeded my expectations! I would see it again!!
Not the Jesus Christ superstar I expected... a different version Not worth going to at all Satanic
Was not taken by the musical. A lot of the why I would not return is the venue. The lighting was not the best on the stage so it was hard to see faces, etc. They added bathrooms on the first floor---sounds like a good idea? Well, you go out a side door manned by ushers, down a few stairs to a paved area. In this area there are two what look like trailers, but long ones. The first thing you notice though, prior to really seeing the trailers is the smell. Yep, these are "upscale" porta potties, but they come complete with the strong smell of porta potties. You go up steps to these trailers into very tight quarters. There are probly 8 stalls inside. Must be very careful when you come out of these stalls as they bang into anyone standing there washing their hands. For ticket prices like this in a venue that is supposed to be upscale....really??? porta potties?? And then refreshments---$12 for a very small very mediocre wine! Anyway, not returning....boo hoo
THE PLAY WAS GOOD, SOMe of the songs were not projected well. but all ii all it was good. i enjoyed it. i saw the orginal 50 yrs ago in NYC with Ben Vereen. the razzle & dazzle in NY is nothing like it. This was missing in this play. King Herod could of been more of a showman...
That’s about all I can say “It was okay”. It was a little disappointing Jesus with a bun instead of his hair down and the ending could have been so much better with the resurrection at the end with the entire cast singing Jesus Christ Superstar.
When this album came out I was 10 years old and my teacher played it in class I loved it then and love the music now. Actors that played Mary and Judas had OUTSTANDING VOICES. They stole the show!
Great revamped venue for the iconic rock opera version 2019. It was a good rendered great performance thank to the choreography and staging. That evening, the full-fledged musical was delivered but to many, the dance was the narrative. Unexpected.
I've seen this show many times, but this was a phenomenal updated version with the best portrayal of Jesus that I've seen yet.
Unconventional take like the live TV special with urban look and dress; moreover, the main performers sing with corded mikes and occasionally play guitar. This gives it a different feel. Some may love it; some not. But that's more a preference thing or a pre-judgement, I think, if you're accustomed to the original production and movie and expect more of the same. It's relatively fast-paced with extensive, varied, and sometimes frantic choreography that keeps the cast moving through all the numbers. You can't have a great JCS without an outstanding Judas vocal, an expressive Jesus that moves you, and Mary Mag. that makes you smile. Mix in a scary-goofy Herod and fine ensemble and this was just a very enjoyable production. Kudos!
I have seen Jesus Christ Superstar many times. This by far was the best version I've seen. The dancing and cast harmonies throughout the show were so tight - and perfectly blended. There wasn't an intermission and the show flowed from song to song to song. The one thing I would have changed is that Jesus should not be playing guitar during his biggest anthem Gethsemane. He was not able to give it total focus as he was singing and playing. Once he put the guitar down - the song soared to it's highest glory. It was also a bit strange that the curtain call was done without music. With such an amazing score that has held up over all the years, it was a bit awkward in silence and I don't feel the actors got the applause that was their due. The music would have allowed the audience to better show appreciation. Great staging, costumes, lighting - wonderful performance.
Having read a review before attending, I then realized it was an updated version. Being a die hard fan and having seen performances over the decades, I feared a lot would be lost. However this performance "exceeded expectations"! It was integral that the music and lyrics remained the same. That allowed for the rest to be changed. The energy generated by the aerobic choreography was palpable. At times it beautifully complemented what was being said at that time. The emotions of this story were not lost in the update. The beating and crucifiction were handled well - serious yet emotionally easier for an audience to view. Judas's and Mary's voices were powerful. I highly recommend seeing this version of JC Superstar.
Loved the show. Music sounded wonderful. Bought 4th row seats. Glad I did.
an excellent performance by a company of performers that were excellent individually as well as a group; we really enjoyed what was a memorable show
An experience that went beyond my expectation. I wanted to see it again as soon as it was over.
Always love the music, this performance was updated with the dancing, but something was missing. I think the artists lacked that Wow power. Jesus didn't touch the heart, Mary was okay, that's how I felt about this performance.
Sets were perfect and performers excellent. Can not believe the energy Show especially ending so moving it brought me to tears
As Superstar is one of my favorite musicals, wow that music, I am extremely critical of any interpretation. I loved the new staging, the vocals were strong, with standouts in Judas and Pilate. My disappointment was in the staging of Gethsemane (the tictular moment for Jesus) and Superstar ( looked like a “hot mess” and so diminished the Judas role - again, this song is the core of this musical). My grandson said it best, “a play is supposed to move you and this one just didn’t. It was reduced to a rock performance”.
This was one of the best shows I have seen in a very long time! I love the LandMark Theater in Syracuse, such a nice venue for shows....Jesus Christ Superstar is full of energy, emotion, there is not one actor on stage that did not ooze talent....I would love to see this show again! If you have the opportunity, don't miss this one!