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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.
Incredible performance! Set design fantastic, choreography superb, performers very gifted! And ever the ushers in the facility were proactive and thoughtful! Very magical!
I had been looking forward to this for many months, and was delighted with the performance. It had been many years since I had seen it the first time, but have listened to the musical score many times through the years. This performance was a total delight, the venue was excellent, and I still have the songs running through my head. Thank you to everyone who had a part in bringing it to San Jose, Ca.
A child of the 70’s, I had thought that ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ was going to be about the life of Christ, rather than the days that lead up to His death. The entire play was on one very dark and solemn set. The main characters were Judas and Christ. Everything was very well done, and the cast was good...just not what was expected.
I enjoyed the show though it was definitely a modern interpretation.. seemed a bit rushed like they were singing faster than normal at times and losing the effect of some of the songs and i didnt get the "man bun" on Aaron LaVigne, every picture of Jesus ever known as always showing long hair and that just kept throwing me off. Jenna Rubah she seems like her voice is able, but I nor the people i came with, were not able to understand a lot of what she was singing because her pronunciation of the words while she was singing was not clear at all
Took my mom for her 80th birthday.Wow is all I can say. The performance of Jesus Christ Superstar was beyond my expectations. The set and costumes were wonderful and the actors portrayed everything to the tee. The music and dancing was fantastic.
As good as i remembered. Jesus Christ Superstar Rocks!
JCS has always been a unique rock-opera. For 50 years it has had the ability to be stylized differently by each director. In this case the director brings in ultra-modern aerobic dance, and is sure we see Jesus through Judas eyes. Which was the original intent of Webber when he wrote it. So you get a Jesus that is not so likable (in Judas eyes). Jesus performance however transcends his character portrayal to levels equal top or exceeding Ted Neely. This is an important revival/tour to see if for no other reason to to witness another interpretation of the work, and absolutely solid performances. Full cast received a standing ovation from 2000 people. And was well deserved.
I'd have some relatives visiting me and they loved it so I did. Great performance, lyrics and live band made it way to cool.
Very good production. Costumes only OK. Choreography jerky. Great singers.
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!
