Really enjoyed this production, which ran almost exactly at 90 minutes with no intermission (as advertised). The tempo of a lot of the songs was slower than what I had been listening to from the 2012 Original Studio Cast Album, so I’m surprised the show didn’t last longer, especially with a few short rounds of applause between songs.
I thought the cast were all quite good, and the clearest voices came from James Delisco Beeks (Judas), Jenna Rubaii (Mary Magdalene), and Tyce Green (Annas). I really enjoyed Aaron LaVigne’s (Jesus) performance who I thought also sang quite well. Tommy Sherlock (Pilate), Alvin Crawford (Caiaphas), and Paul Lewis Lessard (Herod) were great to watch, the latter adorned in the most eclectic and flamboyant garb.
My favorite songs among many were Hosanna, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Herod’s Song, The Last Supper, and Gethsemane. The Trial Before Pilate was a visually stirring moment as the “whips cracked”. And John 19:41 was glorious.
There were however quite a few times when the ensemble were singing (The Temple, for example) that you simply couldn’t understand the lyrics, had you not known ahead of time what they were.
Mentioned in a previous thread the manner of dress (costumes) for the bulk of the cast, which didn’t bother me at all. Choreography was at times near spastic in movements, as well as beautifully done in unison (Simon Zealotes) as if it were a modern dance exercise. This all must be very exhausting for some of them on two-show days. The orchestra (on the second level of the set) were outstanding.
The set itself is massive and all-encompassing, and takes up the entire stage side to side (along with the giant fallen cross) and it’s entire height. It’s impressive, and the variety of lighting effects, not only on the multi-level set, but the large number of rotating spot lights, was phenomenal and striking. The scrim (?) was absolutely gorgeous.
For the most part the audience was engrossed in the performance. But there was one very brief moment of totally unexpected, light yet scattered laughter at the very beginning of the Last Supper scene when the 12 Apostles froze in position like the painting.
The imagery towards the latter part of the show, when Jesus comes out bloodied and battered, was powerful and moved me quite emotionally. The Crucifixion, with the way it’s lighted from behind, was haunting and simply stunning.
It’s easy to recommend this to anyone who has doubts. Don’t miss this when it comes around.
As for souvenirs, I bought the enamel pin, magnet, mug, small wooden cross, and two posters. A note about the posters (they are not 14x22 window cards), is that they’re 18x24. I’ll have to hang it in a place of honor all by itself. I also regret not getting the t-shirt. May have to order it online.
The 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar met and exceeded my expectations.
Updated On: 1/5/20 at 09:51 PM