All right Tiff . . . I am finally writing that review.
I went to see JCS on November 11th in Columbia, SC for the 2pm show. When I walked in, there was no curtain, so the stage was there for all to see. The first thing that struck me was how minimalistic the set was (it made RENT look like a lavish production).
Now to the actual show:
Once that electric guitar started in the Overture, I got chills. To me, Webber is one of the best writers of overtures (along with Richard Rodgers). The first thing that happens on stage is during this overture, when the "Jews" come on stage and they have a hand to hand slow motion battle with the "Romans." It sounds corny, but I thought it was done in a neat way. The only problem I had was that the guy beside me was explaining to his wife who was who and what they were doing (Come on lady . . . even those that never read the Bible know what is going on).
When Ted Neeley walked on stage, the first reaction I had was, "God, he looks old." But, the first person that sings is Judas (which most of you know is my all time DREAM ROLE) and I was severely disappointed by Cory Glover's vocals, who sounded very hoarse. When he was in his lower register, he was fine but when he tried to hit the high "glory" notes, he screeched severely off key that made everyone around me (including me) gasp. When I heard "Heaven on their Minds" I thought to myself that I am in for one lousy evening. The only song that he sounded pretty good on, was "Superstar" but by the time, I was wishing that the man who played Peter would have done the role of Judas.
But, in "What's the Buzz," the very beautiful Christine Rea-Briskin (Mary Magdalene) comes on stage and opens her mouth to sing, I knew it would be okay. I am not joking when I say that she has the best vocals of any Mary I have heard (and I have heard many). Every time she sang, I wanted to stand and give her a huge applause.
Ted Neeley came on stage and started singing and he sounded exactly like he did in the film version of JCS, but a little less intense. He really didn't get started until "The Temple" when he sings "GET OUT!!!" and holds that high note. Automatically everyone jumped to their feet. And his "Gethsemane" was
VERY intense and at the end of the song, he was given a well deserved 2 minute or so standing ovation. And might I add that when I am 60 . . . whatever he is, that I am that fit and able to fall, be thrown on the ground, tossed in every direction, and still be fine enough to hit super high notes.
The other person I need to give a shout out to, is Larry Alan Coke (Caiaphas). When he started singing, I swear that everyone in the theatre moistened their seat. Talk about a true bass, GOOD LORD!
The direction and set was kind of a let down. All they did was walk up stairs and back down them and then up them and then down them. When they were on the ground, they just pretty much walked in circles. The only time the direction got pretty good was towards the end when Jesus is beaten, Judas hangs himself, and Jesus is crucified (Again, I have to give props to Ted for being 65 and going through all that).
The costumes were better than the the gay club romp that is the the newer dvd version. And it is also better than the disco bell bottoms of the major film release. If I was to do a movie version of the show now, I would use pretty much what was done in the tour (more of a time period look).
All in all, I loved this show. Again, there were a few missteps (Judas, some of the direction, the set). But the good (Ted, Christine, Larry, and the supporting cast) outweigh the bad and made this a very fun trip to the theatre.
*** 1/2 out of *****
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
Updated On: 12/1/06 at 04:27 PM
