Jesus Christ Superstar: Dream Cast

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:27pm

If you were a producer and wanted to put together a Definitive Dream Cast version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" together for the Easter holliday, who would you chose to be the characters?

Jesus--Steve Balsamo
Judas--Raul Esparza
Mary--Lea Salonga
Harrod--Brian D'Arcy James
Pilot--Anthony Warlow
Peter--Adam Pascal
Simon--Michael Arden
Ciaphas--Michael Cerveris

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:29pm

I think I'd like to see Jim Dale as Herod.

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:37pm

In your list, why does Raul, with a "baritenor" range, have a part that requires notes far above tenor C?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:40pm

He has a sick falsetto.

Back when rumor had it that the Actors' Fund concert was gonna be JCS, I had my fingers crossed for Raul as Jesus and Adam as Judas. :) For the sake of the vocals, at the very least.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:40pm

Adam...Pascal?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:41pm

mhmm. Vocally, at the very least.

[timote316]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:41pm

That would be beyond amazing, emcee.

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:43pm

But why cast someone who would need to slip into falsetto various times when you could cast a true tenor who wouldn't have to?

The timbre of Adam's voice (and his range, if he can find a way to consistently hit high notes) is perfectly suited to the character of Judas. Too bad he doesn't like the show.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:44pm

Wait, I'm confused. I could obviously be very wrong on this, but does baritenor mean you have part but not all of a tenor range while dipping into both, the former while having all of a baritone range, or does it mean you can sing both parts?

Raul's voice is pretty damned high....

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:47pm

Wait, I'm confused. I could obviously be very wrong on this, but does baritenor mean you have part but not all of a tenor range while dipping into both, the former while having all of a baritone range, or does it mean you can sing both parts?

I always thought it was the former. I could be misinformed, though.

"Judas's Death" features a high D -- I would imagine Raul would have to resort to falsetto for that (although, to be fair, it's probably what most would consider optional, considering Anderson never went for it). Updated On: 4/12/06 at 11:47 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:51pm

Marc Kudisch as Pilate?

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:56pm

I think, aside from the fact that it's kind of a vocal part that's defined out of convenience, "baritenors" have a baritone vocal timbre but can extend into the tenor range. So they *can* hit tenor notes, but they have a heavier, more baritonal sound than a typical tenor.

From what little I've heard, Raul is too much of a baritone to play Judas. Updated On: 4/12/06 at 11:56 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/12/06 at 11:59pm

Mano's a tenor.... he played Judas.....

Just kidding.

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:00am

So they *can* hit tenor notes, but they have a heavier, more baritonal sound than a typical tenor.

Can they hit high tenor notes, though? For example, could your typical "baritenor" hit tenor C? I was under the impression that they were mainly baritones with some tenor range, but not full tenor range.

Again, I could be wrong. Sorry to be a pain -- I'm honestly curious as to the correct definition myself.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:08am

I would not be opposed to Jeremy Kushnier (sp?) or Drew Sarich as Judas in my dream cast.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:11am

The official definition:

A baritenor is a male voice having a tessitura between the baritone and the tenor. The term isn't commonly used as baritones can have extension. A baritenor is closest in tessitura to the heldentenor, a special tenor having a thick-baritone lower register. The baritenor's voice is more lyrical in quality, and usually cannot pitch as high. Range is A2-B4.

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:20am

From what I've heard of him, Kushnier would make a great Judas. Judas should have an angry, rough edge to his voice.

Thanks, Calvin.
Updated On: 4/13/06 at 12:20 AM

[thespian geek]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:35am

Kushnier played Judas (opposite Ryan Link as Jesus) in a production in Kansas City. My friend saw it and thought they were both phenomenal.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:49am

I would keep Tony Vincent in the Role of Judas. His Heaven on Their Minds was sickly amazing. I'd love to see Sutton as Mary as well. I also wonder if Hugh Panaro could a rock tone to his voice because he'd be an intresting judas I think.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 12:55am

Drew>https://www.drewsarich-page.net/RM/gethsemane.mp3">Drew Sarich - "Gethsemane"

It's from a live concert he did. Obviously not him singing as Judas, but hey.. I wouldn't complain about seeing him as Jesus, either.

[rock00]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 1:32am

"I also wonder if Hugh Panaro could a rock tone to his voice because he'd be an intresting judas I think."

FYI, Hugh played Jesus many years ago and was phenominal in the part. I don't know that his voice has the edge for Judas, but his tenor is perfect for Gethsemane and the high parts that Jesus has.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 1:43am

Let's try that again, shall we?

http://www.drewsarich-page.net/RM/gethsemane.mp3

Drew Sarich singing "Gethsemane" from JCS.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 1:50am

Thespian, I love you.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 2:17am

Because you hadn't heard that yet or because I'm spreading Drew love everywhere?

[??]

Posted: 4/13/06 at 8:21am

No offense to you Spider, but I just cannot understand what people see in Steve Balsamo? He really could not sing the role....as in live, he was terrible. He is lucky that technology exists to overdub his voice. Trust me people, Steve Balsamo needs never to go near Jesus again.

Jesus: Ted Neeley (understudied by Danny Zolli)
Judas: Lawrence Clayton





Caiaphas: Lawson Skala people....freeeaaakkkyyyy