#1
Posted: 10/23/04 at 6:38pm
Hey everyone!! Some of you wanted to know my thoughts on the current tour of "JCS". I just got back and here are my thoughts while they're still fresh in memory.
If any of you have seen the recent filmed version for PBS with Glenn Carter, the staging is similar to that. The cross blinded the audience (literally) when it appeared at the end of the Overture. There were some great inside things as well, with the temple scene utilizing Wall Street-like Stock Market marquees (Inclome was on there, and names that reminded me of email or chat group posters... example, rentactr. The cast was very young and energetic and they looked like they were having a blast up there.
Lawrence Clayton portrayed 'Judas' and the minute he opened his mouth to sing "Heaven On Their Minds", this big, enveloping sound came out, and the audience gave him the ovation worthy of it. He commanded the role in a very skillful way. I saw him as the weary follower, and when he finally realizes the outcome of his actions, he fell to his knees with a sob. He truly owned "Superstar", and I like the fact that he didn't embellish a lot of his notes as I've heard others do. He let the music speak for itself.
Eric Kunze as Jesus: It was a ten year reunion for him and me. I joked with him at the stage door that I saw him ten years ago at the very theatre when I was 19 for "Miss Saigon", now I'm 29 and here for "JCS", and he said, "I'll come back in another ten years when you're 39 and I'm hopefully still alive".
He gave Jesus a compassionate approach. I enjoyed the fact that he made Jesus more human. For those of us who are Christians, we tend to read of him as aloof and standoffish, but Jesus was human, with feelings, etc. His vocals soared and "Gethsemane" rocked the house, getting a thunderous ovation, and a standing o for Mr. Kunze at the end.
Natalie Toro as "Mary Magdalene". I don't know what someone on this board was smoking when they said she was awful in this role. She turned the role of "Mary" (and now I'm taking this from the magic hippie bus movie) from a whiny, no emotion singer, to a woman with deep concern for this man, and you heard it in her voice. I was in row E and watched her intently. She has "IT" and I recommend you get her CD. I met her at the stage door and she called me "sweetie" 5 times, and she was so gracious to help take pics as well... so we're like this now.
Lawson Skala as "Caiaphas"... oh my god... the man is tall and has a bass voice that reaches beyond the floor and a sweet man at the stage door-- the opposite of the character!! Raymond Patterson as "Pilate".... did he sing the h*** out of that part!! Daniel Guzman as "Herod".... now that's what I call a role... come in, sing a showstopping number, walk off (it's like "Les Miz" but without dying after you're number), and a great guy at the stage door. Rocky Rodriguez was the understudy for "Annas" and he has a tenor voice from the stratosphere.
Everyone involved with the show did a wonderful job, and I've never left the theatre feeling more excited. If you get a chance, please see the production. It's so worth it, and they were taking donations for BC/EFA... so go them!!!
And if any of the cast and crew are reading this... thank you for making my Saturday afternoon a much happier one!! I wish you much success with the rest of the tour, and your life both personal and professional!! God Bless You All!!
Peace,
Paul
If any of you have seen the recent filmed version for PBS with Glenn Carter, the staging is similar to that. The cross blinded the audience (literally) when it appeared at the end of the Overture. There were some great inside things as well, with the temple scene utilizing Wall Street-like Stock Market marquees (Inclome was on there, and names that reminded me of email or chat group posters... example, rentactr. The cast was very young and energetic and they looked like they were having a blast up there.
Lawrence Clayton portrayed 'Judas' and the minute he opened his mouth to sing "Heaven On Their Minds", this big, enveloping sound came out, and the audience gave him the ovation worthy of it. He commanded the role in a very skillful way. I saw him as the weary follower, and when he finally realizes the outcome of his actions, he fell to his knees with a sob. He truly owned "Superstar", and I like the fact that he didn't embellish a lot of his notes as I've heard others do. He let the music speak for itself.
Eric Kunze as Jesus: It was a ten year reunion for him and me. I joked with him at the stage door that I saw him ten years ago at the very theatre when I was 19 for "Miss Saigon", now I'm 29 and here for "JCS", and he said, "I'll come back in another ten years when you're 39 and I'm hopefully still alive".
He gave Jesus a compassionate approach. I enjoyed the fact that he made Jesus more human. For those of us who are Christians, we tend to read of him as aloof and standoffish, but Jesus was human, with feelings, etc. His vocals soared and "Gethsemane" rocked the house, getting a thunderous ovation, and a standing o for Mr. Kunze at the end. Natalie Toro as "Mary Magdalene". I don't know what someone on this board was smoking when they said she was awful in this role. She turned the role of "Mary" (and now I'm taking this from the magic hippie bus movie) from a whiny, no emotion singer, to a woman with deep concern for this man, and you heard it in her voice. I was in row E and watched her intently. She has "IT" and I recommend you get her CD. I met her at the stage door and she called me "sweetie" 5 times, and she was so gracious to help take pics as well... so we're like this now.
Lawson Skala as "Caiaphas"... oh my god... the man is tall and has a bass voice that reaches beyond the floor and a sweet man at the stage door-- the opposite of the character!! Raymond Patterson as "Pilate".... did he sing the h*** out of that part!! Daniel Guzman as "Herod".... now that's what I call a role... come in, sing a showstopping number, walk off (it's like "Les Miz" but without dying after you're number), and a great guy at the stage door. Rocky Rodriguez was the understudy for "Annas" and he has a tenor voice from the stratosphere.
Everyone involved with the show did a wonderful job, and I've never left the theatre feeling more excited. If you get a chance, please see the production. It's so worth it, and they were taking donations for BC/EFA... so go them!!!
And if any of the cast and crew are reading this... thank you for making my Saturday afternoon a much happier one!! I wish you much success with the rest of the tour, and your life both personal and professional!! God Bless You All!!
Peace,
Paul
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