Saw JCS tour
Saw JCS tour
Saw JCS tour#0
Posted: 7/29/03 at 6:58pm
Saturday I saw the JCS tour at the bass hall, after a brilliant dinner of Baked Calimari in Chile Sauce! sory back to theater.
Well I was totally amazed at how great the cast was. Judas was one of the best wvoices I have heard in a very long time, and he didnt try to put to much character in the role as the guy from the new movie did.
The new jesus is pretty dang good to. Little bit to non rock for me, be he pulled of gethsamne and got a partial standing o.
The pharasee's and Pilate, rocked my socks, and I can't wait till spring when I will hopefully be playing Caiphus.
Also Mary M... OMG best I have ever heard vocally and she had the look I was just falling in love. NATALIE TORO, perfect example of the wonders of stage makeup and costuming, cuz when I saw her after the show, I wondered WHAT HAPPENED? Anyways, if it comes to a town near ya, then look out for it and see it. It will be worth your 30-80 bucks.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: Saw JCS tour#1
Posted: 7/29/03 at 6:59pm
Yay for Natalie Toro!
sorry. I felt the need to post on Stevos. 
LOL
Updated On: 7/29/03 at 06:59 PM
re: re: Saw JCS tour#2
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:01pm
I thought the guy playing Judas WAS the guy from the movie.
And WHO IS playing Jesus now since Mr. Rock n Roll left???
Joined: 12/31/69
re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#3
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:03pmI saw the tour as well with Sebastian Bach though, and he was scary. I saw Natalie and she was great, nice voice. The Judas WAS Carl Anderson from the Movie. He's STILL playing the role after all these years, unless he moved on and someone took over for him...
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#5
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:04pm
oh... I re-read broadwayguy2's post... he said the NEW movie - I assume he's referring to the movie of the stage version.
I saw Natalie Toro in Evita (the 25th anniversary tour), she was quite good!
Joined: 12/31/69
re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#6
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:06pm
I saw the Evita tour with Natalie and Raul Exparza, except it was Wednesday so the other Evita went on.
For shows like
Evita
Kim in Saigon
Jekyll and Hyde
Christine in Phantom
they always have the main character play it 6 shows and the other actor the matinee shows.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
Saw JCS tour#7
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:08pm
I'm waiting for this to come to the TBPAC. I just have to see it one more time to know if Jesus is a still a "gun fighter". The last tour I saw they had a mike in a holster for Jesus that he wore under is arm. Every time he sang, he has to grab that mike and I swear it looked like he was going for a gun.
I don't know if they were having some kind of problem and that was the only show he did that or if that's every show since I only saw it once.
So please tell me--is he still quick on the draw? LOL!
D
Updated On: 7/29/03 at 07:08 PM
Joined: 12/31/69
re: Saw JCS tour#8
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:09pmNo No, they have "Rent" style mics, to handle all the screaming and belting that goes on. Sorry, no gun-slinger-Jesus, lol.
re: re: Saw JCS tour#9
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:19pm
I saw the "other evita" too on that tour when I was visiting my friend in Boston.
I live in Philly and the other evita (Anna Maria something or other) just played her at the Walnut Street Theatre's run of the show. She was really good!! But the show wasn't... The director wanted to NOT do the Harold Prince staging and in my opinion, did things that didn't make sense just because...
Joined: 12/31/69
re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#10
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:22pm
ya she was pretty good, she just didn't belt, really, and Evita's a BELT role...
Patti LuPone
Elaine Paige
Florence Lacey
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#11
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:24pm
In the Broadway production, which the tour is a toned down and reworked version of, the used standard mics for the principal good guys and the priests were in headsite mics similar to the ones in Rent.
On the tour, the y use adjustable miniature microphone headbands.
re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#12
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:32pmI believe King Stevos saw the fantastic Danny Zolli as Judas. The man is amazing. Judas is definitely the part for him - sadly it's the ONLY part for him I think. Well, Judas and Jesus anyway.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/12/03
Saw JCS tour#13
Posted: 7/29/03 at 7:33pm
I'm almost sorry to hear that. It made the interesting in a very different way! 
Thanks for letting me know. I've always wondered....
D
re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#14
Posted: 7/29/03 at 11:43pm
I didn't see Danny as Judas, but the reviews were pretty amazing on his site. Don't be too sure that these are the only characters he can play well. You should check out his rock n roll. He did a "mean " Italian Restaurent"...as good as Billy Joel in his good years! Danny also releases his new CD " Sometimes Simple in Best" with Jazz, Blue and Ballads this fall.
He's opening as "Joseph" on Fri.8/1 at Lenape PAC. Marlton,NJ (If I ever get the Press Release finished for the theater it will make it here tomorrow).
David Megg~ I also saw Anna in WST "Evita". She was very good and the direction sure was an odd diversion of Hal Prince. But the talent made up the slack, didn't it?
Stevos~ We joked with Natalie when she came out too. She said "those push up costumes work wonders". She WAS an awesome Mary!
Robactorguy~ Carl will not be returning to the show. He's been ill and will need some time off. I forget his replacement's name, but I'm told he's quite good. AND I think Brian Dennan( original Pilate) has returned to the show. Don't quote me, as I've had an overload of theater info. all week.
Happy Posting!
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#15
Posted: 7/30/03 at 1:54am
Yeah, I think Barry Dennan (not Brian) is in the show as Herod (!)
Pretty cool.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#16
Posted: 7/30/03 at 2:07am
I had heard Barry Dennan had passed away. So when I read your post, Timmerbo, I checked on IMDB and was so glad to see that the rumor was wrong. HE HAS RISEN.
So where the heck has he been?
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#17
Posted: 7/30/03 at 7:25amI'm pretty sure I saw Eric Kunze as Chris in MISS SAIGON on Bwy about 10 years ago.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/03
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#18
Posted: 7/30/03 at 8:50am
I saw the Jesus Christ Superstar tour Sunday in Fort Worth.
Lawrence Clayton played Judas, and since he is the first voice you hear -- it kind of sets the tone of how the show is going go go. From the first notes, I could tell it was going to be good. He had a solid, rich voice and he added riffs that really made the songs his own. "Heaven on Their Minds" was excellent, and I was so happy to see we had a performer who was going to be able to handle the music Judas has to tackle.
During the first few songs, I felt like the actors playing Jesus and Judas weren't putting as much emotion into selling the story as I would have liked -- they were singing it beautifully, but they weren't selling the words or what they were feeling saying them. Then I began to realize that Eric Kunze played Jesus a little more low-key, and not as quick to jump to the anger side or lash out (I had previously seen Glenn Carter portray a more angry, forceful, and passionate Jesus so I think that's what I was initially going on.) I quickly adjusted to Eric's portrayal. Judas also displayed more feeling as the show progressed, and I think he did fine in the scenes where emotion was crucial to the story.
Lawson Skala (Ciaphus) had this deep, powerful, creepy voice - and whenever he was on stage you couldn't help but listen. He commanded every moment he was on stage, and we all laughed at how evil he looked/sounded. We weren't interested in running into him in a dark alley.
Eric (Jesus) had a great voice, but it wasn't until about halfway through Act 1 that we were made aware of just how amazing this guy was. I believe it was in "The Temple" when he let out these heartwrenching notes (that were in an extremely high register) and my jaw dropped -- because it was so controlled and so powerful. He really caught me off guard. Eric has this charisma about him that is magnetizing - and he's incredibly handsome. His stage presence commands attention.
Natalie Torro was a very effective Mary. Her voice was crisp, piercing, and beautiful. For a while, I felt she was one of the only people really "acting" her role -- for there was so much emotion in her words, and she seemed to be making a point of making the audience feel what she was feeling. Todd Fournier (Simon) was the other one that I thought early on was strong in his acting. His performance of "Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem" was almost a showstopper, and vocally he blew me away.
In Act 2, I was looking forward to hearing Eric sing "Gethsemane" because of what I'd heard from him in the first half. He lived up to my expectations -- and finally the emotion I'd wanted to see in his character showed through. The rest of Act 2 was touching and emotional, and Lawrence (Judas) lived up to everything I expect from that character in the final scenes. He had great chemistry with Eric. The scene where they are thrashing Jesus is so hard to watch even though it's just a show. That moment got to me when I saw the Broadway production. I remember I even had to look away.
They changed the staging of the "Superstar" number at the end from the Broadway version. They used to have media screens across the stage that came down, and media crews/reporters onstage filming Jesus (with the images from the camera simultaneously projected onto the screen) symbolizing the modern media frenzy that would undoubtedly have taken place. They got rid of all that, and just simply had Judas and the "Soul Girls" onstage with Jesus, which I thought was much more effective. Your focus was on Jesus carrying the cross -- and the intensity of the moment -- and I think that's how it should be.
The "Crucifixion" was too powerful to even describe. Natalie's (Mary) emotion was so evident, and you could really feel her love for him. The moment where Jesus is on the cross - suffering and screaming to God - was so breathtaking you don't even know what to feel. The audience was completely silent. I had honestly forgotten how emotional and painful that scene was to watch. At least they sang an inspirational chorus at curtain call -- so they didn't leave you on that note.
Overall we were all *very* happy with this production. I know not everyone is a fan of this show or the recent stagings, but I was moved by everything I saw today.
***BTW, Carl Anderson (original Judas) is still listed on the call board, but I know he was out for health reasons. Is he out for good? Or is he just on leave?
Glad someone's on top of all this!#19
Posted: 7/30/03 at 12:12pm
Timm~ BARRY Dennan is Herod! Right you are. Barry was also part of the 20th Anniversay Concert in honor of Tim Rice that took place at Univ. of Tex. El Paso this past April. Barry played Pilate, Danny played Jesus, Chuck Wagner as Caiphias, Ron Bohmer as Judas and the incomparable Yvonne Elliman as Mary.
Danny's run as Judas was a 3 week temp. fill in for Judas. He was called in to rehearse/start in Portland, OR.,but I believe he took over while the show was in Canada for the 2 weeks before the break.
I also saw the tour in Philly with Bach....OYE! This is not my favorite prod. and I dislike Gayle Edwards direction. I prefer the "classic" JCS to the "punk" version. Just my opinion. But the talent does indeed make the show easier to rise above the staging & direction to a point.
Sadly, Carl Anderson is out "indefinetly" until otherwise posted to the best of my knowledge.
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#20
Posted: 7/30/03 at 12:27pmIs this the cast that will come to Cleveland next year?
Joined: 12/31/69
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#21
Posted: 7/30/03 at 4:17pmYes I also noticed Mary's Super Wonder Bra, lol.
re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Saw JCS tour#22
Posted: 7/30/03 at 4:55pm
I dont think you can help but notice the super push up bra.
From the bio you prolly did see eric as Chris. His bio states that he had the fortune to be in staring role for most of the first part of his career on broadway, and that chris was one of the parts.
When my best friend saw eric after the show, she thought he was so hot she actually wanted to follow him back to the hotel...he was attractive, but no mr. vincent. Lmao
Anyways, JCS is one of my favorite shows and I am glad I got see such a wonderfull production.
The movie I was talking about was the 2000 or 2001 video of the stage production with Glenn Carter. I was talking about how I did not like the voice of that judas at times.
STEVOS
Swing Joined: 1/22/04
JCS Review for 1/21/04#23
Posted: 1/22/04 at 12:50pm
JCS Review for 1/21/04/www.musicals.net
January 21, 2004 Wednesday - Miami Beach, Florida.
Jesus/Eric Kunze: Not a lot of stage presence but maybe that’s because I was used to Sebastian who’s really tall and Erics a small guy. Not a lot of Oomph during OVERTURE. Great voice and good acting. Played a more humble and serious Jesus as opposed to Sebs silly and vain (hair flip) Jesus. Gethsemane was GREAT. I missed that face Sebastian makes when Mary has the myrrh (that “phew! That’s strong” look). I loved the “not too clear on why”… he smacks on hand over another…and his “There is not one of you, who cannot win the kingdom” (points to his followers). His “My temple should be” is different. I’m not sure I like it. He grabs his hair off his face a few times which is real sexy. He e-nun-ci-a-tes a-lot too. Sometimes feigns a British accent; he’s from Cali! Good candidate for a Jean Valjean. He dashes after the show fast so he’s hard to catch; doesn’t stick around for fanfare.
Judas/Lawrence Clayton: Great voice. I miss Carl TONS though; Acting was good too. Good interaction and cohesion with others. I hate his “oaken chest”. Likes fanfare.
Mary/Natalie: Great voice; consistent. Nothing new from last year. New dress. No cleavage yeah! Its just TOO MUCH for her!
Pontius Pilate/Stephen Breithaupt: Perfect and consistent throughout the whole production. He has gotten SO much better since I last saw him. TRULY AMAZING. Great interaction with Caiaphas and Annas. Another one of my faves. Great facial expression. LOVE HIM. Saw two shows; the 2nd one he was touching JESUS hair A LOT after the lashing; that seemed kind of unnatural to me. He was STROKING his hair. Tacky. You just KNOW he’s a great JALVERT.
Simon/Todd Fournier: Hate that STRONG improvisation thing (he flexes TWICE) so annoying and distracting, during “ you’re easily as strong”. I liked HIM the least; a lot of overacting; ugh! OK I HATE HIM; Sorry. Too much improvisation. BUT Great voice and great body (no need to flex babe).
Annas/Jeffrey Polk: LOVE HIM; his face and acting are amazing. I love that HUGE GRIN after “But to keep you vultures happy, I shall flog him”. Very consistent. Never once out of character. One of my faves! EXCELLENT interaction with Pilate. This guy is soooo underrated. He brings A LOT to the character. I’m fascinated when I watch him. Love his “Hero of FOOOOLLLSSS”……
Herod/Barry Dennen: PERFECT; Much older than what I’m used but he’s adorable and charming. I like when he is sweet and cute then turns MEAN AND SCARY during “Aren’t you SCARED of me Christ….” ::changes voice:: very impactful. LOVE HIM! Very sweet offstage too. He’s like “yeah I know I ****ed up my line!!! ” Likes fanfare.
Caiphas/Lawson Skala: EXCELLENT facial expressions. Especially when Judas gives in. He too has gotten a lot better. He keeps this character new and fresh. His voice/range are AMAZING. Out of costume he is totally the opposite of his character. But still good looking. AMAZING Voice.
Mary/Natalie: Great voice; consistent. Nothing new from last year. New dress. No cleavage yeah!
Honorable Mentions:
Zeyn: This guy is ON!!! Always energetic. Really stands out; the hair catches your attention his vibe keep you there. Keep an eye on him during Simons Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem. Brings a lot of energy to this party. His dancing in Whats the Buzz is the BEST. Did I mention he is the most gorgeous male in the cast?
Rocky: Cute and energetic too. Kids got a lot of potential.
The Temple: Somebody was painfully off key.
Will review Sat Mat and Sun Mat. Keep Posted!
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