Return of Super Star

“Always hoped that I'd be an apostle
Knew that I would make it if I tried
Then when we retire we can write the gospels
So they'll still talk about us when we've died”
The Apostles post Last Supper aka Passover



Des McAnuff's Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” smolders at the La Jolla Playhouse. The 1970s pop opera concept album cum musical is a brooding tragedy that pay's off with a theatrical punch McAnuff is always sure to deliver.

Playhouse musicals aspire to Broadway ascension. “Superstar” is already blessed to open at the house of Neil Simon in March 2012. Modestly budgeted by current Broadway standards, the production is not slick and laminated and still proves highly theatrical even when compared to Tom O'Horgan's over produced original Broadway incarnation.

Originated at Canada's national theatre where the classical text is paramount and classical performance values (they provide ongoing company classes) are maintained. “Superstar's” story and detailed characters remain in the foreground with articulated non-verbal story telling giving rise to its vocal narrative.

In part resonant with the Arab Spring, we see Jesus's followers pop frenzy riding the robes of the his star status. A lesser local example are Terry Cole Whittikar followers chanting “prosperity is your divine right” at her Sunday matinee service.


The Stratfordians prove incandescent in rendering Jesus Christ's last seven days. I must be quick to note the Shakespeare Festival actors are triple-threats, so triple the wattage. The company's vocal richness and diversity careen's from aria-like wailing to opera buffo into traditional musical ballad and belt.


McAnuff's intelligent direction keeps the story grounded in pathos even with Bruce Dow's vaudevillian turn in “Herod's Song.” Dow brightens act two's downward trajectory with desperate self-preservation disguised in visceral mockery of the doomed Jesus. His Charleston is a dance of the dead. What could have been played for easy laughs, “Herod’s Song” continues the story's emotional complexity.

Paul Nolan's draped-in-white Jesus pulls us through his inevitable tests with premonitions mixed with vocal pyrotechnics. Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalen, a favorite J.C. Groupie, brings in a low-key but intense performance.

Josh Young's Judas Iscariot proves magnetic as Jesus's favorite boy and betrayer. The love triangle of JC/Mary/Judas is less than conspicuous. Young's conflicted Judas galvanizes the evening. His swarthy good looks and underplaying are ideal for the role as are his golden pipes. I wager that Mr. Young will be a shoo-in for best supporting actor nomination come next year's Tony Awards.

Des McAnuff and set designer Robert Brill's collaboration echo's his design for “Jersey Boys” with its battle ship grays and minimalist industrial motifs. Howell Binkley's emotional expressionistic lighting blends with Sean Niewenhuis's video design that aids in setting locations.

Paul Tazewell's costume design integrates circa 4 B.C desert garb with contemporary urban and military styles. Mr. Tazewell breaks away from the dominant grays and blues with amped-up glitz in the temple and court debauchery numbers that prove a visual relief. Lisa Shriver's choreography supports the narrative.

Reviewed November 23rd, 2011 matinee.

* * *
Surviving 17 years of Catholic schooling and still recovering, the production redefined my understanding of Jesus's final days.

* * *

Jesus Christ Superstar

A Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of a musical in two acts with lyrics by Tim Rice & music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Directed by Des McAnuff.

Jesus Christ - Paul Nolan
Judas Iscariot - Josh Young
Mary Magdalen - Chilina Kennedy
Pontius Pilate – Jeremy Kushnier
King Herod - Bruce Dow
Caiaphas - Marcus Nance
Annas - Aaron Walpole
Simon Zealotes - Lee Siegel
Peter - Mike Nadajewski

With: Mark Alfano, Mark Cassius, Ryan Gifford, Kyle Golemba, Stephen Patterson, Jason Sermonia, Julius Sermonia, Jonathan Winsby, Sandy Winsby, Mary Antonini, Jacqueline Burtney, Kaylee Harwood, Melissa O'Neill, Laurin Padolina, Katrina Reynolds, Dominique Roy.

Musical direction, Rick Fox; choreography, Lisa Shriver; sets, Robert Brill; costumes, Paul Tazewell; lighting, Howell Binkley; sound, Jim Neil; video, Sean Nieuwenhuis. 1 hr, 50 min.

November 18 - December 31, 2011
Weiss Theatre
(858) 550-1010
www.lajollaplayhouse.org


PHOTOGRAPHS:

Josh Young, Chilina Kennedy and Paul Nolan make up the cast of Des McAnuff's Jesus Christ Superstar. (Andrew Eccles)


Paul Nolan (center) as "Jesus Christ" and the cast. Photo by David Hou.

Bruce Dow (center) as "King Herod.” Photo by David Hou.

Josh Young as "Judas Iscariot" (front) and Paul Nolan as "Jesus Christ." Photo by David Hou.