Review of "Jesus Christ Superstar"

I will state right at onset that the score to Jesus Christ Superstar is my favorite from the composing team of Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice.  Ever since the 1970 concept album was released I have been a big fan.  [Trivia Note:  the 1972 Original Broadway cast recording was only the second time a cast album was nominated in the Grammy Award’s prestigious album of the year category.]  The good news is that the latest production of the show, playing through July 22^nd at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs, CT, does an outstanding job bringing the score to life in all its rock opera glory.

 

Alex Prakken (Jesus) and Ryan Vona (Judas) and the apostles in “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Weber, onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre through July 22.

The book of the show focuses on the last days of Jesus Christ.  There are scenes with his disciples, the apostles but, more importantly, his relationship with Mary Magdalene and Judas.  The end, after running afoul of such powerful figures as the High Priest, Caiaphas; the Judaic ruler, Pontius Pilate; and King Herod, comes with his crucifixion.

While, overall, the production is well-worth attending, a musical without any spoken dialogue can be problematic since needed exposition is sacrificed.  Here, for example, the role of the ensemble can be vexing since it is not always clear when they are playing Jesus’s followers or his apostles?  Establishing where the action is taking place was also sometimes difficult to pinpoint.

 

Alex Prakken (Jesus) and Sasha Renee Brown (Mary Magdalene) in “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Weber, onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre through July 22.

The score, which ushered in the modern day, fully sung through Broadway musical, had my toes tapping non-stop.  There are passionate, heartfelt anthems; beautiful ballads; and anguished, harrowing compositions.  A number of the songs filled Top 40 radio playlists in the early 1970’s (“Superstar” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”) 

The cast is talented and first-rate.  It is led by Alex Prakken as Jesus.  He brings a quiet forcefulness and charisma to the role.  You can feel the beauty and harmony he radiates, along with his intense pain and doubts.  Ryan Vona’s Judas is a tortured soul, thinking he is doing right, then realizing, when it is too late, the folly and deadly ramifications of his actions.  Jonathan Cobrda, in his short time on stage, is a fiery, no-nonsense Pontius Pilate, who sways from lobbying for Jesus’s release to relenting for his ultimate demise.  Sasha Renae Brown’s brings a tenderness and calmness to her role as Mary Magdalene

 

Alex Prakken (Jesus) and Ryan Vona (Judas) in “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Weber, onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre through July 22.

Choreographer Christopher d’Amboise provides lively and diverse dance numbers, primarily for the ensemble that, while adding to the theatricality of the musical, sometimes don’t seem to mesh with the thrust of what is appearing on stage.  It’s almost like two separate components vying for attention.

Director Terrence Mann starts and ends the show with actors ambling on and off the performance space in their hippie finest (the original Broadway production did open at the height of the Flower Power generation) which, I suppose, is to inject a time appropriate, Easter pageant feel to the production.  He is at his best when helming the more vivid and dramatic sequences of the show, especially those involving the principle characters.  Working with Lighting Designer Doug Harry he creates a number of striking tableaus that add a powerful luster to the musical.

 

Jonathan Cobrda (Pilate) in “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Weber, onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre through July 22.

Musical Director Bryan McAdams leads a skillful pit band and has the actors and actresses singing with power and a strong harmonic fervor.

Jesus Christ Superstar, another winning production from the Connecticut Repertory Theatre.