Few composers are the equal of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was never one to take the road more traveled. Even as a teenager when he was just starting to test out his literary pen he chose a topic less main stream and more creative: he wrote a musical about a boy in the Bible who receives an unusual gift from his father. That became the world famous rock musical “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
In the years to come, Lloyd Webber continued his unorthodox choice of subject matter by composing musicals about a gang of backyard felines (CATS), a poor woman who rises to become a powerful figurehead in her country of Argentina (Evita), teams of train engines who race on roller skates (Starlight Express) and a disfigured young man hiding in the bowels of a Paris opera house (The Phantom of the Opera).
Now you have the opportunity to experience another record breaking musical about another boy in the Bible: “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” playing Wednesday to Sunday, to June 7 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.
Composed by Lloyd Webber with Tim Rice, this over five decade old musical concerns the last week in the life of Jesus Christ and it is an emotional and moving experience. This is true punk rock, a biblical retelling of a savior who wants to cleanse the world of corruption and sin. This last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ, who is portrayed by a memorable Justin Matthew Sargent, is told through the eyes of his betrayer, one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, played with all his anger and confusion evident by Austin Lesch.
Tender moments are underscored by Stephanie Zaharis’s Mary Magdalene as she confesses to Jesus “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” while the passion and suffering are momentarily alleviated by the antics of a song and dance Vaudeville routine by King Herod, a mischief making Nicolette Antonia Shin belting out “King Herod’s Song." The high powered political naysayers who have banned together to end Jesus’ reign as the King of the Jews are led by Pontius Pilate’s Deven Kolluri, Jamari Darling as Calaphas and Kevin Trinio Perdido as Annas and the Priests Elijah Dawson and Michael James.
This spectacular rock musical that separates the myth from the man is directed by Tatiana Pandiani and the non-stop dance moves are choreographed by Amy Campbell. The lighting designed by Cha See is especially effective. A full orchestra led by Adam Souza supports the fully glorious sung story.
For tickets ($30 and up), call the box office at 860- 873-8668 or online at goodspeed.org. Performances are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m , Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (and select 2 p.m.), Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.(and select 6:30 p.m.).
Enter the emotional whirlwind as Jesus Christ realizes that those closest to him are determined to witness his destruction. After three years of trying to teach his beliefs as the son of God, he is sad and tired and prepared to die for his cause. He knows Peter will deny him three times and that Judas will betray him but he is accepting of his fate. Witness his powerful epic history.
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