“Jesus Christ Superstar”

Highly Recommended ***** Every season, The Lyric Opera  presents its “Broadway at the Lyric” entry, in order for their regular subscribers to see something different and unique. It is also an opportunity to draw some Musical Theater audiences to the Lyric experience, in hopes that some will come back and maybe add opera to their list of theater and entertainment. This years edition is “Jesus Christ Superstar”, the Rock Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice ( lyrics) that premiered on October 12, 1971 in New York. It was written to be performed on tape/record and then based on the popularity was transformed to a stage production which seems to appear from time to time on all of our area stages. In fact, jus last month, a TV special edition was done “live” featuring John Legend as Jesus. People thought that this would harm the chances of the lyric being as successful as they have been with their  annual Broadway show, but I must tell you, based on what I witnessed today, John Legend and his TV production did not hold a candle to the product that the lyric has placed on their stage.

Directed by Timothy Sheader with choreography by Drew McONIE, this is a sensation transformation from concert to stage and back again as a concert-style. The musicians, under the direction of Tom Deering, are on the stage for the show’s entirety, and the set sort of looks like stacks of boxes ( think of the set for the old “Hollywood Squares TV game), but divide into three simple areas. Musicians are on several levels and actors/singers/dancers use all the other areas to do their thing. FYI: the play is in two acts. The first act  45 minutes, followed by an intermission that is 25  minutes in length and then act two which is another 45 minutes. The curtain call, based on the heavy praise that the audience gave this amazing cast does add another 7 minutes ( but for those, you should be on your feet, applauding harder than ever before) but a happy 7 minutes.

I know that everyone felt that John Legend was a powerful Jesus in the TV production, but Heath Saunders ( who was in that production) made Legend seem weak. In fact, I might say that Saunders’ performance was “legendary”. Judas was played to perfection by Ryan Shaw and Mary is portrayed by Jo Lampert, who I would love to see in other roles. What a voice and stage presence! Pilate is deftly handled by Michael Cunio and the amazing Mykal Kilgore is a strong Simon Zealotes. Herod ( Shaun Fleming), Caiapha ( Cavin Cornwall), Joseph Anthony Byrd (Annas) and Peter ( Chicago favorite Andrew Mueller, of the famous Mueller family) who sings and plays instruments with the best of them round out the main characters. They are all sheer perfection for the roles they were asked to play.

The ensemble is also made up of voices that shine and make the written words and music by Rice and Webber sound as good today as they did some 47 years ago: a mixture of Chicago actors, Lyric Opera performers and others making their first appearance at The Lyric:

Ashley Andrews, Caleb Blaze, Isaiah Tyrelle Boyd, Hoss Brock, Barilyn Burtley, Matthew Carroll, Jerusha Cavazos, William M. Combs, Richard Crandles, Matt Deitchman, Candace Edwards, Janet Marie Farr, Joseph Fosselman, Brad Giovanine, Scott Gryder, Haley Hannah, Keirsten Hodgens, Antwayn Hopper, Drew King, Erika K. Lewis, Angel Lozada, Adam Michaels, Gabriel Mudd, Kenneth Nichols, Jennifer Noble, James Odom, Kristen Paulicelli, Christina Pecce, Thomas Lewis Potter, Sandyredd, David Robbins, Jaquez Andre Sims, Maria Surace, Clay Thomson, Corrine Wallace-Crane, Ron Watkins, Sherry Watkins, Jonah D. Winston and Michelle Wright. A huge and highly energetic cast of talented people in every way! As I have always said, the strength of the overall production relies on these ensemble members! Bravo! This is the story as seen through the eyes of Judas.

The technical aspects of the production were flawless in every way. The set (Tom Scutt, who also designed the costumes), the lighting (Lee Curran), the sound ( Nick Lidster), the Chorus Master ( Michael Black), the wig and make-up designer (Sarah Hatten) and the fight director/choreographer ( Nick Sandys, always a pleasure to watch his work on a stage). As you know, if you have ever attended the Lyric, their orchestra is top-rated and top-notch and they lose nothing on their interpretations of this marvelous piece. This has been done before, but never in a venue such as The Lyric or before an audience as sophisticated as Chicago’s theater community- they thirst for the highest of quality, and attain it. There are many who may have heard a local radio personality express that he did not think that this version/production was as strong as the one on TV last month. I heard this as I was on my way to the Lyric. Guess what? He was wrong! This production outshines that one by a wide margin with all the excitement and talent of a true Rock Opera/Concert and should be placed on your MUST SEE LIST!

“Jesus Christ Superstar” will continue at The Lyric Opera House located at 20 N. Wacker Drive thru May 2th with performances as follows:

Show Type: Musical

Box Office: 312-332-2244

www.lyricopera.org

Tickets range in price depending on date, time and area where seated.

Call the box office or check online

To see what others are saying, please visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Jesus Christ Superstar”.

Valet parking is a bit expensive but is probably the best way to go other than public transportation. There are some lots just to the east and west of the theater that can be a savings.