Capping the trifecta of shows Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber currently has on Broadway is the latest incarnation of Jesus Christ Superstar. Thus "rock opera" was Webber's first huge hit in my opinion and has a special place in my heart as I was in a production in college. This particular staging, directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), had runs at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and The La Jolla Playhouse before moving to the Great White Way. The staging is quite bare, which helps focus more attention on the actors and music. Costumes have a contemporary , but basic look to them and there is a clock countdown the "The End" throughout the show.
Paul Nolan as Jesus definitely looked the part and had a fantastic voice to match. He hit all the notes with ease and played JC as the emotionally neutral way is normally played. Josh Young as Judas garnered many kudos for his performance. I thought he had a very good voice, but not really a rock voice, it is a rock opera after all. Vocally I though he was better in the second act, but over all I was a bit disappointed. His acting was fantastic though, and as I said he has a great voice, but more for mainstream Broadway shows in my opinion. Bruce Dow as Herod was hilarious, as he is often played and I also really liked Tom Hewitt as Pilate. This was a very strong cast and I can understand why they had such successful runs before hitting Broadway.
This is a very good production of the show and I would highly recommend it to anyone that likes and is familiar with the show. As more and more shows are featuring contemporary or rock music, it's great to have revivals of some of the original greats such as this show, which opened the door to allowing that kind of music into the theater.
Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway
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