Broadway in Chicago JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Review

Dressed in almost all white, a man stands before the crowd in front of a microphone. He plugs in his acoustic guitar and starts belting out his song, pleading with his father if there’s another way. His cries and playing become so forceful he snaps a guitar string. He thrusts it away and paces the stage. He rips off his jacket and shirt. The intensity rises as he concludes his song. He’s on his knees center stage, the microphone resting on his upturned palms as an offering. He’s accepted his fate as the son of God and must die. This production of Jesus Christ Superstar embraces the intensity of the rise and fall of Jesus.

Broadway in Chicago Embraces the Rock Opera

When the show opens, the overture begins featuring an electrifying electric guitar, the first few chords piercing through the theater. It’s a powerful start as we watch the orchestra on the second floor of the scaffolding on the stage.

The set is the bones of a building with iron rods crisscrossing all the way around three stories high. A cross lays slightly off-center stage and looks like speakers pushed together to form a platform. It becomes an entryway for actors coming on and off stage. It’s the first of many visuals that create this intersection of rock and religion.

The actors also embrace the rock opera as they belt their way through the score. The two main men, Jesus and Judas, played by Aaron LaVigne and Omar Lopez-Cepero respectively, show off their vocal chops as they hit the higher range with enough support that it fills the theater.

Stunning Tableaus & Visuals

Sarah Parker leads the ensemble as the Mob Leader and catches our eye every time she’s on stage. She begins each ensemble number with a solo movement piece. She bends backwards, moves her arms forcefully, and sways gracefully in her various moments. When the ensemble joins her, they become a unit and each move is so precise and together it feels like they move and flow as one.

A hush falls as Jesus and his followers rest after the busy and bustling What’s The Buzz number. The lighting turns soft and blue and lights up the trees in the background creating the sense of a peaceful garden. Jenna Rubaii playing Mary Magdalene sings Everything is Alright like a lullaby and slowly grows into an anthem as backup singers join her.

When Pontius Pilate sends Jesus to King Herod, Herod (Paul Louis Lessard) appears in an over-the-top cape with layers upon layers of ruffled fabric so long in length it trails to the back of the stage. He whips it off to reveal a dazzling gold jumpsuit and tuxedo jacket. He dances around the stage and draws his machete leading to a line-up of “slicing” his servants’ heads off, creating a juxtaposition to his carefree and upbeat song.

Ramping Up the Intensity

Hearing the run time coming in at just over 90 minutes, you might be as taken aback as this writer. Ninety minutes seems so short when we’re used to Andrew Lloyd Weber’s two act musicals stretching over the course of an entire evening. But in this production, there are no set changes and the songs flow into each other one right after the other. For this writer, it makes the world of Jesus Christ Superstar that much more intense as it heightens the impending death of our superstar.

Full of stunning visual tableaus, precise dance numbers, and powerful vocals, this production of Jesus Christ Superstar would be a good fit for anyone in love with the original musical or those who are looking for an electrifying night out at the theater.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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CAST:

Aaron LaVigne, Jenna Rubaiias, Omar Lopez-Ceperojoins, Alvin Crawfordas Caiphas, Tommy Sherlockas Pilate, and Tyce Greenas Annas. Pepe Nufrioreturns to the tour as the standby for Jesus and Judas. The ensemble includesDavid Andre, Courtney Arango, Giuliana Augello,Wesley J. Barnes, Lydia Ruth Dawson, Hope Easterbrook, Derek Ferguson, Brian Golub, Brittany Rose Hammond, Garfield Hammonds, Quiana Holmes, Darrell T. Joe, Sheila Jones, Jacob Lacopo, Paul Louis Lessard, Eric A. Lewis, Tommy McDowell, Danny McHugh, Jenny Mollet, Sarah Parker, Erick Patrick, SandyRedd, and Cooper Stanto

About the Author: Alexis Bugajski

Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.

Editor's Note: Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski