Directed by       Paul Metzger Music Director  Julia Oliver-Babb Choreographer Martha Daniels Holland Production Team Stage Manager   Deb Ritrovato Producers   Glen Grimard, Rich Glynn, Sue  Koczarski, Val Levesque, John Liljeberg Technical Directors   John McAllister Mike O'Keefe Lighting Designer   Dennis Schneider Props Barb Asketh Costumes Sue Lewis Publicity Kerry Schneider
a rock opera by         ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER   music     TIM RICE   lyrics

Show Background

"Jesus Christ Superstar" is a monumental piece of musical theater with a long and storied history.  It all began in 1969 with the single "Superstar" on 45 (remember those?) with a B side of "John 19:41".  The single was banned by many radio stations, and (partially because of that) garnered much attention.  Then came the concept album, a double album set that topped the US charts in '71.  The Broadway version was staged that year, opening to protests which called the show sacrilegious.  The '72 London production went on to much success and become the longest running show in West End history, with 3,358 performances.  The '73 film adaptation followed, along with various touring productions over the years.  A modern production was revived in 1999 for both London and New York audiences, and a film version of the revival was made.  Later in 1999 "Jesus Christ Superstar" was officially endorsed by the Vatican.  The revival film was shown on PBS during Easter of 2000 and earned a Performing Arts Emmy in 2001. 

The show itself is an operetta (no spoken words ... the entire story is told through song) and chronicles the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.  The show is primarily told from the point of view of Judas, the apostle who eventually turns Jesus in to the authorities.  The chief priests feel threatened by Jesus and decide to have him killed ("This Jesus Must Die").  Throughout the show Judas is conflicted between his love for Jesus and his growing frustration with him, leading to his eventual betrayal ("Damned for All Time / Blood Money") of Jesus to the chief priests at the end of Act One.  One of the most memorable songs is sung by Mary Magdalene ("I Don't Know How to Love Him"), confronting her feelings for Jesus.  Act Two begins with "The Last Supper" and progresses through Jesus being handed over to the authorities, sent to Pilate (and Herod), Judas' suicide, and the flogging ("Trial Before Pilate / 39 Lashes") of Jesus.  Jesus is then sent to be crucified (to the backdrop of the namesake song "Superstar"), and eventually nailed to the cross and dies.

The Actorsingers production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" will be set in the present day, with an urbanized, hip/grunge look to it.  The intent is to have the audience personally relate to the story and characters.  Jesus was a very influential and dynamic leader.  If He were here today, would you quit your job to follow Him?  Would you sell all of your belongings and leave your family to do so?  Would you truly believe in His message, or would you think of it as some type of cult?  Would you stand by those beliefs in the face of your own arrest and possible death, or would you deny knowing Him as Peter did?  These are the questions we want to raise by staging our production in the present day.

Dance Notes

The following links are Martha's notes for the various dances:

• The Arrest
• What's The Buzz / Simon Zealotes
• King Herod's Song
• Trial by Pilate
• SuperStar

Rehearsal Schedule

The following schedule lists the rehearsal dates and the specifics of what we'll be rehearsing, as best we know.  A more detailed schedule will be handed out at the rehearsal.

Tech Week

Performances

Act I

Opening
            Overture                         Dark stage, focus on orchestra

Scene 1
            Heaven On Their Minds              Urban Exterior, Friday Morning

Scene 2
            What’s The Buzz                   Mary’s Apartment Interior, Friday Night
            Strange Thing, Mystifying                "
            Everything’s Alright                     "

Scene 3
            This Jesus Must Die                Caiphas’ Study, Sunday Daytime
            Hosana                         Urban Exterior, Sunday Daytime
            (transition music)                     "
            Simon Zealotes                      "
            Poor Jerusalem                   cast frozen … song is in Jesus’ mind

Scene 4
            Pilate’s Dream                    Pilate’s Bedroom, very early AM

Scene 5
            The Temple                      Temple Interior, Monday Night
            Everything’s Alright (reprise)               "
            I Don’t Know How To Love Him               "

Scene 6
            Guitar solo / transition music           Dark set (clear temple) – focus on guitar
            Damned For All Time/Blood Money     Caiphas’ Study, Tuesday

Act II

Scene 1
            The Last Supper                   Peter’s Apartment, Thursday Evening

Scene 2
            Gethsemane                     Garden of Gethsemane, Thursday Night
            The Arrest                       Garden then into Caiphas’ Study, Thurs PM
            Peter’s Denial                     Urban Exterior, Thursday Night

Scene 3
            Pilate & Christ                     Pilate’s Mansion Interior, early Friday AM

Scene 4
            King Herod’s Song                  Herod’s Mansion Interior, later Friday AM

Scene 5
            Could We Start Again, Please          Urban Exterior, later Friday AM

Scene 6
            Judas’s Death                     Caiphas’ Study → Urban Exterior, Fri Noon

Scene 7
            Trial By Pilate / 39 Lashes            Pilate’s Courtyard, Friday Afternoon
            Superstar                          "
            Crucifixion                         "
            John 19:41                       Tomb, Friday Night (fadeout on Jesus)
            Resurrection/Curtain Call (short reprise “Superstar”)     Sunday AM  (angelic light / beam)

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Last Update:  20 April 2005