Search Website
Members
Jesus Christ Superstar
Last Updated on Thursday, 26 August 2010 12:59 Written by Dan Barth Sunday, 16 May 2010 19:31
|
|
|
|
Pioneer Place on Fifth Theatre Directed By: Michael Kelley |
|
|
This activity is funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through a grant from the CMAB as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
|
|
 |
Pioneer Place is about to embark on the largest production in its history as we stage the brilliant rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. This legendary musical tells the story of the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Superstar dramatizes Jesus' entry in Jerusalem, the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate, and his ultimate crucifixion. Perpetually changing the face of musical theatre, Jesus Christ Superstar will leave you captivated by its power. This production features a cast of 22 along with a pit orchestra of eight including some of Central Minnesota's most popular musicians including Mark "Hazzy" Hasbrouch, Muggsy Lauer, Pete Johnson, Steve Minkler, Mike Anderson, Ken Vork, and a host of others. Local actor and musician Jeff Engholm will headline the all-star cast in the role of Jesus Christ. Jeff has done much musical theatre in his career including playing the role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar a few years ago. Fresh off a huge run of Rent in Minneapolis, Kinaundrae Lee will play the role of Judas Iscariot. Twin Cities actress Molly Pan, who just seen in the stunning production of M. Butterfly at The Guthrie will play Mary Magdalene. Dan Barth, Artistic Director at Pioneer Place, will take the stage in the role of King Herod. |
The show is running Wednesdays - Sundays and seating will be reserved, so order your tickets early! Don't miss this legendary production.
MORE ABOUT JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
By Michael Coveney
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's collaboration on Jesus Christ Superstar was a milestone in musical theater history. The show was first released as a double record album in October, 1970 and opened one year later on Broadway, amid immense ballyhoo, before hitting the West End stage in London in August, 1972. It was an instant hit, and eventually became the longest-running musical in London theater history, though its longevity has since been surpassed by both Cats and Starlight Express, also with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Tim and Andrew had met in 1965, when Tim had written to his future partner suggesting they try and write pop songs together. He was almost four years older than the composer, and trying to make his way in the music business while studying law.
They immediately responded to each other's talent and, in the Lloyd Webber family home in South Kensington, surrounded by cats and non-stop music, they composed songs and wrote a musical (never performed) about the philanthropist Dr. Barnardo, who founded a home for orphans in the East End of London. They followed up with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a pop oratorio for schoolchildren, though it would not become a commercial hit until after the success of Superstar.
Superstar started with the title song. The last months of 1969 were taken over by their excitement in recording and releasing this song, which was inspired by Tim Rice's fascination with Judas Iscariot, and, in particular, with Bob Dylan's great song "With God on Our Side." Andrew had hit on a suitably stirring tune while rushing down the Fulham Road to buy an old Ricky Nelson album.
Tim had spotted a picture of Tom Jones with a caption that read: "Tom Jones, the World's Number One Superstar," and he thought, why not stick that in? "And of course, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is a brilliant title. We were a bit shocked about what we'd done, just as Andrew had been a bit worried about 'Joseph' being too slangy. But of course, it was its being precisely that -- slangy and funny -- that made it work."
In London, Rice and Lloyd Webber were finding their way around the new post-Beatles music scene. They wore flowered shirts and flared trousers, and their hair flopped around their ears. They were seen at fashionable parties, and photographed at the Ascot races, with pretty girls on their arms. They were part of the new pop era. The album was totally original, totally exhilarating. The music had tremendous energy, which, blendingwith Rice's cynical, quizzical lyrics, never stood still for a minute. Lloyd Webber's taste for unusual time signatures made a stunning debut in Mary's "Everything's Alright," a number that bowls along, five syncopated beats in a bar, like an undulating hillside or gentle wave.
There was the majestic entrance to Jerusalem -- "Hosanna Heysanna Sanna Sanna Ho, Sanna Hey Sanna Ho Sanna, Hey JC, JC won't you fight for me? Sanna Ho Sanna Hey Superstar" -- the concerted soul shout of "Christ you know I love you," and the howling anguish of the vulnerable hero in the Garden of Gethsemane. And as Jesus died on the cross, the orchestra gathered in a sweeping and melancholy melody.
Artistic Team
Michael Kelley-Director
Jeff Engholm- Music Director
David DeBlieck-Choreographer
Emily Ankeny-Stage Manager
Adam Terry-Technical Director
Jeffrey Bleam-Costume Designer
Justin Hooper-Set Designer
Phil Berard- Light Designer
Gunther Gullickson-Prop Master
Cast
Jeff Engholm-Jesus Christ
Kinaundrae Lee-Judas Iscariot
Molly Pan-Mary Magdalene
Joseph Papke-Pontius Pilate
Dan Barth-Herod
Jay Ramos-Caiaphas
John Byram-Annas
Dan Lundin-Simon-Jesus/Judas U/S
Jay Terry-Peter-Pilate U/S
Justine Bergevin-Ensemble-Mary U/S
Steve Herzog-Ensemble-Caiaphas U/S
Ryan Scott-Ensemble-Simon U/S
Joshua Hinck -Ensemble
Ashley Hall-Ensemble
Anna Carol-Ensemble
Tara Lucchino-Ensemble
Mary Stenson-Ensemble
Ben Mullen-Ensemble
Alan Holasek-Ensemble
Ryan Readio-Ensemble
ABOUT THE SHOW AND MUSIC:
ACT I
HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS
Judas can see that things are going badly awry and that all the good work Jesus has done will soon be swept away. The situation is volatile and the authorities are beginning to focus their attention on Jesus' activities. His followers are getting carried away with too many thoughts of heaven on their minds.
WHAT'S THE BUZZ/STRANGE THING MYSTIFYING
The Apostles are quizzing Jesus on his plans . . . they're keen to know what lies in store for them all. Judas watches on in silence until Mary Magdalene arrives. He doesn't understand why Jesus wastes his time on a woman like her.
EVERYTHING'S ALRIGHT
Mary Magdalene tries to calm Jesus with an expensive ointment and tells him not to get worried. Judas snatches the ointment from her and accuses her of wasting resources which would be better served helping the poor. Jesus retorts by saying that there will always be poverty in the world and that they will never be able to help everyone.
THIS JESUS MUST DIE
Meanwhile, Ciaiphas and the priests discuss the problems caused by the mob following Jesus. They don't understand how he has managed to inspire people and believes that Jesus poses a very serious threat to their authority and the fragile relationship they have with the occupying force from Rome.
HOSANNA
A mass of people surround Jesus as he triumphantly arrives in Jerusalem.
SIMON ZEALOTES/POOR JERUSALEM
The crowd tells Jesus that they love and believe in him. Simon tries to convince Jesus that he has the power to motivate the crowds to rebel against the Romans.
PILATE'S DREAM
Waking at the dead of night, Pilate recounts a dream which has been troubling him for many months. The dream focuses on a charismatic man. Pilate finds himself in a room full of people baying for this man's blood. The dream ends with an image of millions of people mourning the man's death and leaving Pilate with the blame.
THE TEMPLE
Traders, moneylenders and pimps are plying their trade in the Temple; money can buy anything there. Jesus bursts in and cries out that the Temple should be a house of prayer and drives everyone out of the building. Exhausted and despairing, Jesus collapses and dreams that he is surrounded by the poor, the sick and the needy. In the dream Jesus finds that there are too many people for him to help.
EVERYTHING'S ALRIGHT (Reprise)
Jesus awakes with a start to find Mary Magdalene by his side.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM
With Jesus asleep in her arms, Mary contemplates her relationship with this man. She has never experienced love in her life before, and she realizes that her entire world has been turned upside down by Jesus.
DAMNED FOR ALL TIME / BLOOD MONEY
The priests need to know where they can find Jesus away from the crowds. Judas tells them that he will be alone in the Garden of Gethsemane on Thursday night. Judas knows that his betrayal will be remembered for all time, but he still clings to his belief that what he is doing is for the best.
ACT II
THE LAST SUPPER
Jesus gathers his twelve apostles together. He knows what lies ahead and asks his friends to remember him when they eat and drink. Looking around at their blank faces, Jesus becomes incensed and tells them that he must be mad to think that any of them will remember him after he dies. He turns on Peter telling him that he will deny ever having known him by the end of the night, and then reveals that one of his apostles will betray him. Judas leaps up and confronts Jesus and an argument between the two men ensues. Jesus tells Judas to get on with what he has planned, and Judas accuses Jesus of ruining everything that they have achieved together.
GETHSEMANE
Left alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus ponders his fate, questioning whether he can go through with what he knows lies in store over the next three days.
THE ARREST
The soldiers arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss. The soldiers arrest Jesus and take him to Ciaiphas, the High Priest.
PETER'S DENIAL
Three onlookers all recognize Peter as one of the men who was with Jesus earlier. Each time he denies his association, just as Jesus said he would.
PILATE AND CHRIST
Jesus is brought before Pilate. However as Jesus comes from Galilee, Pilate does not feel that he comes under his jurisdiction and instructs the guards to take him to Herod.
KING HEROD'S SONG
Herod has heard about the many miracles Jesus has performed, and he wants Jesus to prove that he's divine by changing water into wine or walking across his swimming pool! Throughout Herod's tirade, Jesus sits in silence. Infuriated, King Herod throws Jesus out of his house.
COULD WE START AGAIN, PLEASE?
With Jesus locked in a cell, Mary and the apostles can see that everything they had hoped for has gone horribly wrong. They wish they could turn the clock back and start again.
JUDAS' DEATH
Attacked by guards, Jesus is left half dead. Judas laments what he has seen and realizes that he will be blamed for what has happened. He recognizes that he is part of some grand design and that God is propelling him towards his destiny and he is powerless to change anything. Filled with despair, Judas commits suicide.
TRIAL BY PILATE
Jesus is once again brought before Pilate. A mob, led by the priests, is screaming for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate believes that the man before him has done nothing wrong. He asks Jesus if he is the King of the Jews to which Jesus simply replies It's you that say I am. To appease the crowd, Pilate flogs Jesus 39 times.
SUPERSTAR
A delirious Jesus is taunted by a hallucination of Judas asking him how he could let everything get so out of hand and whether he really is who he says he is.
CRUCIFIXION
Condemned by Pilate, Jesus is crucified.
JOHN 19:41
The apostles are left to comfort each other and ponder the impact that Jesus has had on their lives.