Jesus Christ Superstar - review

[Jane Zussman]

Wow.

Jesus Christ Superstar has not lost its punch. 

Director Josh Martin gives Riverwalk an updated, rock-concert version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s masterpiece. It features frenetic choreography (Karyn Perry) wild costumes (Amanda Macomber and Ashley Hampton with help from the Lansing artist community) immersive, dramatic lighting (Ellison Hall) and innovative phone video (the cast). It leaps climbs and swirls around a timeless, graffiti-framed stairway-platform set (Tom Ferris with scenography by Rachel Daugherty) that houses a small but mighty band “Metatron”: music director/keyboard/conductor Kait Wilson, John Dillingham keyboard, Yoshihiro Fukagawa guitar, Carin McEvoy bass, and Ty Schalter drums.

Superstar was a must-have album when I was in college amid the chaos of Vietnam war protests; this version nods to the current protests and unrest in our country. The September 1984 Okemos Barn production is legendary for a fully-immersed audience member who stepped onstage at one performance to try to stop the 39 lashes. No such interruption opening night but the show IS an immersive experience, wrapping the entire audience in the question, “Jesus Christ, Superstar, do you think you’re who they say you are?"

Gender-blind casting gives us a powerful, provocative, female Judas, the talented and tormented Meghan Malusek — as well as a flashy King (Queen?) Herod, Elle Bergan. 

Quentin Villa embodies our misunderstood Jesus, coping with his fame and destiny with an impressive voice. Kelly Stuible-Clark, another winning voice, was the nurturing, questioning  Mary Magdaline. Lewis Elson was Pontius Pilate, the politician caught between his common sense and the rule of the mob. 

Superstar was full-ish opening night and deserves to sell out. Make your reservations soon  http://www.riverwalktheatre.com/ 

Thur-Sun through March 8. 

Note that on SUNDAYS — often difficult parking days when Impression 5 is open — Riverwalk has arranged free parking available to RWT and Impression 5 patrons in the large parking lot off Museum Drive between Riverwalk and Michigan Ave. If you park there, you can walk along the river walk trail boardwalk to RWT’s front door. Effective for March 1 and March 8 performances only. 

 

 

Jane Zussman

G.L.U.T. List

(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)

cell 517-930-0932

JSZu...@gmail.com

http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 

To review past emails as they were sent, click “About the G.L.U.T.” and choose “email list” from the drop-down menu — also check out the all-theatres calendar.

“Like” us on Facebook!