milt thomas

Jesus Christ Superstar is an all-music/no dialogue rock opera that has proven successful first as a pop music album in 1971, then a Broadway musical, a movie, and now as a “reimagined” musical. So, what is a reimagined musical you ask?

Well, it’s more like “same church, different pew.” The musical was originally set in the time of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago and followed New Testament accounts of his last week alive, set to a popular chart-topping musical score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Today’s reimagined version follows the same story, the same musical score, but it is set in the present day and instead of taking place in ancient Israel, it is relocated to a large American city. Since I first saw the show 50 years ago in Chicago, let’s say…Chicago.

The curtain raises on a scene of pandemonium, people panicked in the streets as Roman soldiers stand menacingly in the background. Behind them, partially obscured on a raised platform, the ten-musician orchestra provides a soundtrack to the mayhem.

It is a brilliant opening that immediately engages the audience. Then the scene shifts to a solitary figure standing stage right dressed in black who sings the opening number, “Heaven on Their Minds.” The man is Disciple Judas Iscariot (performed by David Toole), worried that Jesus has stirred up the people and created a dangerous situation with their Roman oppressors. (Listen, Jesus, to the warning I give. Please remember that I want us to live.)

Then Jesus, performed by Cole Thannisch, tries to assure Judas and the other Disciples that everything will be alright. Jesus is easy to identify, wearing a blood-red, full-length scarf, a portent of his fate. Mary Magdelene (Ruby Lewis) aims to comfort Jesus, but Judas warns him to avoid her because of her profession. He reproaches Judas (If your slate is clean, then you can throw stones.) and the other Disciples for their lack of faith in his teachings (There is not a man among you who knows or cares if I come or go).

Meanwhile, as the crowd exalts Jesus, Caiaphas, the High Priest of Israel (Nicholas Ward) and the Pharisees determine that to prevent Roman retribution towards the Jews, Jesus must die.

The rest is history, but the way it is told, in song and action, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Riverside Theatre, is a thrilling show, especially in the hands of Artistic Director, Allen Cornell, and an outstanding cast of professional actors. Cornell is also Scenic Designer, and his role is central to the reimagining of this show. Not only are the actors in modern attire (as well as modern touches like iPads, TV news crews, flashing cellphones, etc.), but the industrial setting – sparse and cold contrasting with the players’ emotional zeal – conveys the Roman’s heartless indifference dealing with its subjects. The music is legendary and in the hands of Music Director Andrew H. Austin and his talented musicians, on a par with any who have performed it before. Placing them onstage instead of the orchestra pit, they are not-so-silent observers witnessing the enfolding tragedy.

All of that would be in vain if the cast wasn’t up to that same standard of performance. The key characters – Jesus, Judas and Mary (Thannisch, Toole, Lewis) – also have the most challenging vocal roles. They more than meet that challenge. Other key figures and the artists who portray them include the Disciple Peter (Reese Sebastian Diaz), Simon Zealotes (Matthew Hugh Diston), Pontius Pilate (PJ Griffith), Caiaphas (Nicholas Ward), Annas (Nick Berninger) and a zany, off-the-wall King Herod (Craig Waletzko).

Jesus Christ Superstar was released as a concept album in 1971 because the composers – Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – could not get financing for a stage production. But their faith in the concept was confirmed when the album became an instant hit and financing for the stage production followed.

If you see one Riverside production this season, Jesus Christ Superstar should be it. The show runs through March 22 and tickets start at $50. They may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (772) 231-6990 or visiting the website at riversidetheatre.com.