Theater Reviews

Feb 7, 2007 - In Reno Jesus Christ Superstar

By By Jack Neal

A present day, circa 2007, Jesus Christ Superstar" starring Ted Neeley, is enough to make a believer skeptical. Neeley starred in the 1973 film version, which makes the star about twice as old as Jesus when he was crucified.

Can a 60 something singing actor, play a 30 something messiah preacher and come off as believable? Not always, but often enough to make the current touring production a tour de force for fans of the genre (rock operas and Andrew Lloyd Webber) and skeptics like me who couldn't stand the film, into a believer that miracles can and do happen.

The recording was and is remarkable, making one wonder why (other than money) the Tim Rice-Lloyd Webber exploration into the last seven days of Jesus should ever be visualized for stage and screen?

Until, that is, Jesus Christ Superstar" opened in Reno at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts Friday night (1/26/07). It's no doubt that a younger performer would have the charisma of youth needed to fully play Christ more magnetically than Neeley does at this point in his career, but it's also true that Neeley brings to the opera's big moments – especially the Gethsemane" and the Crucifixion" scenes – the pathos and power it takes to thoroughly convince onlookers of the humanity and spirituality of Christendom's founder.

Even more remarkable because Neeley has made playing Jesus Christ a corner stone of his career, is the strain placed on the singing voice by the shrieking Lloyd Webber's writing demands. Singing Jesus is a voice killer. Little aging is noticeable in Neeley's voice, which helps immeasurably as a cover for his age. Being in shape helps, too. There isn't any way an overstuffed Jesus can manage the near nude Jesus-on-the-cross scene and look the way many people do at Neeley's age. Bravo for being in shape, and a memorable performance.

Playing Judas, history's ultra heavy, Corey Glover also does a splendid job. The role of Judas is also a voice killer, but Glover manages without a hitch while bringing off an impressive characterization.

The entire cast is without a weakness, and terrific. Tiffini Dodson is a sympathetic Mary Magdelene and does justice to the show's best song, a soulful I Don't Know How to Love Him." As Caiaphas, Larry Alan Coke is wonderfully menacing. Craig Scully is a convincingly devastated Pontius Pilot. Jeremy Pasha is a frighteningly dark and foreboding Annas. As Peter, Chris Gleim isn't given much to do, but he does what he's called on to do well. In the campy role of Herod, a talented enough Aaron Fuksa is given the wrong things to do, which he does very well indeed, but to little impact.

Director Dallett Norris's staging is exciting. Arlene Phillips's choreography is at all times just right. Bill Stabile's unit set is perfectly suited to the opera's action. Rick Belzer's lighting designs could not be more dramatic. Simon's Lee's synthesized orchestrations, capably conducted by Kip Kaeppeler, are reasonable facsimile's of the real thing, although – at times - monstrously over amplified. The volume of the opera's lovely closing, John 19:41," would be more impressive at half the volume. The other cautionary note (volume being a recognized health hazard) is the theatrical haze (smoke) used in this production. It's toxic and unhealthy for singers who must breathe to sing. It's toxic and unhealthy for theatergoers who must breathe to buy future tickets.

Recounting the last seven days of Christ in contemporary terms, the blending of rock sound with revivalist fervor have made Andrew Lloyd Webber's melody for the title song a rock anthem, while Tim Rice's remarkable lyrics help spread the appeal of I Don't Know How to Love Him." Jesus Christ Superstar" is gaudy, noisy and irreverent. It's also fascinating as a gospel unto itself in revealing a personal tale of a deeply religious nature that so touches the hearts of so many.

Jesus Christ Superstar" can be seen at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada, Friday and Saturday (1/26 & 27/07) at 8 p.m., Saturday (1/27/07) at 2 p.m. and Sunday (1/28/07) at 2 and 7 p.m. For information call 775-686-6600.