There are few productions as iconic as HART’s next offering, the original Rock Opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar.” For years patrons have requested the show but the cast requirements have made it a difficult choice for the theater to take on. But with an expanding talent base and the ability to bring in special guest artists for roles, HART finally decided it was time. With a cast of forty-five, plus an orchestra, “Superstar” promises to be one of the theater’s biggest productions.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” began life as a concept album in 1970. Composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Lyricist Tim Rice had worked previously together to create “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in 1968. The success of that project along with the reception to the concept album resulted in a Broadway production of “Superstar” in 1971. Since that time the show has been performed around the globe and had numerous Broadway revivals. Eight years later Webber and Rice would team again to create the musical “Evita,” but that would be their last collaboration. Lloyd Webber would go on to create “Phantom of the Opera” and “Sunset Boulevard.”
For many years “Jesus Christ Superstar” drew protests from the Christian community for its sympathetic depiction of Judas, and for ending with the crucifixion rather than completing the passion story with the resurrection. Many of those early concerns have subsided as people have come to accept the show as a legitimate telling of the final week of Jesus life based on the Gospels. Judas begins the show warning that their movement is getting too dangerous and things are getting out of control. Jesus is becoming a celebrity who is being watched by those in power.
The show lends itself to many stylistic interpretations and the show’s directors, Steven Lloyd and Julie Kinter, have chosen to set HART’s production in the present, to give the audience a sense of what this period in Christ’s life would be like if it occurred today. Hunter Hendrickson, who played Curley in last season’s “Oklahoma” has been brought back to play Jesus, and Xander Skye Wells has been brought in to play Judas. Western Carolina student, Najha Kay Forbey will play Mary Magdalene. Others in the cast include David Yeates, Benedict Burgess, David Hopes, Tabitha Judy, George Heard, Maximilian Koger, Matt Brian, Dwight Chiles, Luke Haynes Maria Frost, Tom Dewees, Wyatt Mills, Dan Dutterer, Sean Bruce, Jaob Hunt, Jonathan Lawrence, Adam Lentini, Dakota Mann, Harmony Canaday, Ashley Huber, Allie Spengler, Tiffanie Boone, Ruth Butler, Sarah Conklin, Cecilia DellaSavia, Bonnie DeMarco, Anna Denson, Michelle Free, Drake Frost, Chelcy Frost, Noelle Frost, Cheryl Goldberg, Melody Goldberg, Dalton Hamlett, Sally Inglesby-Schaefer, Trissa King, Lily Klinar, Ruth Planey, Carolyn Pope, Stan Smith, Chloe Wood, and Tifany Yates.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” will have performances July 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 30 at 7:30 and July 10, 17, 24, and 31 at 2pm. Special discount tickets are available for the Thursday performances and special discount tickets are also available for all performances for all students. All performances are at the HART Theatre, 250 Pigeon St. in downtown Waynesville. To make reservations call the box office at (828) 456-6322, Tuesday-Saturday from 1-5pm or go online to www.harttheatre.org.
