Given how much theatre we already watch in Toronto, the cost of shows at the Stratford Festival, and the time expended driving there and back, it needs to be a stellar show for us to make the trip. Based on the unanimously glowing reviews of Jesus Christ Superstar, we decided that this was the show of the season to make the effort for.
An early collaboration of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar was written as a rock opera where all the dialogue is sung. From the very first chords of the overture, you know that you are in for something special and different from anything that has come before.
The ambitious plot follows the rise and fall of Jesus, culminating in his crucifixion, as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Despite the subject matter and title of the musical, it is Judas who is the central character for much of the play, with the greatest emotional arc up to the point of his demise. He is written as a complex, even sympathetic character with conflicting feelings of love and admiration towards Jesus battling against those of foreboding and injustice regarding how he perceives Jesus is using his growing power. This depiction led to outrage from religious groups when the play first came out.
Josh Young who plays Judas does the part justice with his powerfully raw and passionate portrayal. From exasperation, annoyance and self-righteousness when he sings "Heaven on Their Minds" morphing to doubt and uncertainty in "Damned for All Times", to fake bravado and defiance in the "Last Supper" argument with Jesus, and finally guilt and anguish in "Judas' Death", every emotion is evident in his voice and his face. This production added an extra dimension to his story by implying a love triangle for him with Mary Magdalene and Jesus.
Through the help of lighting but also a particularly angelic face, Paul Nolan positively glows as Jesus in the earlier scenes. He nails his big number, "Gethsemane" where he debates with God over the merits of this plan that will lead his death and martyrdom. This is my favourite song of the musical. Where Judas had half a play to traverse his emotional arc, Jesus accomplishes it all in this one song.
Two cameo roles stand out in this musical. First is the ever effervescent Bruce Dow in the role of Herod, the King of Galilee. The initial seemingly congenial mockery in his tone as he suggests how Jesus can prove himself, soon turns into a chillingly menacing one that reveals his true nature. Bruce Dow does not dance the Charleston like in my memories of the original Jesus Christ Superstar movie, but his ambling choreography includes a turn at the piano where he gleefully simulates playing the tune.
The second standout cameo performance is that of Brent Carver playing Pontius Pilate. His quiet, sorrowful rendition of "Pilot's Dream" where he laments his premonition of his role in Jesus' demise is "haunting" to quote a term from the song.
I was dreading the climatic crucifixion scene at the end of the show. Owning an early soundtrack of the show since I was young, I always found the last track to be too disturbing to listen to. In that rendition, the crucifixion was depicted with eery background music and an extremely creepy hammering as Jesus was being nailed to the cross. This interpretation was missing from the Stratford show. Instead the staging of the crucifixion scene was stunning, both in the design of the lit-up cross and the way Jesus is propelled into the air.
I am so impressed by the extraordinary lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber who wrote this musical in their early 20s. A phrase which Jesus sings in the song "Poor Jerusalem" has always resonated with me as being extremely profound and comforting: "To conquer death you only have to die".
It may sound frivolous, but not having a religious upbringing, I learned much about Bible stories through my love of musicals. This medium made it more accessible to me.
There are rumours that this show and its cast are Broadway bound. I hope this is true so as it deserves a wider audience and continued success.
Click here to listen to a CBC interview with the director and performances by the leads.
Josh Young who plays Judas does the part justice with his powerfully raw and passionate portrayal. From exasperation, annoyance and self-righteousness when he sings "Heaven on Their Minds" morphing to doubt and uncertainty in "Damned for All Times", to fake bravado and defiance in the "Last Supper" argument with Jesus, and finally guilt and anguish in "Judas' Death", every emotion is evident in his voice and his face. This production added an extra dimension to his story by implying a love triangle for him with Mary Magdalene and Jesus. 
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