Renaissance Players to rock stage with Jesus Christ Superstar

Release Date: 2/18/2005. Expired: 3/26/2005

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s breakthrough rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar comes to the stage of The Renaissance Center in Dickson with a Renaissance Players community production March 11-26.

Shows are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays, March 13 and 20. There will not be a matinee on the final weekend, which is Easter Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children under 13.

Webber and Rice’s groundbreaking “rock opera” changed the face of musical theatre when it debuted on Broadway in 1971. The musical chronicles the last seven days in the life of Jesus through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. It dramatizes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal, trial before Pontius Pilate and crucifixion.

Originally appearing as just a concept album because producers were hesitant over such an unusual production, Jesus Christ Superstar eventually premiered at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York in 1971 and ran for more than 700 shows over two years. The original cast included Ben Vereen as Judas, Yvonne Elliman as Mary and Paul Ainsley as Herod.

Norman Jewison directed a 1973 film version that featured Ted Neeley as Jesus and Carl Anderson as Judas.

Jesus Christ Superstar returned to Broadway for revivals at the Longacre Theatre in 1977 and Ford Center in 2000.

When the show closed on London’s West End in 1980, it was the longest-running musical. It has been staged in more than 15 countries.

The show’s various recordings have been best sellers around the world, even reaching the pop charts with Elliman’s I Don’t Know How to Love Him from the original cast.

The Renaissance Players production will be directed by Hal Partlow, managing director of the Renaissance Repertory Theatre Company.

“Jesus Christ Superstar took musicals in a whole new direction when it debuted on Broadway,” Partlow said. “It has been presented around the world over the decades with a variety of visual styles, from hippies to gangsters, from period to modern. While staying true to the wonderful music of Rice and Webber’s original show, our version presents a unique visual styling that enhances the show without detracting from the music.”

The Renaissance Center’s Music Department faculty is joining forces with the Theatre Department to provide music for Superstar. Senior Director of Music Elaine Sherrill, Assistant Director Kelli Workman and Director of Music Technology Jeff Martin are serving as music directors for the production and will be part of the band playing for the show.

“Jesus Christ Superstar presents some unique challenges musically in that the score ranges through a variety of styles, from guitar-driven rock and roll to a piano-laced ragtime,” said Sherrill. “As a rock opera it also is challenging because the entire show is music; once the show opens the band begins playing and doesn’t stop except for intermission and the end.”

Partlow’s cast of more than 40 includes several new faces to Renaissance Players productions. Michael Knight, technical director at The Renaissance Center, has designed a unique set to complement Partlow’s staging for the show.

For more information on the Renaissance Players production of Jesus Christ Superstar, call The Renaissance Center at (615) 740-5600 or visit the center’s Web site at www.rcenter.org. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (615) 740-5570.

The Renaissance Center is an arts and technology education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Theatre page for more about community and professional theatre.

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