[NEohioPAL]Berko review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Playhouse Square Center)

[Roy Berko]

TED NEELY, COREY GLOVER AND SUPERSTAR ALL RISE TO THE
OCCASION AT THE PALACE

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


It is appropriate that at this time of the year
Playhouse Square Center has brought in a touring
production of ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.’  And quite a
production it is.

Superstar opened on Broadway in 1971.  Ian Gillan
played Jesus.  In 1972 Neeley was cast in the lead
role for the touring production which seemingly has
run forever.  He also played the role in the 1973
movie version.  

Every once in while a play and a performer became
synonymous.  Think Carol Channing and ‘HELLO DOLLY,’
and Zero Mostel and ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.’  When
‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’ is mentioned Neeley and Jesus
have become parallel elements.

Touring productions, especially those that have been
on the road for a long time, often aren’t fresh.  This
can’t be said for this touring show.  It sizzles.  It
is vital.  It is fresh.  It is exciting.  The singing,
the dancing and the story interpretation are all
on-key.

Much of the excitement is mustered by the excellent
chorus who play the apostles and numerous other roles.
 However, Corey Glover, best known as a member of the
cast of “Living Color,” makes the production special. 
He is dynamic as Judas.  Glover has a full voice and
becomes so involved in the role that he sucks the
audience right into the action.

Neeley never seems to age or go into automatic pilot
as some performers do after playing a role for a long
time-span.  I’ve seen him do this role several times,
and, if anything, he has deepened his Jesus-like
presence.  No matter what your religious orientation,
Neeley makes you believe, as he floats upward on the
cross at the end of the play, that he is on his way to
a special place, and that his presence will long be
felt.

Christina Rea-Briskin makes the role of Mary Magdalene
hers.  She sings well, interprets songs proficiently
and acts the role with conviction.  “I Don’t Know How
to Love Him,” her duet with Neeley, is compelling. 
“Could We Start Again, Please,”her duet with Chris
Gleim (Peter) brought screaming appreciation from the
audience.

Aaron Fuksa’s “King  Herod’s Song,” was a sight and
sound show-stopping delight.

Capsule judgment:.  This, the 2006 national tour of
Superstar, is supposedly Neeley’s swan song. 
Supposedly it is his final appearance in the role. 
So, if the public relations is true, you’d better get
down to the Palace and see him now.  It’s worth the
trip!

‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’ runs through December 19 at
the Palace Theatre in Playhouse Square.  For tickets
call 216-241-6000, 800-766-6048 or go on line to
www.playhousesquare.com.


Roy Berko's theatre blog, which includes his reviews of plays and dance programs from 2003 through 2006, can be found at http://royberkinfo.blogspot.com  
      Information regarding his consulting and publications and older theatre and dance reviews can be found at www.royberko.info.  
      Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.


 
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