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

Wed Dec 6 18:09:43 PST 2006

Ian Gillan was the voice of Jesus on the original
concept album. Jeff Fenholt was the first to play
Jesus on Broadway (Ben Vareen was Judas)in 1971.It
closed after only 18 months. In 1972 Paul Nicholas
played Jesus in the London Production. it played for 8
yrs. Ted Neely took the role for the 1973 film which
was the eigth top grossing film of that year. He was
nominated for a Golden Globe.

I saw the show last night and loved it. I have seen
the show in many incarnations. With exception to my
own performance as Jesus at Kent State Stark in 2002,
This latest version is my favorite.

www.aldiamondphillips.com

--- Roy Berko <royberko at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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
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> 
>  
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