[NEohioPAL] Review of Jesus Christ Superstar at Brecksville Theater on the Square

[Steven {Steve} Brown]

Brecksville Theater on the Square's 'Superstar' a must see:
Theater Review

By Chuck Poliafico, Sun News <http://connect.cleveland.com/user/cpolifiaco/posts.html> Sun News
on March 14, 2013 at 12:00 PM, updated March 14, 2013 at 12:06 PM


BRECKSVILLE - Brecksville Theater on the Square is presenting the rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" through March 24. But beware - this is not your father's "Jesus Christ Superstar."

This Brecksville production is much more edgier, darker, angrier and visually more stunning, with outstanding performances and strong musical voices. In short - it is a far superior show than any "Jesus Christ Superstar" produced locally on stage that succeeds and entertains on all levels.

Director Geoffrey Short and Music Director Jason Falkofsky take this 1971 production - that became a religious revival on Broadway last year - about the final days of Jesus through the eyes of Judas, and they give it an edge that makes this musical simply superb. Not only did Short and Falkofsky acquire an amazing talent of performers and voices, but, along with Technical Director Hadden Hippsley, they created a visually impressive production.

Centering the musical are Rick McGuigan as Jesus, Joe Pine as Judas and Rachel Anderson as Mary Magdalene. All three performers are outstanding, both in their performances and singing abilities.

McGuigan is simply amazing. His performance covers a wide spectrum of emotions from weariness while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane realizing what is about to happen and shortly before his arrest, to anger as his followers desecrate the temple where they were making money. It is McGuigan that keeps the pace of this production moving well and his final scenes as he is placed on the cross are powerful and moving.

As Judas, Pine is emotionally charged and gives one of the best performances on stage. Pine starts off the production well with the musical numbers "Heaven on Their Minds" and "Strange Thing Mystifying." But Pine continues to get stronger and more powerful as he goes along, as if he is saving the best for later in the show. By the time he gets to "Damned for All Time/Blood Money" at the end of the first act, and "The Arrest" and "Judas' Death" in the second act, Pine is a force to be reckoned with on stage.

While the role of Mary Magdalene is not as involved throughout the show as Jesus and Judas, Anderson gives a touching and tender performance as the woman in love. Her main song that became a well known hit in the 70's from the show, "I Don't Know How to Love Him," is one of the highlights in the first act.

Not only are the main performances consummately impressive, but so are the supporting players. Nick Bailey as Pilate is vocally impressive and his voice is powerful and pure; Jim Jarrell in the roles of Herod and Annas is campy and fun, and his musical number "Herod's Song" is a highlight in the second act.

Dave Williams as Caiaphas is a commanding figure on stage and his bass voice was perfect and precise for the production; and Jacob Schafer is just as impressive in his supporting turn as Peter, the Apostle who denies he knows Jesus.

Also the three priests of Sally Spitz, Jeanette Luli and Beth Lee were sinister and sassy, dressed in long black leather coats and dark makeup.

Visually, the show is astounding. The set is comprised of two large stands with a screen and several boxes that the actors use and move around. Projected on the screens are a variety of images and shadows that go along with the production along with a variety of lights that help give the proper mood to each musical number.

Short, listed as set designer, and Hippsley, who is lighting designer and technical director, bring much to an already outstanding production. So does choreographer Jen Justice, who keeps the actors moving well on a stage that does not have a lot of space to dance around.

Brecksville Theater on the Square's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" is passionate, brilliant, edgy and entertaining. It is a dark and powerful production that shouldn't be missed.

"Jesus Christ Superstar" continues through March 24 with shows at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at Brecksville Old Town Hall at the northwest corner of Brecksville and Royalton roads. To purchase tickets or for more information contact the theater's box office at 440-526-3443 or visit the theater's website at btots.org.<http://btots.org.%3c/em>

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