[NEohioPAL] LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW: Near West Theatre's Vital, Visceral, Invigorating 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

[Cleve Land via NEohioPAL]

*  LAND OF CLEVE REVIEW: *

*       Near West Theatre *

*      Works Miracles with *

*Vital, Visceral, Invigorating *

*    'Jesus Christ Superstar'*


Chaos erupts among the multitudes during the prelude to the production
of *Jesus
Christ Superstar, *currently being presented by Near West Theatre.
Fortunately, a miracle worker is in their midst.


Director Bob Navis, Jr deserves to be canonized for taking on such a
daunting challenge. He has cast several dozen actors in the rock musical,
and populates the stage every chance he gets with intriguing action and
business.

In addition to the strong yet sensitive portrayals by Cruz and Chebo,
standouts among the powerfully-voiced principles include Kevin Joseph Kelly
as brooding Pilate and George Morgan as conflicted Judas Iscariot.


Lawrence Young, Bob Zombar, Kevin Conroy, Lauren Dockery, Jen Ryan, and
Hans Holznagel make up an impressively oppressive pack of priestly
provocateurs. Jeffrey Braun revels in his over-the-top number as King
Herod, backed up by Angie Bendahan and Connie Wynn.

An accessible array of performers portray the Apostles. The gregarious
group features Venchise Glenn, Hillary Horton, Mike Knobloch, Jocelyn
Perkins, Mary Prucha, Eric Ritter, Daniel Ross, Brandon Schumacker, and
Cole Tarantowski. Sara Chapman is electrifying as crowd leader Simon
Zealotes, while Aaron Phillips finds the humanity in put-upon Peter.

The all-ages ensemble brings anarchy and intensity to their roles as
disciples, merchants, media members, and others. They include Felix Albino,
Edie Barcelona, Angie Bendahan, Raymond Boyd, Jeffrey E . Braun, Sara
Danielle Chapman, Sharron DeCosta, Lauren Dockery, Angela Galarza, Hillary
Geraldine, Venchise Glenn, Lindsay Hajostek, Hannah Horton, Corinne Howery,
Sophie Hull, Angellise Irizarry, Rachel Johanek, Louis Johnson II, Kevin
Joseph Kelly, Meg Kilbane, Bryen Kilbane, Sabrina Kim, Mike Knobloch, Jonas
Kukelhan, Christine Larson, Elliot Lockshine, Nora Loughridge van Lier,
Roger Lowe, Amaya Moore, Finn O’Malia, Jocelyn Perkins, Aaron Phillips,
Mary Prucha, Eric Ritter, Lillian Ross, Daniel Ross, Aaron Rutz, Jennifer
Ryan, Brandon Schumacker, Cole Tarantowski, Piet van Lier, Kyanie Vazquez,
Connie Wynn, Lawrence Young, and Bob Zombar...


*READ THE FULL REVIEW AT:*


http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2014/11/cleve-review-near-west-theatre-works.html
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