Emerson Umbrella Center for Arts Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Now thru 4/14

Emerson Umbrella Center for Arts is gearing up for its spring season and a brand new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. The run opens tonight, March 29th and will play a limited engagement through April 14th.

Regarding the show, R&H Theatricals says ""It seems especially fitting that the first rock opera, created as a concept album at the end of the turbulent '60s, should have at its center a social and political rebel. Jesus' meteor-like rise in renown provides, as the title suggests, a parallel to contemporary celebrity worship. As his radical teachings are evermore embraced, Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of this new prophet, resulting in betrayal. Christ's final days are dramatized with emotional intensity, thought-provoking edge and explosive theatricality. Propelled by a stirring score, by turns driving and majestic, satirical and tender, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR illuminates the transcendent power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart."

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR originally opened on Broadway in 1971 and has enjoyed several revivals and regional productions since. It took home 5 Tony Award nominations in 1972 and both the 2000 and 2012 productions were recognized with nominations for Best Revival of a Musical.

The EU production is moving towards an excitingly modern interpretation led by Director, Benjamin D. Rush (Artistic Director, Wellesley Theatre Project,) blood pumping choreography by Hannah Shihdanian and Musical Direction by James Murphy. JCS is produced by Brian Boruta (Next to Normal, The Rocky Horror Show, Sweeney Todd,) and features costumes by award winning designer, Susan Yanofsky (Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show.)

The creative team is happy to have a cast featuring the talents of Tim McShea, who EU audiences may recognize from his performances as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and Don Lockwood in Singin' in the Rain, as Judas Iscariot, Jess Andra as Mary Magdalene and Aidan Nevin in the title role. Adding to the cast are: Michael Anthony, Cat Claus, Chantal Desjardins, Katy Downey, Channa Gilbert, Grant Harris, Lance Levine, Cristhian Mancinas-Garcia, Tom Richardson, Brian Ryder, Michael Scholl, Adam Sherkanowski and Tyler Sperry.

JCS will run tonight, March 29, 30, April 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at 8pm. April 7 at 6pm and April 14 at 3pm. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. For information or to purchase tickets visit www.emersonumbrella.org or call 978.371.0820.

Emerson Umbrella enriches lives and builds a vibrant community through the arts. We inspire creativity, learning, and personal growth through arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations.