FLASH: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Returns (Again)
by Pat Cerasaro
- Mar 30, 2012
A few days shy of the holiest week of the year for Christians - aptly named Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter (with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the most sacred events on the calendar coming between) - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's seminal rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was resurrected on Broadway by TOMMY and JERSEY BOYS director Des McAnuff - modeled after the hit Stratford Shakespeare Festival production last year and comprised of many of the same cast members, including all three leads - to hails of praise and hosannas, mostly. While JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR itself will always divide audiences and critics alike - and not merely because of its controversial content and its button-pushing treatment of the hallowed tale it tells - the magnetism and sheer power that Lloyd Webber's propulsive, throbbing rock score imbues gives the show an energy, vitality and life rare to find in even the most earnestly effervescent and energetic of comparable entities - the recently revived and similarly-themed GODSPELL in a revival a few blocks away included. Then, there are Tim Rice's lyrics - oh-so-spot-on in 1970, but still biting and edgy today in McAnuff's hi-tech and elaborately presented new Broadway production. Using the book of John as the jumping off point, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ (Paul Nolan) and his subsequent betrayal by Judas (Josh Young) and sentencing to death at the hands of King Herod and Pontius Pilate (Tom Hewitt). The twelve apostles, Mary Magdalene and her female companions, lepers, Pharisees, priests and others populate the grand story told almost entirely through song - the show is 90% music - and Webber and Rice's score never, ever lets up. While this may not be the most faithful rendering as far as the Bible is concerned, nor the most historically accurate, SUPERSTAR is now available to experience for a whole new generation thanks to this new revival and the timing could not be more ideal. The time is ripe for a revival of SUPERSTAR, and, as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has recently related, this new production of the show is the best ever as far as he is concerned. High praise indeed - coming from no less than the Lord.
FLASH: Andrew Lloyd Webber Writes The Music Of The Night
by Pat Cerasaro
- Jan 27, 2012
This weekend, BroadwayWorld will be presenting an illuminating InDepth InterView with legendary composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber all about the enchanting new performance capture film version of his PHANTOM OF THE OPERA sequel, LOVE NEVER DIES. Until that chat, let's take a look back at some of the finest Andrew Lloyd Webber-related performances related to the entertainment dynasty built upon his operatic pop musical version of the classic Gaston Leroux novel that is about to celebrate its 10,000th performance on Broadway later this month, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, as well as its continuation, LOVE NEVER DIES, and the two revivals of his two classic 70s hit stage collaborations with previous InDepth InterView participant Sir Tim Rice coming back to Broadway in a big way - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA. Plus, a look at the new Simon Phillips-directed production of LOVE NEVER DIES coming to Fathom-equipped movie theaters nationwide on February 28 and March 7, with DVD & Blu-ray after that, as well as the PHANTOM 25 DVD & Blu-ray being released in the US on February 7. It's a busy time of year for phans, clearly! Fetch your favorite mask and check out these four Andrew Lloyd Webber delicacies before they arrive!
CD and DVD Recordings Of POE Set For Release April 6 In The US
by Gabrielle Sierra
- Apr 6, 2010
Following the recent death of the legendary songwriter and creator of the internationally-renowned Alan Parsons Project, Eric Woolfson, the late composer's musical POE -- about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe -- is being introduced in the U.S. with the release of the CD, 'POE' (subtitled 'More Tales of Mystery and Imagination') and DVD, 'POE, The World Premiere Showcase Performance at Abbey Road Studios' on April 6, 2010.
CD/DVD Recordings Of Eric Woolfson's POE Set For April Release In U.S.
by BWW News Desk
- Apr 1, 2010
Following the recent death of the legendary songwriter and creator of the internationally-renowned Alan Parsons Project, Eric Woolfson, the late composer's musical POE -- about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe -- is being introduced in the U.S. with the release of the CD, 'POE,' and DVD, 'POE, The World Premiere Showcase Performance at Abbey Road Studios' on April 6, 2010.
CD/DVD Recordings Of Eric Woolfson's POE Set For April Release In U.S.
by Gabrielle Sierra
- Mar 17, 2010
Following the recent death of the legendary songwriter and creator of the internationally-renowned Alan Parsons Project, Eric Woolfson, the late composer's musical POE -- about the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe -- is being introduced in the U.S. with the release of the CD, 'POE,' and DVD, 'POE, The World Premiere Showcase Performance at Abbey Road Studios' on April 6, 2010.
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