Jesus Christ Superstar To Play the Benedum Center, Closes 8/14

Audiences will be captivated by Pittsburgh CLO's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, August 2-14 at the Benedum Center! This powerful rock opera takes viewers on an emotional journey through the final days of Jesus of Nazareth. Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar start at $21.75 and are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square.

This stirring musical chronicles Jesus' meteor-like rise and ultimate death through the troubled eyes of his betrayer Judas. Both thought-provoking and tender, Jesus Christ Superstar illuminates the awe-inspiring power of the human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart. The stirring and contemporary score will hold you spellbound: "Everything's Alright," "I Don't Know How To Love Him" and "What's the Buzz?"

ABOUT THE CAST
Doug Kreeger (Jesus) makes his Pittsburgh CLO debut. He originated the role of Ian in Off- Broadway's Rooms: A Rock Romance and starred as Richard Loeb in Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story. Mr. Kreeger's performances have been called "compelling" by both The New York Times & New York Post and "riveting" by Rex Reed in The New York Observer. He appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables and toured internationally as Danny in Grease and Berger in Hair. He also appeared as Chita Rivera's boy-toy in the sold-out production of Kander & Ebb's The Visit at the Signature Theatre. Regionally, Mr. Kreeger has appeared at Arkansas Rep, Barrington Stage, Bay Street Theatre, Metrostage, GeVa Theatre, The Old Globe and Yale Rep. Mr. Kreeger studied at RADA and is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.

Josh Tower (Judas) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after his acclaimed performance as John in 2010's Miss Saigon. Theater credits include: Simba in Disney's The Lion King (Broadway & original Gazelle Tour), Ragtime (Broadway & Chicago), Parade at the Mark Taper Forum, Judas in CLO Southbay's Jesus Christ Superstar, Prince Gallant in The Princess & the Black-Eyed Pea at San Diego Rep, Violet, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Dreamgirls, Chess, The Bubbly Black Girl..., Leap of Faith, The Times, As You Like It, Once on this Island, Joseph..., Godspell, Baby, Avenue X, Three Penny Opera and Cymbeline, in addition to his film and television work.

Will Blum (King Herod) makes his Pittsburgh CLO debut. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, he is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory (BFA, Musical Theatre) and made his Broadway debut as Roger in Grease. He was most recently seen in the National Tour of Seussical (Horton). Mr. Blum's regional credits include: Big River (Huck), A Funny Thing...Forum (Hysterium) and Sweet Charity (Oscar).

Robert Cuccioli (Pontius Pilate) returns to Pittsburgh CLO to perform in Jesus Christ Superstar after recently starring in The Sound of Music and directing Jekyll & Hyde. He was nominated for a Tony® Award for his portrayal of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde on Broadway and also starred as Javert in the Broadway production of Les Misérables. Mr. Cuccioli's other Pittsburgh CLO credits include: Les Misérables, Barry Manilow's Copacabana, Funny Girl, Guys and Dolls, Bells are Ringing and The Pajama Game.

Jeff Howell (Annas) is a Pittsburgh actor/singer who has a long list of theater and concert credits. He was last seen on the Benedum stage in Pittsburgh CLO's 2011 productions of The Sound of Music and Jekyll & Hyde. Mr. Howell also appeared in Pittsburgh CLO's 2010 production of Oliver! His other onstage credits include: Beauty and the Beast, Candide, Bells are Ringing, A Musical Christmas Carol, Chicago, Man of La Mancha and as Fezziwig in the world premiere of Christopher Durang's Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge. His television credits include: "All My Children," "The Young and the Restless," "Equal Justice" and "The Oksana Baiul Story." Films: "The Cemetery Club," "Sudden Death," "The Dark Half" and "The Bride in Black."

Stephanie Umoh (Mary Magdalene) makes her Pittsburgh CLO debut. She was most recently seen as Sarah in Ragtime on Broadway. Her Off-Broadway theater credits include: Tin Pan Alley Rag with the Roundabout Theatre Company, Falling for Eve (Eve) at the York Theatre, Mona and Luck. Miss Umoh has also appeared in Johnny Baseball (Daisy), Aida (Aida), A Christmas Carol (Lily/Belle) and Hair (Sheila). She was recently awarded the 2009-2010 Theater World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. Miss Umoh is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory.

James Zannelli (Caiphas) makes his Pittsburgh CLO debut. He has been performing regionally and has participated in various readings and showcases in New York City. Most recently Mr. Zannelli played Uncle Ernie in The Who's Tommy at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island, SC. Favorite credits: Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess and Jekyll & Hyde (starring Sebastian Bach).

The cast of Jesus Christ Superstar will also be joined by 12 students from the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater, many making their Benedum Center debuts!

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM

Charles Repole (Director) has directed numerous productions for Pittsburgh CLO including Curtains, Barry Manilow's Copacabana, Annie Get Your Gun, 42nd Street, Annie, Singing in the Rain, My Fair Lady, Carousel and Cinderella. He also directed the critically-acclaimed production of 42nd Street in 2008 at North Shore Music Theatre. His New York City and Broadway directing credits include the highly-acclaimed concert versions of Dubarry Was a Lady and Call Me Madam and the revival of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, among others. As an actor, Mr. Repole has appeared on Broadway in Doubles, Whoopee! and Very Good Eddie, which earned him a Tony® Award nomination and a Theatre World Award. Mr. Repole is presently the Chairman of the Drama, Theatre and Dance Department at Queens College and was the recipient of the 2001 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Liza Gennaro (Choreographer) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after choreographing The Pajama Game, Kiss Me Kate, Gypsy, My Fair Lady, The Most Happy Fella, The Secret Garden and Fiorello. She choreographed the critically-acclaimed Broadway revival of The Most Happy Fella directed by Gerald Gutierrez, which received four Tony® Award nominations including Best Revival of a Musical. Ms. Gennaro has choreographed productions for the Old Globe Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Theatre Virginia, Theatre Under the Stars, The Doolittle and Hartford Stage, where she choreographEd Martin Guerre, directed by Mark Lamos. She also choreographed The Guthrie Theatre's revival of Babes in Arms, directed by Garland Wright. She is an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University and has taught dance extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. Her essay "Evolution of Dance..." will appear in The Oxford Handbook of the American Musical.

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 16th season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, Les Misérables, Me and My Girl, Cats and Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as "Crazy For You" and the "Today Show." Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

John McLain (Lighting Designer) returns for his 22nd season with Pittsburgh CLO, which began in 1988 with The Wizard of Oz. His credits include: major musicals, ballet, opera, Las Vegas, Broadway, road shows, ice shows and many international productions.

HISTORY OF THE SHOW

Jesus Christ Superstar, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, was the first musical to be produced by Webber and Rice for the professional stage. Originally conceived as a rock opera album that topped American music charts, Jesus Christ Superstar is a modern take on a traditional passion play, incorporating contemporary vernacular and attitudes into the Gospel's retelling of the last week of Jesus' life.

Before debuting on Broadway, Jesus Christ Superstar premiered in concert at Pittsburgh's own Civic Arena. This dramatic venue featuring the world's first retractable roof was built in 1962 for Pittsburgh CLO audiences to enjoy "theater under the stars." On July 12, 1971, an excited crowd of over 13,000 fans packed the arena to witness the first authorized concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Just a few months later, Jesus Christ Superstar opened on Broadway on October 12, 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. The original cast included Jeff Fenholt as Jesus of Nazareth and Ben Vereen as Judas Iscariot. The show received four Tony® Award nominations for Best Original Score, Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design and Best Lighting Design. Ben Vereen received the 1972 Theatre World Award for his role as Judas, and Andrew Lloyd Webber was honored with the 1972 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Composer for the Jesus Christ Superstar musical score. Jesus Christ Superstar closed on Broadway in 1973 after 711 performances.

Jesus Christ Superstar has been translated into multiple languages and performed in more than 25 countries around the world, including Ireland, Brazil, Hungary, India, New Zealand, Italy, France, Mexico, Chile and Bulgaria. The show was also revived on Broadway in 2000 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, earning a Tony® Award nomination for Best Revival of a Musical.

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM

Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music) is a critically-acclaimEd English composer who has written 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of variations, two film scores and a Latin Requiem Mass. His credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jeeves, Evita, Cats, Song and Dance, Starlight Express, Aspects of Love, Sunset Boulevard, Whistle Down the Wind, The Beautiful Game, Bombay Dreams and The Woman in White. One of Mr. Lloyd Webber's most successful musicals, The Phantom of the Opera, holds the record for having the longest run in Broadway history (over 23 years). He has been honored with Pittsburgh CLO's own Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theater, seven Tony® Awards, three Grammys, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, The Kennedy Center Honor and a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II. Mr. Lloyd Webber also currently owns seven London theaters, including the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the Really Useful Group, one of the largest theatrical operation companies in London.

Tim Rice (Lyrics) is an English lyricist and author who is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber and his work with the Walt Disney Studios. His theater credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Blondel, Chess, Cricket, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, King David, Aida and The Likes of Us, among others. Film credits include "Aladdin," "The Lion King" and "The Road to El Dorado." Mr. Rice has been honored with three Tony® Awards, three Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy and the 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics for Evita. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999 and was named a Disney Legend in 2002. Mr. Rice also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008.

TICKETS

Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar start at $21.75 and are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Special discounts and packages are available for groups. Groups of 10 or more may call 412-325-1582.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

August 2
Tuesday
8pm
August 9
Tuesday
8pm
August 3
Wednesday
8pm
August 10
Wednesday
8pm
August 4
Thursday
1 pm & 8pm
August 11
Thursday
8pm
August 5
Friday
8pm
August 12
Friday
8pm
August 6
Saturday
2pm & 8pm
August 13
Saturday
2pm & 8pm
August 7
Sunday
2pm
August 14
Sunday
2pm

Pittsburgh CLO gratefully acknowledges the generosity of PNC for its sponsorship of Jesus Christ Superstar as part of the PNC Spotlight Series. Pittsburgh CLO is also proud to recognize our Season Sponsors: American Airlines, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WTAE-TV.