New Tampa Players is Bringing JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to Their Home Stage at the University Area CDC

New Tampa Players is bringing Jesus Christ Superstar to their home stage at the University Area CDC March 31 through April 2 and April 7 through April 9, but first they have been taking the show on the road. Earlier this month, the cast performed a musical revue for the resident families at Metropolitan Ministries. "Rehearsals for Superstar have been demanding, so I wasn't sure how the cast would feel about giving up a Saturday," Director G. Frank Meekins said, "but in the end it was a privilege to be able to share musical theater with adults and children who might not otherwise get to see a live performance like this."

New Tampa Players is also partnering with Metropolitan Ministries during Jesus Christ Superstar to help fill an urgent need at the Metropolitan Ministries food pantry. "If you bring a box of cereal to any show, you get one dollar off the price of admission," said Nora Paine, Director of Production.

"NTP Cares has become a core part of what we do at New Tampa Players," Paine explained. "For us, the 'community' part of community theatre means that we bring theatre and a helping hand anywhere we can in the Tampa Bay Area."

The performance at Metropolitan Ministries started with "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma sung by Brian Beach, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. ChElsie Smith (Mary Magdalene) sang "In My Own Little Corner" from Cinderella, and Cody Carlson (Judas) sang "Left Behind" from Spring Awakening. Jarrett W. Koski (Peter) sang "Suppertime" from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Miguel Rodriguez (Herod) sang "Herod's Song" from Jesus Christ Superstar. The entire ensemble, led by Carlson, closed out the revue with the title song "Superstar" from Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Metropolitan Ministries performance is just the latest NTP Cares event. Last summer the cast of Beauty and the Beast volunteered with Metropolitan Ministries in the kitchen, served lunch at Trinity Cafe, and performed for the foster children at A Kid's Place of Tampa Bay. Last fall, the cast of Into the Woods also performed at A Kid's Place. Jesus Christ Superstar also marks the third production running that New Tampa Players has partnered with the Heart Gallery of Tampa Bay to raise adoption awareness at every show.

New Tampa Players' partnership with the University Area CDC also continues to provide opportunities to help out and share theatrical arts with the community. NTP volunteers help with UACDC events such as Paint the Town and Heart to Heart, and especially with the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program. New Tampa Players has presented workshops on singing, acting, and auditioning for Prodigy students-and arranged an occasional behind the scenes tour.

Jarrett W. Koski, New Tampa Players actor and choreographer, said, "One of my favorite parts of working with NTP over the last few years is being able to bring theatre to the the community. These gigs around the Bay Area are for audiences who maybe know of the songs but have never seen them performed. I've actually found a greater appreciation for the arts in this company and in these audiences where it's not only about the arts."

Performance dates and times for Jesus Christ Superstar are Friday, March 31 at 8PM, Saturday, April 1 at 2PM and 8PM, Sunday, April 2 at 2PM, Friday, April 7 at 8PM, Saturday, April 8 at 2PM and 8PM, and Sunday, April 9 at 2PM. Ticket prices are $25 dollars for adults, $23 dollars for students/senior, and $20 for groups of 10 or more. All performances are at University Area CDC at 14013 N. 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33613. For more information about New Tampa Players and Jesus Christ Superstar, go to www.newtampaplayers.org or @NewTampaPlayers on Facebook.

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