ART/WNY Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking 1970 rock-opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will be presented by the American Repertory Theater of WNY from March 8th to March 31st at the 330 Performance Space, 330 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY. Thursday to Saturday performances; 8 pm showtimes. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 student & military veterans. This pioneering and legendary rock opera is loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John accounting the last week of Jesus Christ's life. Andrew Lloyd Webber's music and Tim Rice's lyrics dynamically explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.

Matthew LaChiusa will direct this American Repertory Theater of WNY's March production. Buffalo theater veteran Donald Jenczka will make his music director debut with ART/WNY. Returning back to ART/WNY is Choreographer Clarissa Maloy with an outstanding ensemble featuring Christopher Teal, in the role Ted Neeley made famous, as 'Jesus Christ'. His counterpart in this production, Anthony Alcocer will make his return to ART/WNY in the role of 'Judas Iscariot'. ART/WNY alumni Candice Kogut will play the compelling role of 'Mary Magdalene' Rounding out some of the leads include ART/WNY alumni Nick Lama as 'Pontius Pilate' Making their ART/WNY debut in other roles include Elliot Fox as 'Caiaphas', Gary Andrews Steglitz as 'Herod', and Casey Moyer as "Simon Zealot'. An talented ensemble will feature ART/WNY newcomers Courtney Maj, Jack Kreuzer, Cameron Kogut;, Amy Feder, Joseph Spahn and Nate Andrew Miller alongside ART/WNY alumni Timothy Goehrig, Jasmine Fiero, Katherine Parker, Lisa Nicole Miller and Rich Kraemer rounding out the rest of the ensemble. The production will also feature student intern Madalyn Teal

"I remember as a kid listening to this album and having my mind blown away the minute the needle hit the record groove." Director Matthew LaChiusa. "I wore that LP out by listening to it over and over again. Now, a few decades later, I have the opportunity to direct this beloved piece with one helluva ensemble and a talented music director."

American Repertory Theater of WNY's production of the punk-rock musical AMERICAN IDIOT yielded several local award nominations for the company's efforts. This March production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's timeless rock-opera classic at ART/WNY has an incredible ensemble in place that will thrill and engage audiences in a similar delivery.

"The intimacy of ART/WNY's 330 performance space will bring a raw, organic feel to this particular production." LaChiusa on the March production. "Picture yourself catching this musical in a 50-seat, funky 1980's NYC's East Village performance space. We're taking JC Star from the over-produced, big arena rock sound and giving the show an intimate, honest interpretation."

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens on March 8th and runs to March 31st. Thursday through Saturday performances at the 330 Performance Space, 330 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY, 14217. Showtimes at 8 pm with doors opening at 7:30 pm. Ticket prices are $25 General Admission/$20 Student & Military Veterans.

For more information or order tickets online visit www.artofwny.org or call 716-697-0937. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am to 2 pm. Saturday Noon to 3 pm. Closed Sunday.

Photo Credit: Anthony Alcocer