Sara Bareilles to Play Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar Live! in Concert

[curel1]

https://www.broadway.com/buzz/190833/sara-bareilles-to-play-mary-magdalene-in-nbcs-jesus-christ-superstar-live-in-concert/

[DramaTeach]

Not my favorite show, but they have two big names that'll appeal to somewhat varied audiences. Good luck to all involved.

[Call_me_jorge]

“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

Didn't realize they are filming in Brooklyn. Wonder what the ticket situation will be? All comps? For sale?

[thirtythirtyninety]

Fantastic! Going for a real all-star cast this time

[RippedMan]

She's gonna nail this! I kind of hate the song, but I can't wait to hear her sing it. And I'm sure the audience would be all comped. I don't think they charge for any TV tapings. 

[Liza's Headband]

Call_me_jorge said: "“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?"

 

Correct. It's a "staged" concert; not a theatrical performance or full-scale production. Not sure how everyone is missing this. There are going to be a lot of disappointed musical theatre nerds come April.... 

[jimmycurry01]

Liza's Headband said: "Call_me_jorge said: "“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?"



Correct. It's a "staged" concert; not a theatrical performance or full-scale production. Not sure how everyone is missing this. There are going to be a lot of disappointed musical theatre nerds come April...."

I don't think so. We have had filmed staged concerts of JCS before. I doubt many will be disappointed at all.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

A Jesus of color, Sara Bareilles... they are paying attention to my list!

[Liza's Headband]

jimmycurry01 said: "Liza's Headband said: "Call_me_jorge said: "“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?"



Correct. It's a "staged" concert; not a theatrical performance or full-scale production. Not sure how everyone is missing this. There are going to be a lot of disappointed musical theatre nerds come April...."

I don't think so. We have had filmed staged concerts of JCS before. I doubt many will be disappointed at all."

 

I'm referring to the fact that many on here are confused. They still don't understand it's a concert of the show, not a reading or production. Just suggesting some might be sorely disappointed when they realize it won't be in a more theatrical setting. 

[jimmycurry01]

Liza's Headband said: "jimmycurry01 said: "Liza's Headband said: "Call_me_jorge said: "“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?"



Correct. It's a "staged" concert; not a theatrical performance or full-scale production. Not sure how everyone is missing this. There are going to be a lot of disappointed musical theatre nerds come April...."

I don't think so. We have had filmed staged concerts of JCS before. I doubt many will be disappointed at all."



I'm referring to the fact that many on here are confused. They still don't understand it's a concert of the show, not a reading or production. Just suggesting some might be sorely disappointed when they realize it won't be in a more theatrical setting."

It is a staged concert though, so it will be more similar to a production. We are likely getting something similar to what is seen in the Live Arena Tour, or something similar to one of the Staged Concert Sweeney Todd productions. It will still be staged. I have not noticed any confusion anywhere about this in any of the discussions about it. I admit that I may have missed something.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

I just wonder if it will be based on the quasi-concert staging of the Open Air production, since (judging by all the gold dust, a prominent design element in that production, in the tour logo) that seems to be what they'll be shipping out across the States next year.

[adamgreer]

It’s just odd to me that they would get David Leveaux if they were essentially planning to restage the arena tours.

[Call_me_jorge]

When I think of a concert I think of the Les Mis performances. So is it going to be in that fashion? When it’s like semi staged, but mostly people singing into microphones? Or will it be a full on production like the previous live events?

[smallvillefan16]

Liza's Headband said: "Call_me_jorge said: "“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?"



Correct. It's a "staged" concert; not a theatrical performance or full-scale production. Not sure how everyone is missing this. There are going to be a lot of disappointed musical theatre nerds come April...."

 

I completely thought it was another staged live musical.  There's gonna be a lot of confused people.  Sara is nice and talented, but talk about a boring choice to play, well, anything.  She has so spark or pizazz and lacks the strong vocals for the songs. 

[BrodyFosse123]

I'm referring to the fact that many on here are confused. They still don't understand it's a concert of the show, not a reading or production. Just suggesting some might be sorely disappointed when they realize it won't be in a more theatrical setting.

I agree what many on here are saying: many will be put-off by the concert-staging as most will be expecting the full-production levels these live TV Musical Events have had in the past.  I wouldn't be surprised if ratings drop noticeably minutes after the broadcast begins due to this.  Same reason ratings dropped quickly for FOX TV's A CHRISTMAS STORY Live! as it wasn't marketed as a musical so most viewers were put-off with the singing as they were expecting a live recreation of the original non-musical film.  

[Liza's Headband]

It will not be a "staged reading." It's going to be more of a concert with minimal theatricality (aside from the theatricality inherent in such a piece as this). Yes, think more of the Les Miserables anniversary stagings and less all-star Company scaled-down presentation staging. 

[freewilma]

I hope they are planning on doing something similar to the Live Arena tour (available for rent on iTunes).  I thought it worked really well and was a fresh, contemporary interpretation of what is essentially an opera.  

[MikeInTheDistrict]

I'm imagining something closer to Tyler Perry's Passion from 2016. That was semi-staged. Modern dress, multiple outdoor locations throughout Brooklyn, audiences at each location, some scenes (Hosanna? Simon Zealotes?) filmed on the street with audience participation, etc.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

According to previous articles, it will play live before a paying audience at the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn. No mention of outdoor or on-the-street locations to be found, which doesn't rule them out, but doesn't rule them in either.

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Oh, interesting. A static concert staging seems a bit underwhelming compared to the more dynamic way they’ve been doing these live events. It seems like they are sinking most of the money into putting together the cast and keeping the production budget as low as possible. I guess that’s preferable to an expensive production with a cast with no star power.

[Islander_fan]

g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "According to previous articles, it will play live before a paying audience at the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn. No mention of outdoor or on-the-street locations to be found, which doesn't rule them out, but doesn't rule them in either."

I may be wrong, but, I was under the impression that typically, tickets for TV show tapings are free. 

[Valentina3]

MikeInTheDistrict said: "Oh, interesting. A static concert staging seems a bit underwhelming compared to the more dynamic way they’ve been doing these live events. It seems like they are sinking most of the money into putting together the cast and keeping the production budget as low as possible. I guess that’s preferable to an expensive production with a cast with no star power. "

I for one did not care for the "dynamic" staging of Hairspray Live!, A Christmas Story, and to a certain extent, Grease. There was too much visible running around and cast looked flustered at times. I think the way Grammys sometimes does shows (multiple venues, with camera just switching to something else) might work for some scenes, but if this is truly a concert production - I'd prefer a single stage (or single venue at least). The production value can still be pretty high with something like that.

[RippedMan]

I think it will just be a concert, like the Lincoln Center things. But probably with a little more pizazz given it's got the director it has and it's not in a "conventional' venue. 

[South Fl Marc]

Liza's Headband said: "Call_me_jorge said: "“Live! In Concert?” Will this be more of a concert than an actual theatre performance?"



Correct. It's a "staged" concert; not a theatrical performance or full-scale production. Not sure how everyone is missing this. There are going to be a lot of disappointed musical theatre nerds come April...."

Hmmm. Don't know how I missed that .. but I did. A concert? Good. Now I can miss the show too. Sounds BORING.