BWW Reviews: Alpha/Omega Players Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, is the latest production at Alpha/Omega Players in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. This show is loosely based on the last week of Jesus's life. Alpha/Omega does a decent job taking on this large production, as they creatively use the small space they have to fit a very large cast. Alpha/Omega's production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a satisfactory show with some intense moments.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a rock opera that was written in 1970 with the music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The show opened on Broadway in 1971, and ran until 1973. The musical is loosely based on the Gospels' account of the last week of Jesus's life. This show does not depict the resurrection of Jesus, which was a surprise to a few people in the audience who had not seen the show before, and therefore follows the form of traditional passion play.

Under the direction of Mark A. Drey, this production sticks as closely as possible to recreating a passion play, and seems to miss the mark on taking on the contemporary retelling that Webber and Rice intended. There was a lack of boldness with the costumes and lighting in this show, which gave it more of a passion play feel than a theatrical experience. However, there are some great performances in this production that makes it worth seeing. Playing the role of Judas is Corey Buller. His first vocal is strong in the song, "Heaven on Their Minds," and Buller continues to be a presence on stage throughout the entire show. Kyle Monaghan plays Jesus of Nazareth, and he successfully demonstrates a powerful voice and physical dexterity; from the sadness in the song "Poor Jerusalem" to the agony in his final scenes, Monaghan gave an impressive performance. Olivia Damore plays Mary Magdalene and she gives a powerful performance, especially in the song "I Don't Know How to Love Him." There are two numbers in this production which were particularly dynamic and daring, and those are "King Herod's Song" and "Superstar." Chris Weiss is perfectly cast as King Herod, and he gives his number energy and zaniness. "Superstar" is a glittery rendition featuring Corey Buller and the Soul Singers (Lauren Drey, Melissa Kauffman, and Emily Kuhns.) "Superstar" is the song that everyone knows from this show, and it definitely is one of the best numbers in the show.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR runs through August 10, 2014 at Alpha/Omega Players. For more information and tickets visit their website at www.alphaomegaplayers.org or call their box office at 610-404-4844.

Photos courtesy of Alpha/Omega Players