Up and Coming Theatre Co. to Mark 20th Anniversary with JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, 8/2-4

Up and Coming Theatre Company will present "Jesus Christ Superstar" as its 20th anniversary production.

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4, at the Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center, 300 Church St. in Lake Zurich. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.

Often billed as a "rock opera," "Jesus Christ Superstar" chronicles the final days leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and death. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the dynamic and emotional score features memorable songs like "Superstar," "I Don't Know How to Love Him" and "Everything's Alright."

"This is a show we have been trying to do since the '90s," says Jorge Bermudez, UAC president and director of its 20th anniversary production. "With its universal themes of love and forgiveness, fear and betrayal, 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is a thrilling and compelling piece that evokes an emotional response from the audience. It is a show we believe all UAC members-past, present and new-can bring their families to enjoy."

First released as a concept album in 1970, "Jesus Christ Superstar" has been interpreted in a variety of ways over the years, on both stage and screen. UAC will present a modern take on the show, drawing parallels between the story of Christ and today's culture of celebrity worship.

"The show resonates today because of the story at its core," director Michael Gillis says. "We tried our best to come up with an interpretation of the Jesus narrative that would be faithful to the story itself but also keep in mind the community where the show was being performed. Therefore, we decided to set it out of time and place-or more specifically, to let the actors create the time and place within the theater."

Featuring 30 singers and dancers from the Chicago area, the production stars Timothy Michael Quinn as Jesus, John Anton Putz as Judas, and Lauren Baker as Mary. The cast also includes Corey Keane as Pilate, Phil Kaiser as Simon, Erica Chin as Caiaphas, Joseph Pape as Annas, Bob Spidale as Peter, Tara Duhan as Pilate's Wife, and Brendan Foley as Herod.

The production's music director is Chaz Williams-Ali, assisted by James Faust. Jennifer Cupani is the choreographer, and the stage manager is Hannah Binish. The production staff also includes Vlad Novikov, technical director/scenic design; Rich McMillan, master carpenter/scenic design; Alex Kinastowski, lighting/sound designer; and Jason Harrington, assistant producer/scenic design.

"This cast and production team is incredibly talented," executive producer Lindsey Weiss says. "'Jesus Christ Superstar' is a show that is open to interpretation, and our production offers a fresh take on the story that is both humorous and heart-wrenching."

Buy your tickets for UAC's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" today at upandcomingtheatre.brownpapertickets.com. For more information, visit www.uactheatre.com, or follow UAC on Facebook (www.facebook.com/uactheatre) and Twitter (@UACtheatre).

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