Village Theatre Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Opens May 12

Village Theatre is eagerly anticipating the opening of the upcoming Mainstage production of legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar. Featuring 1970s chart topping hits like "I Don't Know How To Love Him" and "Superstar," Village Theatre's production is directed by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winner Brian Yorkey (Next To Normal), with a cast led by international pop star Michael K. Lee (Broadway: Jesus Christ Superstar; Mainstage: The Who's TOMMY, The King and I) and local rising talent Aaron Finley (Mainstage: The Gypsy King) who will alternative in the roles of Jesus and Judas throughout the show's run. Jesus Christ Superstar will have one preview performance in Issaquah on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, and officially open the following evening on Thursday, May 12, 2011, running through July 3, 2011, before it moves up to Village Theatre's Everett, WA location to run July 8-31, 2011.

With Superstar, Yorkey leads an artistically bold and creatively dynamic production as he did on the Mainstage in 2007 production with The Who's TOMMY. Of his creative vision behind the story of two men charged by their desire to bring about change and justice in their world, he commented, "We're going to approach the story of Jesus Christ Superstar as a story of those two men [Jesus and Judas] and their world; and tell a very, very personal and very, very passionate story, in as fresh and immediate and intense a way as we can. If we can bring as much truth and as much passion as we can, what may seem like a familiar story with nothing new to bring to it, will actually be a brand new and fresh experience for everyone who comes in and sits down and experiences it with us."

Superstar began as a concept album in 1970 before its varied incarnations on stage and film-Village Theatre is excited to offer audiences a live band experience that matches the dramatic intensity of this portrayal of the last seven days of Jesus' life. "Village Theatre has always prided itself on consistently backing it's productions with a live orchestra filled with top local musicians," Tim Symons, resident music director commented. "Superstar is no different, except that we're adding some of Seattle's top local rock talent. We've got an 11 piece band, complete with two guitars, two drummers, and a brass trio, all of whom are ready to rock the pants off of audience's night in and night out."

This is an updated retelling of Jesus Christ Superstar. There will be no robes and no sandals in this production; the artistic approach is modern and edgy, and the production value on par with Village Theatre's 2009 production of Show Boat. Jay Markham, production manager comments, "We're looking to execute some design elements onstage that will elevate Village Theatre's production values above what many of our audiences have seen on our stage. There are some fantastically cool effects and looks to this show."

Production team: Directed by Brian Yorkey (The Who's TOMMY, 2007; The Importance of Being Earnest, 2009; Lost in Yonkers, 2010), with choreography by Daniel Cruz (AIDA, 2008), music directed by Tim Symons (The Full Monty, 2010), scenic design by Matthew Smucker (Shadowlands, 2007); lighting design by Alex Berry (Beauty and the Beast, 2008-2009; The Who's TOMMY, 2007), costume design by Melanie Burgess (The King and I, 2007-2008; Sleuth, 2011), sound design by Gino Scarpino (The Full Monty, 2010; Iron Curtain, 2011), associate direction by Brandon Ivie (Asst. Director, Lost in Yonkers, 2010), and fight direction by Geoffrey Alm (The Gypsy King, 2010).

Tickets: Issaquah:
$20-$60, Box Office (425) 392-2202 or (866) 688-8049
Everett:
$19-$54, Box Office (425) 257-8600 or (888) 257-3722
www.villagetheatre.org
Student & Military Rush: ½ price 30 minutes prior to curtain for any available seat. Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more

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