Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Kimmel Cultural Campus - North American Tour
Photo credit: Evan Zimmerman for Murphy Made
Jesus Christ Superstar is currently performing it’s 50th Anniversary US tour. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this musical evolved from a concept album to a fully-fledged rock opera. Grossing over $237 million dollars worldwide, it has been nominated for and won many awards. Of course, a musical about Jesus Christ is bound to have some controversy but for the most part, any attention is good attention. How many musicals have been revitalised 50 years later?
Jesus Christ Superstar details the last few days of Jesus’ life and The Passion, set to a rocking 70’s set list with cast members rocking about with electric guitars and mics. The show’s actual band plays above the stage and makes appearances from time to time. Set and lighting design allow for the entire theatre to be used to its fullest, with actors running up and down the aisles flashing lights to allow the audience to feel as though they are a part of the show. During several scenes, glitter is used to represent blood (or sometimes water) and it is beautiful and easy to see from all seats in the theatre. We can’t imagine the mess to clean up but it sure is worth it! Our song of the night was ‘Herod’s Song’ with all of the glittery costumes and Vaudeville-style mockery; it’s fun and playful in this adaption.
Jesus Christ Superstar is an intense, 90-minute sung through rock opera with no intermission. The cast members dance and/or sing non-stop with very little in the way of scenery so they also end up carrying most of the props. The cast is led by Jack Hopewell as Jesus Christ, Elvie Ellis as Judas and Faith Jones as Mary Magdalene. Hopewell is able to portray one of the most famous people in history with simplicity and chill, 70’s hippie vibes. Ellis does a great job of being sympathetic but also villainous, whilst Jones has a beautiful voice that we could listen to all day. Other notable cast members are Nicholas Hambruch as Pontius Pilate, Erich W. Schleck as King Herod and Kodiak Thompson as Annas. This is a fairly large cast for a touring number and everyone really steps up and puts their best foot forward.
Jesus Christ Superstar might be named after Jesus but it really based on Judas’s internal struggle and can easily translate to more modern day struggles of good vs evil, which makes it a story that anyone can enjoy regardless of belief or non-belief. Jesus Christ Superstar is only in Philadelphia for about a week, so don’t wait to buy tickets because you don’t want to miss out on this supercharged musical!
Contemporary and imaginative.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Jamie Flowers
Jesus Christ Superstar plays at the Academy of Music until 7 May, with tickets available here.