Review: Jesus Christ Superstar

David Caldwell (center) and the cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
at Seattle Musical Theatre
Photo by Jeff Carpenter

Jesus Christ Superstar

Music by

Andrew Lloyd Webber 

Lyrics by 

Tim Rice

Directed by Billie Wildrick

Music Direction by Brandon Peck 

Choreography by Troy Wageman

Seattle Musical Theater

September 11 to October 4, 2015

Review by Victoria Gilleland

This classic Rock Opera tells the story of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ and of his relationship with Judas Iscariot amid the political struggles of the time. The setting is in a future time and place, perhaps a thousand years from now, in a post-apocalyptic world. The futuristic setting of this ancient story makes for a unique theatrical experience certainly different than the original production of the early 1970s. 

The sound system was problematic ... at times voices seemed to be over-amplified and distorted. This was very distracting throughout the production. Hopefully this issue has been resolved.

The show is loaded with great songs ... more than two dozen in total,  but my favorites are Heaven on Their Minds, Everything’s Alright, I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and of course Superstar.  

Megan Tyrell as Mary Magdalene
Seattle Musical Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar
Photo by Jeff Carpenter

David Caldwell has an extraordinary voice and is an impressive Jesus of Nazareth. Megan Tyrrell, who plays Mary Magdalene in the production, has a marvelous voice. Her rendition of I Don’t Know How to Love Him is particularly moving. An unexpected twist is to cast Sara Henley-Hicks as Judas, but why not a female portraying Judas?

  

The music was fabulous, the choreography magnificent and the lighting very creative.

  

If you think you might enjoy a modern take on this traditional story see Jesus Christ Superstar at Seattle Musical Theater!

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