Music Mountain Theatre in Lambertville opened the curtains for its second season with the production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The season’s opening show was performed on Sept. 7.
Using Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original music, the production was altered into a modern-day version of the original play, with an all-female cast. Richard Amelius, who came up with the concept and design for the show, also directed.
The show opened with a projector playing a slide show on the screen from the beginning of time to today. Starting from original sculpture art and ending with a video clip of Hillary Clinton securing the democratic nomination in the 2016 Presidential Election. The screen went black and words appear stating that the past will repeat itself.
Judas (Jenna Parrilla) entered the stage a performs a powerful rendition of ‘Heaven on their Minds.’ Through the song, Judas shares his (her?) concern over Jesus’ escalating admiration from people and the negative effects that could occur. Judas feels that even though he may love Jesus, he believes that he is a mortal man just like everyone else, not a god.
In the next scene, Mary Magdalene (Jennifer Fischer), all of the apostles and Jesus (Jill Palena) entered the stage. The present and ensemble performance of ‘What’s the Buzz?’ where they are asking Jesus what his plans are for the future. But, Jesus refuses to answer, as he keeps telling them that whatever happens will be determined by God.
Seeing how Jesus is being pressured by his followers, Mary Magdalene tries to comfort Jesus and get him to relax. Judas sees the two together and assumes that Jesus is going against his own preaching’s, Judas expresses this through the performance of, ‘Strange Things Mystifying.’
Jesus explained to Judas that he is with Mary now, and if Judas is without sin then he should not judge anyone else’s character. Jesus then turns on the other apostles and accuses them all for not caring about him or if he were to leave.
Mary, tried to comfort Jesus, anointed him with oil and performs, ‘Everything’s Alright.’ Judas sees this and reacts angrily on how money spent on oil could have been used to help the poor. Jesus explains to him that they do not have the resources to end all of poverty, and they should enjoy what they have now.
The scene changed to the meeting of Annas (Libby Honan), Caiaphas (Deborah Peckman), Matthias (Lauren Waksman), Theophilus (Morgan Tarrant), Elezar (Theresa Smith) and King Herod (Erin Looney). The six of them have growing concern over Jesus’ following. It seems that more and more Jews are refusing to accept the Roman Empire as their Rulers and some priests believe that Jesus could be a threat to them. They all perform, ‘This Jesus Must Die,’ and like the titled number indicates, they plan on killing him.
Jesus eventually arrived in Jerusalem with his followers lined behind him. Caiaphas demands that Jesus postpone his parade, but Jesus declines and proceeds to greet all of the Israelites through, ‘Hosanna.’
The crowd continued to cheer him on, and Jesus his suddenly asked if he will die for them. He immediately respondedswith concern, and soon Simon Zealots suggested to Jesus that he should revolt against the Roman Empire and gain absolute power. Jesus, through, ‘Poor Jerusalem,’ immediately turned down this suggestion and says that none of his followers know what true power is or understand his true message.
The scene changed and we met Pontius Pilate (Lauren Brader), for the first time. Pilate has had a dream where he meets a man in the form of Jesus, and the man tells him that Pilate will receive all of the blame for his violent death, while also predicting the rise of Christianity. This is all explained through the song, ‘Pilate’s Dream.’
Now arriving at the Jerusalem temple, the scene openedswith money changers and customers and it seems that the inside of the temple is some sort of a bazaar. Jesus entered and is immediately outraged. He drove everyone away, through the performance of, ‘The Temple,’ and says that a temple is a place for prayer.
Jesus is then confronted by lepers, cripples and beggars, who are all asking for Jesus to save them. He then began to heal them one by one, by the numbers keep increasing. Overwhelmed by the mass of people, Jesus screams at them to heal themselves and fleas from them.
Mary Magdalene then came to Jesus’ side and the two performed a reprise of, ‘Everything’s Alright.’ Jesus soon falls asleep, and Magdalene confesses that she truly is in love with him, unlike any man she has known before. Performing, ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him,’ we find out that even though Magdalene loves him, she is also frightened of loving him.
Judas, still conflicted with thoughts over Jesus, seeks out Caiaphas and Annas with the rest of the group and promised to help them arrest Jesus. Judas, felt guilty in the process, kept telling himself that Jesus would approve of this if he knew the motive behind the act, through the performance of, ‘Damned for all Time.’
Caiaphas and Annas asked for Judas to reveal the location of Jesus so that he can be apprehended. In exchange for this information, Judas is promised money, which he can do whatever he wants with it, even give it to the poor, which he seems so concerned about. The first act closesdwith the performance of, ‘Blood Money,’ in which Judas reveals Jesus’ location to Caiaphas and Annas.
While, Amelius’ idea for the concept was interesting, his use of the original music for the show made it difficult to follow, while also taking away from the authenticity of Webber’s 1970 rock opera.
Being that the show is a musical, every word spoken was in song. Understandably, it would have been hard to change the actual script because it would change the lyrics to the music, but, for example, it was very confusing when the actors kept saying they were in Jerusalem, while there was an American flag on the stage; or when there was talks of swords, the actors held guns.
It just seemed that I had to keep reminding myself that it was set in the modern day, up until Jesus received 39 shocks from a taser rather than lashes from a whip; or when he was crucified by lethal injection. It was an interesting concept, but poorly executed.
Honorable Mention:
Jill Palena as Jesus Christ put on a tremendous performance. Palena seemed to hit every single note and was an absolute joy to watch. Her performance was truly authentic and Andrew Lloyd Webber would be proud to have his music performed by someone who clearly held the role dear to her heart.
“Jesus Christ Superstar,” continues at Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179 Lambertsville, through September 23. For tickets and information, go to www.musicmountaintheatre.org; 609-397-3337.