Evening all! I’ll go back and read all the posts I missed and comment but as I typed this up off line, I haven’t had a chance to see them yet.
The rain finely ended in time for me to leave to go to the theater. I was still nervous having drive on the wet roads but it could have been a LOT worse. Still I had to get into the left hand lane so I would be able to be in the correct lane when I4 and I75 (known fondly as Malfunction Junction to locals) merge into I275,
I was going at pretty good clip (65 mph) and people were passing me like I was standing still. My heart was beating so loud in my ears by the time I go to the parking garage that I was very glad that I was so early for the show. I needed the time to calm down from my version of Mr. Toads Wild Ride.
So many memories as I made my way to the ticket booth. The spot where the lady asked me for my autograph and the bush where I found a baby bird to name but a few.
After getting my ticket, I still had over a half hour until the lobby doors opened so I found a bench next to an older couple. Had a very nice chat with them and it was nice to see that they obviously still very much in love.
When the lobby doors opened at one and said “Goodbye” to the couple to find my seat. Of course it turned out that my seat was on the other side of the theater but I didn’t mind. Again being early, I had another half hour wait for them to open the doors to the balcony so I found myself a seat to wait. One of the ushers came by and asked if I would fill out a survey so I said “Sure”.
After I filled it out and returned it to him, we sat and had a very pleasant conversation along with another lady who was also early. We talked about Tommy Tune, DOTV, NYC, the high price of the tickets and Broadway web sites.
I was very happy with my seat. I was able to see the entire stage and the orchestra pit. I spotted the lady I had the conversation while waiting for the door to open and we waved to each other.
Finely the lights went down and the play started. I looked into the orchestra pit and was very surprised to only see seven people there! 3 guitar players, 3 keyboard players and the drummer. I’m guessing the keyboards made all the sounds I found that somewhat disappointing.
Having seen the show before, I thought I knew exactly what to expect but this must have been a new staging of it with different costumes then I remember. I loved the long swishy coats some of the men wore.
Some the words to the songs were somewhat different as well.
The set was a simple set of stairs with a catwalk between two columns that they used to great advantage. Like for the Temple scene, they dropped tote boards like the stock market and when Herod had his song, they dropped his name, all in lights and the stairs lit up as well. When Jesus was in prison, they dropped prison bars over the cat walk and the scene where Judas commits suicide was handled well.
Jesus was played by Eric Kunze who did an outstanding job. I watched his version of Gethsemane very closely and was not disappointed . He had the punch on the right words which is what I have said before about other versions of the song. I’m beginning to wonder if singing the song in a concert is considered different than singing it in a play. It seems the emotions are different but that just might be me.
I would tell you about the great body and handsome face Jesus had but that might be considered the wrong thing to do. I might wind up in Hades if I did tell you that because one should not lust after Jesus. So consider yourself not told. Is it warm in here or is it just me? Anyway, my only problem with him was his hair which was very long and silky looking and he kept running his hands through it. After a time it drove me nuts. At least he wasn’t a quick draw Jesus with a mike in a holster under his arm.
I also greatly enjoyed “Could We Start Again Please” which was choreographed to show the beatings he took in prison in slow motion. Very, very well done but I have such a hard time watching that kind of thing. Even if it is a play, I had to keep a firm hand myself because I wanted them to stop hurting him. I know, he wasn’t really hurt but I get involved in the story.
Mary Magadalene was played by Natalie Toro who had a wonderful sweet voice. Very, very nice and would like to see her again someday.
Other stand outs were Pontius Pilate/Stephen Breithaupt, Judas/Lawrence Clayton and I have to say, Catiaphas/Lawson Skala who had a voice so deep it sounded like it was coming from his toes. I swear he looked like Ming the Merciless from “Flash Gorden”. The kicker was (and I’m very sorry I don’t know the character name so I can’t name the actor) the one priest was the total opposite of him. He was a short, bald, black man with a very high voice. They were GREAT together. Tall/deep, short/high.
Anyway, I enjoyed myself and I strongly recommend seeing this version of “Jesus Christ: Superstar” if you are lucky enough to have it come to your town.
Luckily, the drive home less stressful. I know how to get in the lane I needed to go home without having to fight to get on the Interstate and I don’t have to change lanes the whole way. Whew! I hate driving very fast. 55 is fast enough for me.
Congrats to Jay![move=up,scroll,6,transparent,100%]
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DR Charles & Belated Good wishes to Noel! 
