City Circle Theatre Company's “Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts -- March 20 through 29.
Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 29
Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, 1301 Fifth Street, Coralville IA
One of the most beloved and iconic rock operas of all time enjoys a spectacular new staging at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts when City Circle Theatre Company presents hosts its July 20 through 29 run of Jesus Christ Superstar, the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice classic boasting such unforgettable numbers as “Everything's Alright,” “Hosanna,” “King Herod's Song,” and the timeless ballad “I Don't Know How to Love Him.”
Borrowing from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus Christ Superstar tells of the last seven days of Christ’s life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. In depicting political and interpersonal struggles between Jesus and Judas Iscariot that are not present in the Bible, composer Webber's and lyricist Rice's depiction offers a free interpretation of the psychology of Jesus and other figures including Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, and King Herod. The musical started as a rock-opera concept album before its Broadway debut in 1971, earning five Tony Award nominations for its debut production and added nods for the show's 2000 and 2012 Broadway revivals. In 2018, NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert starring John Legend and Sara Bareilles debuted on Easter Sunday to enormous ratings and critical praise, and went on to win five Emmy Awards including Outstanding Variety Special.
Directing Jesus Christ Superstar for the City Circle Theatre Company is Elizabeth Tracy, a longtime veteran of the organization whose productions have included School of Rock: The Musical, Anastasia, and Spring Awakening, as well as last fall's Circle's Edge presentation of 12 Angry Jurors. Rishi Wagle serves as the show's music director, and additional members of Tracey's creative team include: choreographer Austin Gordley; stage manager Reese Morgan; assistant stage manager J. Tucker; set designer Kaelen Novak; lighting designer Hans Hinrichsen; and sound designer Carter Broszeit.
The role of Jesus Christ is being portrayed by Adam Burnham, with Ethan Glenn playing Judas and Molly Owen enacting Mary Magdelene. Other significant Jesus Christ Superstar roles are acted and sung by Ben Nelson (Simon), Andrew Bryant (Peter), Steven Jepson (Pontius Pilate), John Zimmerman (King Herrod), Royce Blackburn (Caiaphas), and Casey Scott (Annas).
Among Jesus' other apostles are the ensemble of Emmett Adamson, Avery Cassell, Christina Engelmann, Carter Houchins-Witt, Allie Klinsky, Sam Nester, Xion Owens-Holst, and Shelby Zukin. Claudia and her son are played by Carrie Pozdol and Henry Schau, with Ellis Fontana, Gary R. Hebl-Benser, and Adam Summers on hand as the High Priests. The show's adult ensemble is composed of: Kendall Baracovi, Ava Burmahl, Meg Cook, Kaleb Dufel, Carly Ephraim, Courtney Faust, Austin Fine, Grace Gorka, Michael Guhin, William Jones, Allen Kittrell, Alex Kohler, Matthias McFarlin, Robert Morris, Sierra Reese, Live Reid, Cami Rezabek, Abigail Saathoff, Andy Stewart, and Brian Tanner. And completing the gifted cast are the youth ensemble boasting: Eivan Arjes, Quincy Cargill, Elias Gerling, Anson Knipfer, Gretta Rippentrop, Daige Sabin, Lovella Varner, Alawiya Wardi, and Ania Willis.
City Circle Theatre Company's Jesus Christ Superstar runs at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts March 20 through 29, with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $19-33, and more information and tickets are available by calling (319)248-9370 and visiting CoralvilleArts.org.
