On Aug. 15, youth theater company SoL Theatre premiered “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Thunder River Theatre (TRTC) — the second show in their summer stock season. The theater was practically full and the cast was met with a standing ovation at the end of the final number. Despite a COVID scare which resulted in the cancellation of the other planned performances over opening weekend, the show will go on with performances currently scheduled from Aug. 21 to 24.
First hitting the stage on Oct. 12, 1971, this rock opera is a retelling of the story of Jesus of Nazareth and his apostles. It explores themes of fame and humility as well as philosophical wonderings of what it means to be human, separating the man Jesus was from his destiny.
The young SoL cast brings enthusiasm and charm with this fresh performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original script.
SoL director Jennifer Austin Hughes made creative decisions with inclusiveness in mind. Some roles in the show which male or male-presenting actors would typically play were portrayed by women or gender-nonconforming actors. Blake Novy, a SoL Theatre regular and gender-nonconforming actor, stepped into the leading role of Jesus Christ and delivered a powerhouse of a performance. They portrayed the role in a way that stripped away Jesus’ mysticism, amplifying themes of love and humanity.
Allison Fifield plays Judas, Jesus’ right-hand man who eventually betrays him, and brings depth to the character colloquially known as traitor. Through her stage presence and powerful voice, she just about brought the house down with the opening number, “Heaven on their Minds.”
Karli Ulto plays Mary Magdalene, a prostitute and follower of Jesus who finds herself falling in love with him. Brittany Crooke plays the apostle Peter. Clare Williams and Jillian Cole both play Simon. Charlie Cox plays Pontius Pilate and Nathan Cox plays King Herod.
The other apostles are portrayed by Malia Machado, Kassidy Birdsong, Isabella Poschman and Sara Kokish. The priests are portrayed by Zack Hanrahan, Ricky Perez, Oren Barnes, Ozley Choquette, Bow Williams and Willow Poschman. Adult actors Gerald DeLisser (Caiaphas) and Hattie Rensberry (Annas) portray the two priests who conspired to kill Jesus.
SoL’s performance of “Jesus Christ Superstar” is filled with fun choreography. The chemistry among the cast is palpable and fourth-wall breaks connect the audience to the story. Audiences are in for moments of humor and ponderings of existentialism in ways they may not anticipate. After the opening, some audience members expressed getting chills at times and being moved to tears at others.
If there is one word to describe this production, it might be “fun,” or, if granted two, “exceptionally fun!” The show’s rating teeters on PG-13 for elements of violence, suicide and religious interpretation.
In a nutshell:
What: ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Where: Thunder River Theatre
When: Aug. 21, 22, 23 and 24 at 7:30pm
Tickets: www.soltheatrecompany.org