Word: jesus
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Jesus Christ Superstar
When Jim Augustine '01, as Herod, takes to the stage for "Herod's Song" during the second act of Jesus Christ Superstar, audience members look and listen. Emerging from the mostly overwhelming and often confusing action of the first act, "Herod's Song" is the most engaging musical number to demonstrate that there may be hope for this production. Unlike most of the preceding two hours, there is evidence of characterization, dynamic choreography and a sudden, long-awaited connection between performers and observers...
Despite the familiarity of the story of Jesus Christ, countless audience members were overheard during intermission asking their companions concrete questions about the action of the play ("Who's that guy who keeps coming out and yelling?" "I think that's Judas..."). Whether or not the audience's competence at following the plot should be a consideration for the director, the fact is that many in attendance were reduced to a state of bewilderment...
...truly overwhelming number of actors. Although a large cast, directed so as to focus rather than diffuse the audience on the central action, can work to a show's, this production's overabundance of actors only bolsters the audience's already confused state. Is the crowd happy with Jesus? Angry at him? Leprous? Is their back-slapping friendly, or is it violent? Although the level of dissonance in the musical accompaniment provides some clues, we are generally left to our own devices in answering these seemingly basic questions. In response to any lighting change on stage, a cacophony of rustling...
...faith and wisdom. While the teleplay admittedly takes dramatic license, it is true to the Gospels. The dialogue is refreshingly unstilted, and the spare, understated performances of newcomer Melinda Kinnaman as the young Mary, Pernilla August (The Phantom Menace) as the mature Mary, and Christian Bale (Velvet Goldmine) as Jesus are credible and moving. One cranky question: Why do American filmmakers always insist that biblical figures spoke with British accents...