JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ...in Hollywood

Here’s another outstanding production by DOMA of the musical that in 1970 launched the careers of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. Its a modern Passion Play, as told by his betrayer, Judas Iscariot, dramatizing the last days of Jesus Christ. 

For anyone who has not seen the show before, here is a first class presentation. The story is a familiar one with the torturing and crucifixion boldly delineated but, by making parallels to modern day atrocities such as Abu Ghraib, it speaks to our own time as well.

This version has an outstanding cast and multi-talented ensemble: Nate Parker’s Jesus Christ is a modern rock star; Jeremy Saje’s Judas is a burly stevedore; Renee Cohen is a sylphlike Mary Magdalene, and Kelly Brighton is a cunning Pontius Pilate.

Andrew Diego is blood-curdling as Caiaphas; Venny Carranza is funny as a song-and-dance-king Herod; Michelle Holmes doubles as cruel Annas and heartbroken Mary his Mother; Blair Grotbeck is a stoic Peter, and Graham Kurtz is an earnest Simon the Zealot .

Kudos to the ensemble: Alex Allen, Jackee Bianchi, Charlie Bostick, Tym Brown, Sandra Diana Cantu, Kevin Corsini, Kaitlyn Fajilan, Kendra M. Hill, Allison Jakubowski, Wesley Moran, Ashlie Paige, Dekontee Tucrkile, Lauren Tyni and Anthony D. Willis.

Imaginatively staged by director Marco Gomez with dynamic choreography by Angela Todaro and rousing musical direction by Chris Raymond. Lavish costumes by Lauren Oppelt. Produced by Dolf Ramos and Gomez.  
At The MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave, Hollywood. Through March 22. Parking at 5250 Santa Monica Blvd for $6.

Photos by Michael Lamont.

Also reviewed in the March issue of NOT BORN YESTERDAY.