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November 2004

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"Jesus Christ Superstar" at Villanova
By Michael Nataro '06
  

   This weekend, the Villanova Student Musical Theater performed the last three shows of their production of the hit, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which opened Nov. 4. Written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Superstar” is a modernized interpretation of the Christ story as seen through the eyes of Jesus’ betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Originally set in the 1970s with bell-bottoms, halter tops and anatomy clogs, the purpose of this play is to portray the timeless story of the last week of Jesus’ life juxtaposed in the modern time. Director Joe Cutalo set this version in New York at the present day with the actors wearing denim and leather instead of polyester.

   “The purpose of this show was to conform to the modern age, so the audience can more easily relate to it,” said Cutalo. “When watching our interpretation of ‘Superstar,’ the audience could more readily empathize with a stock broker and a cab driver than a fisherman and a tax collector.”

   The directors and the cast alike said they were very excited about the lever of energy in this show from both the actors and the orchestra.

   “It's an extremely intense, high-energy show. There was not a single
person in the cast or orchestra who left that auditorium without
giving the audience everything they had,” said musical director Joe Gribbin. “The orchestra was amazing. I don't think people were ready to be rocked this hard.”

   Cutalo insisted that “Superstar” was not another “passion play.” “It’s not a musical interpretation of ‘The Passion of the Christ,’” said Cutalo. “This production was seen through the eyes of Judas; to show his dynamic humanity, his inner conflict and his doubt which eventually led to his betrayal of Christ.”

   VSMT president Bethany Deal was one of the Apostles in the production. She had expressed a great deal of excitement about the show.

   “My favorite thing about the show was how it really is a ‘group show,’ ” Deal said. “There were many group numbers and scenes, and it's not simply leads putting on a show with background dancers. Everyone was an important part of this show. That's a rare thing to find in musical theater.”

   Deal had expressed a great deal of hope and excitement for the last few weeks of rehearsal before opening night. She said, “It was wonderful, everyone had such a great time. We gave the audience everything we had and the show was a great success.”