For Melina Schein, a good musical is all about the power behind the songs.
That乌鸦传媒檚 why when Schein (formerly Moore) of Big Apple Productions had the opportunity to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber乌鸦传媒檚 Jesus Christ Superstar back to the Vernon stage May 17-18, she knew she had to jump on it.
And with a chorus of 75 singers under the direction of Lana O乌鸦传媒橞rien, this year乌鸦传媒檚 show is sure to be of biblical proportions.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 all about the quality of the music for me,乌鸦传媒� Schein said. 乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 what musicals are meant to be. We乌鸦传媒檙e going to make sure that乌鸦传媒檚 the focus of this.乌鸦传媒�
Visuals, while important in a musical, have taken over as the centre of attention in many productions, Schein said. Webber乌鸦传媒檚 Jesus Christ Superstar, on the other hand, is a classic true sing-through 乌鸦传媒� a theatrical production where the story is largely told through song rather than dialogue.
乌鸦传媒淚 really like the music, honestly,乌鸦传媒� said Craig Howard, who dons the garb of Pontius Pilate. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 very powerful. There are times you can hear a pin drop.乌鸦传媒�
Backed by a stunning 10-piece band comprised of Okanagan legends, Schein said, the chorus and principal characters have been hard at work for three months to put what Schein calls her rock symphony of more than 20 songs together.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a true rock opera. It requires a lot of talent,乌鸦传媒� Schein said. 乌鸦传媒淚 think it is for sure Webber乌鸦传媒檚 best work.乌鸦传媒�
A partial reason for that, Schein said, is it乌鸦传媒檚 a timeless tale.
Based loosely on Gospel accounts of Jesus乌鸦传媒� final week, Jesus Christ Superstar differs from many tellings in that it乌鸦传媒檚 told through the perspective of Judas Iscariot, brought to life on stage by local star Judy Rose.
乌鸦传媒淚 think it kicks (butt) that Judas is a woman, especially in this time,乌鸦传媒� said Rose, who is also a co-producer for the show, adding that it乌鸦传媒檚 empowering to have a woman lead. 乌鸦传媒淚 am thrilled to be singing Judas乌鸦传媒� role again this year and look forward to rocking all with this magnificent music.乌鸦传媒�
Big Apple Productions brought Jesus Christ Superstar to Vernon乌鸦传媒檚 Trinity United Church last year and sold out three performances.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 just had a big revival,乌鸦传媒� Schein said, noting NBC乌鸦传媒檚 recent Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert that featured Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winner John Legend.
And, through tremendous community support, Schein was inspired to bring it back and take it to the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
乌鸦传媒淲e have a cast of incredible people, many returning from last year,乌鸦传媒� Schein said. 乌鸦传媒淲e thought we would move it to bigger digs.乌鸦传媒�
A now heavily bearded Paul Rossetti will again take on the role of Jesus in Big Apple Productions乌鸦传媒� performance.
乌鸦传媒淲hen I was watching an interview with Tim Rice (lyricist), they talked about their interest to show Christ as a human being 乌鸦传媒� what he would have gone through as a man,乌鸦传媒� Rossetti said.
It was a life-changing experience for him when he performed the titular role last year, and one Rossetti knew he had to repeat.
乌鸦传媒淚 didn乌鸦传媒檛 really know how important it would be to me until I was doing it. The week of performances, it took on a really profound meaning. It affected me deeply on a spiritual level,乌鸦传媒� Rossetti said. 乌鸦传媒淓very rehearsal has been a real gift. I believe this performance is moving, and I think the audience feels that.乌鸦传媒�
For Brian Martin, a local radio personality who appears in many of Schein乌鸦传媒檚 musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar is what originally caught his attention.
乌鸦传媒淭his is the first musical I ever saw live. I hated musicals until I saw this,乌鸦传媒� grinned Martin, who portrays Caiaphas.
Charlotte Backman as Mary Magdalene, who first uncovered the musical through last year乌鸦传媒檚 performance, said it has provided her with an opportunity to grow.
乌鸦传媒淚 find it乌鸦传媒檚 out of my comfort zone to do and very challenging,乌鸦传媒� Backman said. 乌鸦传媒淭he whole show is very emotional.乌鸦传媒�
Jesus Christ Superstar, Big Apple Productions乌鸦传媒� 15th full-scale musical, will overpower the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage May 17-18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $46.50 adults, $43 students and seniors and are available through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .
