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Jesus Christ Superstar

by Julie Houghton 30th July, 2017
by Julie Houghton 30th July, 2017

It’s startling to realize that Jesus Christ Superstar was born from the fertile brain of a 21-year-old composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, along with his lyricist Tim Rice. And it has become a classic in the music theatre genre since it burst onto the stage in 1972.

More than 40 years later, director Gale Edwards has re-imagined the rock opera for The Production Company. So many shows date after being an initial huge success, so how does JCSS fare?

It seems that time certainly hasn’t withered the impact and power of this show. Obviously, the story has been around for a couple of thousand years, so that probably helps the timeless aspect. But Edwards has put this production firmly in the 21st century, and it seems as relevant as it ever was.

For those like me, who grew up with the original, the magic and power of the story, songs and characters are still there, and hopefully a whole new generation of kids will fall in love with this charismatic story and music.

Most of the principals wouldn’t have been born at the time of the original production, and have been able to approach it with fresh eyes. The danger for those of us who loved the original and the subsequent productions, is that we will bring jaundiced eyes to it and indulge in the odious sport of comparison.

While in the early stages you do remember earlier performers like Trevor White, Jon English, Kate Ceberano, John Farnham, Reg Livermore et al it doesn’t take long to forget those iconic performers and let the marvellous performances of the 2017 cast take over and woo you into believing what they are living on stage.

There were some opening night nerves that made several characters rather tentative to being with, but once the cast hit their straps, there was no stopping them. While there have been doubters about the wisdom of casting Rob Mills as Jesus, anyone who heard his heart stopping rendition of Gethsemane last night would have to eat humble pie – he was magnificent and had me reaching for the tissues.

Zoy Frangos as Judas brought his powerful vocals and stage charisma to give us a fine characterization as the tortured Judas. My only quibble is that sometimes his volume was so amplified that we missed some lyrics – as the show is a rock opera without surtitles or spoken dialogue, lyrics take on an added importance.

Alinta Chidzey was a touching Mary with a fine vocal range that took us from soft and sensitive ballads to a harder-edge rock sound when she needed it. Another totally believable performance. Cabaret queen Trevor Ashley definitely brought his inner Trump to his show stopping number as King Herod, complete with sparkly gold suit. Former West End star Michael Cormick showed us the complexities faced by Pilate and he proved he still has his stage magnetism and a killer voice.

The ensemble sang, acted and danced their hearts out – they must all have been exhausted by the end of the show.

Kelley Abbey’s choreography worked a treat, and Kim Bishop’s costumes were stunning. Anthony Gabrielle conducted a tight ensemble that justifiably got a rave response from the audience at the curtain.

Jesus Christ Superstar is a must-see production, whether you are remembering it from your youth or coming to it as a freshman. Congratulations to Rob Mills for an a stunning performance as Jesus – the tears we shed for his demise, and the appropriate horror of the crucifixion scene will remain in the audience’s collective memory for a long time. Powerful stuff!

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Events Calendar

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  • August 2022

Calendar of Events

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2 events, 1

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

Program Franz Schubert Schwanengesang D 957 Songmakers Australia Schubert’s last song cycle was published after his untimely death at the age of…

Free
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

A performance of cherished works and Gallic beauty. About the artists Seraphim Trio is as much a lifelong friendship as a…

$40 – $50

0 events, 2

1 event, 3

11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

Riveting passion balanced with delicate lyricism. About the artists Scottish born James Crabb is widely regarded as one of the world’s…

$42 – $49

0 events, 4

0 events, 5

1 event, 6

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen makes his long-awaited return to Australia with some of the most demanding, impressive, and emotionally riveting works…

$65.55 – $159

2 events, 7

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

Join Flinders Quartet for the sumptuous romanticism and grandeur of Brahms, and the ingenuity and wit of Haydn. Thibaud Pavlovic-Hobba -…

$29 – $38
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

Corpus Medicorum Rebirth 2022 Concert Series. Artists Charlotte Miles cellist Keith Crellin OAM conductor Program Edward Elgar Cello Concerto, Op.85 Antonín Dvořák Symphony No.7…

$10 – $60

1 event, 8

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

A journey to the corners of human experience with Schubert’s Schwanengesang. About the artists Stewart Kelly is one of Australia’s most sought-after…

$40 – $50

0 events, 9

0 events, 10

1 event, 11

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

Innovative arrangements, technical flair and superb playing. About the artists Melbourne Guitar Quartet have carved out a reputation for curating utterly…

$40 – $50

1 event, 12

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 12 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

Wicked magicians, unrequited love, and human sacrifice for a bountiful spring – these ballets have it all! The MSO travels through…

$64 – $119

1 event, 13

7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

Wicked magicians, unrequited love, and human sacrifice for a bountiful spring – these ballets have it all! The MSO travels through…

$64 – $119

4 events, 14

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

"Erwartung" Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas In this recital ERWARTUNG (expectation) Markus Matheis and Dean Sky-Lucas present a concert which chronicles…

$20 – $25
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s third concert of the year takes us through works by Benjamin Britten, Don Bank, and…

Free
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s most prestigious singing events, the RMP Aria is Australia’s pre-eminent competition for oratorio soloists.…

$25 – $56

0 events, 15

0 events, 16

0 events, 17

2 events, 18

6:30 pm - 7:20 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Harold in Italy

August 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:20 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Harold in Italy

The prose of Lord Byron provides the artistic inspiration behind this large-scale symphonic poem by Berlioz. MSO Principal Viola Christopher Moore…

$55 – $95
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Guitarra – Paco Peña and The Grigoryan Brothers

August 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Guitarra – Paco Peña and The Grigoryan Brothers

A perfect merger of two musical worlds in one performance. About the concert Paco Peña, described by Guitar Player magazine as the ‘world’s…

$79 – $110

1 event, 19

7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

August 19 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

The prose of Lord Byron provides the artistic inspiration behind two large-scale symphonic poems by Berlioz and Tchaikovsky. MSO Principal Viola…

$69 – $119

2 events, 20

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

August 20 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

Sheku Kanneh-Mason shot to global fame after his mesmerising performance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018.…

$59 – $119
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

"Real and Right and True" - a celebration of the art song tradition of Australia and the United Kingdom. Lotte Betts-Dean,…

$10 – $35

2 events, 21

11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

August 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

Be swept up the whirlwind of love in Romantic Adventure. Coruscating works make up this scintillatingly curated program, with each piece…

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

August 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

Melbourne Youth Orchestra welcomes popular, Vienna based Australian conductor Warwick Stengaards to the podium for The Dancing Orchestra. Vivacious music by Khachaturian,…

$15 – $30

0 events, 22

0 events, 23

0 events, 24

0 events, 25

0 events, 26

0 events, 27

0 events, 28

0 events, 29

0 events, 30

0 events, 31

0 events, 1

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0 events, 3

1 event, 4

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

The Friends of the Auburn Tower Inc presents Wanderlust, featuring Elyane Laussade, piano, and Luke Severn, bass baritone, in a musical…

$20 – $35
August 1
August 1 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Songmakers Australia: Schwanengesang

August 1 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seraphim Trio – Gallic Charm

  • There are no events on this day.
August 3
August 3 @ 11:30 am - 12:40 pm

Mostly Mozart – Musical Mavericks

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 6
August 6 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Ray Chen

August 7
August 7 @ 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Flinders Quartet Concert 2

August 7 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Corpus Medicorum Concert #3

August 8
August 8 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Stewart Kelly – Schubert’s Swansong

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 11
August 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Melbourne Guitar Quartet – Flow My Tears

August 12
August 12 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 13
August 13 @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm Recurring

Stravinsky’s Ballets

August 14
August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

The Lieder Society of Victoria: Erwartung – Markus Matheis & Dean Sky-Lucas

August 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

August 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

August 14 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Recurring

Rutter’s Requiem and the 16th RMP Aria Final

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
August 18
August 18 @ 6:30 pm - 7:20 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Harold in Italy

August 18 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Guitarra – Paco Peña and The Grigoryan Brothers

August 19
August 19 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

August 20
August 20 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 21
August 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

August 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

August 19
August 19 @ 7:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Poetry in Music – Berlioz and Tchaikovsky

August 20
August 20 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sheku Kanneh-Mason & the Kanneh-Mason Family

August 20 @ 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Real and Right and True – Lotte Betts-Dean and Calvin Bowman

August 21
August 21 @ 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Percy Grainger Youth Orchestra – Romantic Adventure

August 21 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

MYO – The Dancing Orchestra

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
September 4
September 4 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wanderlust

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