For Melina Schein, a good musical is all about the power behind the songs.
Thatsa国际传媒檚 why when Schein (formerly Moore) of Big Apple Productions had the opportunity to bring Andrew Lloyd Webbersa国际传媒檚 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 Osa国际传媒橞rien, this yearsa国际传媒檚 show is sure to be of biblical proportions.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 all about the quality of the music for me,sa国际传媒� Schein said. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 what musicals are meant to be. Wesa国际传媒檙e going to make sure thatsa国际传媒檚 the focus of this.sa国际传媒�
Visuals, while important in a musical, have taken over as the centre of attention in many productions, Schein said. Webbersa国际传媒檚 Jesus Christ Superstar, on the other hand, is a classic true sing-through sa国际传媒� a theatrical production where the story is largely told through song rather than dialogue.
sa国际传媒淚 really like the music, honestly,sa国际传媒� said Craig Howard, who dons the garb of Pontius Pilate. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 very powerful. There are times you can hear a pin drop.sa国际传媒�
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.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a true rock opera. It requires a lot of talent,sa国际传媒� Schein said. sa国际传媒淚 think it is for sure Webbersa国际传媒檚 best work.sa国际传媒�
A partial reason for that, Schein said, is itsa国际传媒檚 a timeless tale.
Based loosely on Gospel accounts of Jesussa国际传媒� final week, Jesus Christ Superstar differs from many tellings in that itsa国际传媒檚 told through the perspective of Judas Iscariot, brought to life on stage by local star Judy Rose.
sa国际传媒淚 think it kicks (butt) that Judas is a woman, especially in this time,sa国际传媒� said Rose, who is also a co-producer for the show, adding that itsa国际传媒檚 empowering to have a woman lead. sa国际传媒淚 am thrilled to be singing Judassa国际传媒� role again this year and look forward to rocking all with this magnificent music.sa国际传媒�
Big Apple Productions brought Jesus Christ Superstar to Vernonsa国际传媒檚 Trinity United Church last year and sold out three performances.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 just had a big revival,sa国际传媒� Schein said, noting NBCsa国际传媒檚 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.
sa国际传媒淲e have a cast of incredible people, many returning from last year,sa国际传媒� Schein said. sa国际传媒淲e thought we would move it to bigger digs.sa国际传媒�
A now heavily bearded Paul Rossetti will again take on the role of Jesus in Big Apple Productionssa国际传媒� performance.
sa国际传媒淲hen I was watching an interview with Tim Rice (lyricist), they talked about their interest to show Christ as a human being sa国际传媒� what he would have gone through as a man,sa国际传媒� 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.
sa国际传媒淚 didnsa国际传媒檛 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,sa国际传媒� Rossetti said. sa国际传媒淓very rehearsal has been a real gift. I believe this performance is moving, and I think the audience feels that.sa国际传媒�
For Brian Martin, a local radio personality who appears in many of Scheinsa国际传媒檚 musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar is what originally caught his attention.
sa国际传媒淭his is the first musical I ever saw live. I hated musicals until I saw this,sa国际传媒� grinned Martin, who portrays Caiaphas.
Charlotte Backman as Mary Magdalene, who first uncovered the musical through last yearsa国际传媒檚 performance, said it has provided her with an opportunity to grow.
sa国际传媒淚 find itsa国际传媒檚 out of my comfort zone to do and very challenging,sa国际传媒� Backman said. sa国际传媒淭he whole show is very emotional.sa国际传媒�
Jesus Christ Superstar, Big Apple Productionssa国际传媒� 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, .
