I’m (more or less) a lifetime resident of Carlisle. I am quite aware that our region has a huge pool of talented people in all the arts.
Having said that, I must single out the Carlisle Theatre Company and their current production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar as a new high-water mark.
This version of the show, for those who may have seen the original movie or older stage versions, is updated and modernized, incorporating such touches as Twitter, cell-phone video and other social media references. Costumes are what one might see on any street in any city today. A giant projection screen upstage (behind the performers) played graphics, videos and live close-ups of the actors.
The performers, from the leads to the members of the ensemble, were totally on it. Singing was way above what one expects for a community show. Choreography was performed with enthusiasm and precision, and would be familiar to anyone who has watched music videos recently. The pit band, conducted by Nick Werner, played some fairly complicated music (lots of 5/4, anybody?) confidently and well.
In particular, I’m going to single out Jeremy Patterson, who as Judas Iscariot set the bar intimidatingly high for any actors hoping to tread those boards in the future. His voice, his physicality, his expressions (something the audience saw in close-up via the live cameras and screen), and his talent as a dancer were quite frankly beyond any of the community actors I’ve seen in quite a few years.
Michael Miller, as Jesus, and Emily Falvey, as Mary Magdalene, are also brilliant.
Miller’s Jesus is very approachable and compelling, and Miller maximizes the new staging and blocking to bring a passionate portrayal of a man in conflict with his humanity and his role.
Mary Magdalene is one of the more subdued lead roles in the show – one that does not typically give the actor leeway in interpretation. However, Falvey’s stunning voice earns her a special mention.
In no way is this to be interpreted as minimizing the talent of the rest of those involved in this production. Lights, sound, staging, and the cast in its totality all excelled.
Whether you’re familiar with this musical or not, this is a must-see, do not miss show. The good news is: there will be 3 performances next weekend.
$12 students/$15 seniors/$20 general admission
Fri Oct 17, 2014
7:30PM
Sat Oct 18, 2014
7:30PM
Sun Oct 19, 2014
2:00PM
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