Sonic Overkill Keeps 'Superstar' From Deliverance
Sonic overkill keeps 'Superstar' from deliverance
By ROGER LeLIEVRE
NEWS ARTS WRITER
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REVIEW
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It’s tempting to say Ann Arbor Civic Theatre nearly crucified its production of “Jesus Christ Super-star,” which opened Thursday night at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. But that wouldn’t quite be the gospel truth.
In fact the show, which continues through Sunday afternoon, had “some fine moments, more of which would probably have been noticeable if many of the vocals had not been distorted to the point of obliteration by often-overwhelming volume levels and frequently non-functioning microphones.
Directed by Ron Baumanis, president of AACT’s board of directors, this “Superstar” pays obvious tribute to the show’s ’60s rock-opera roots. Cast members wear rainbow-hued t-shirts, jeans and leather garb that strongly suggest the Age of Aquarius. The Ann Arbor rock-jazz-fusion band Poignant Plecostomus provids the perfect musical accompaniment from risers set at the back of the stage.
Kevin Binkley as a clean-cut Jesus is terrific. His sad-sweet voice is as often soothing as it is tortured; his passionate solo in the Garden of Gethsemane, delivered as his besotted disciples lay passed out at his feet, is. easily the show’s most powerful moment. As Judas, goa-teed T. Adam Goos offers the right mix of cynicism and betrayal (and as the bad guy, he meets the most shocking end any “JCS” production has ever offered).
I’m willing to bet Jordan Rohler, this production's Mary Magdalene, sings with a rich voice that was, unfortunately, distorted during the most emotional parts of her performance. She wasn’t alone, however - the problem plagued many cast members during similar vocal crescendos.
King Herod, played in drag by Erik Ivar Olsen, drew titters of delight from the audience, however his by-the-numbers performance begs the point: if you’re going to do Herod in a dress, why not have some fun with it? “King Herod’s Song” can be a showstopper, but not in this case.
By the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, sensory overload had all but numbed the horror of what should have been the show’s most powerful scene.
I know rock musicals are supposed to be loud - in fact the similar decibel levels of the much-praised “Rent" haven’t even come close to stopping that show’s success. But what’s the point if paying customers leave at intermission, and that much of the show’s message is lost in the garble?
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Ann Arbor Civic Theatre presents "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, 911 N. University Ave., tonight at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 (students & seniors, $16). For tickets or information, call 971-2228.