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