Do you see that face above? That blank stare is as close as any company member gets to acting in the latest revival of
Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway. Or as my friend's Russian husband said "Jesus Super Christ". The show started life as a
concept album and I think I would have enjoyed this production more if I only had to listen to it. These performers can SING... especially
Josh Young (Judas) who brings incredible intensity and power to all of his songs. If you are only listening to a recording the vocals would totally be enough. Unfortunately, when you are sitting in the theater watching a show you need a little more than good voices to hold your attention. Director Des McAnuff seems to have decided to solve this problem by loading the stage with giant rolling staircases, flaming torches, tons of lighting instruments, and an energetic chorus of dancers and singers. All of this swirling action distracts (or is meant to distract) from the fact that there is very little acting going on. Perhaps figuring out the blocking for those giant staircases kept him from noticing that Jesus was all alone hiding under a staircase when he scream-sings "Don't CROWD me" during the attack of the lepers? My friend literally burst out laughing during this sequence. Did I mention his face looked basically the same as in the above picture during that sequence? No offense to Paul Young (and his great rock and roll voice) but his Jesus was sorely lacking in charisma. Much like Godspell earlier this season (starring Hunter Parrish) this is a Jesus that you wouldn't follow to the bodega... let alone build a religion around.
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