It was a packed house on Wednesday evening, as some of the community’s most talented took to the Kelowna Actors Studio stage for a rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1970’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
Whatever your thoughts are on religion, the Kelowna Actors Studio’s production of the trials and tribulations of Jesus Christ were both theatrically shocking yet delightfully humorous at times.
The musical is loosely based on the Gospels’ accounts of Jesus, with a particular focus on Jesus’ betrayer, Judas.
Delving into the more psychological realm of Judas, the production depicts the internal struggle of a man torn between loyalty for his Lord, and his own convoluted persona as a disciple that just doesn’t belong.
The original Webber production of Jesus Christ Superstar is set in biblical times, but the Kelowna Actors Studio took a bit of their own spin on the 1970’s musical, adding in contemporary slang, a more modern way of thinking, and a relative backdrop for today’s millennial world.
Modernizing the production made the characters and the dialogue much more relatable for today’s audience, allowing show-goers to connect with Jesus and his disciples on a more personal and non-religious level.
Jesus, played by Mac Mackay, embodied a more down-to-earth version of the man in the sky. Portraying a beloved man, but a man nonetheless, Mackay illustrated Jesus’ personal struggles of life and love relatively well.
Paired with Celeste Catena’s wonderful embodiment of controversial biblical character Mary Magdalene, the production explores an almost forbidden love that makes for a much more engaging and relatable version of the life of Jesus.
Adding in a little comedic relief was Brandon Shalansky’s characterization of King Herod. Typically described as a nasty man in the biblical world of Jesus, Shalansky had the entire audience cracking up on Wednesday evening with his witty portrayal of Herod.
The production also incorporated modern-day images and ideologies, such as our society’s persistent need to capture everything on camera, and the archetypal imagery of the underdog versus the wealthy suit-wearing, Wall Street types.
The concept and the idea was brilliant; however, the portrayal of certain roles fell short by comparison to previous productions. Although still a lovely evening out, other productions on the Kelowna Actors Stage were much better, as it seemed as though some actors and actresses were biting off a bit more than they could chew.
The Kelowna Actors Studio’s version of Jesus Christ Superstar debuted on Wednesday, October 16th, and will continue its run until Sunday, November 1st.
For more information on tickets and show times, click here.
To check out some of the other prior productions from the Kelowna Actors Studio, click on the following links:
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