THE THEATER MIRROR, New England's LIVE Theater Guide
|
MARQUEE | USHER | SEATS | INTERMISSION | CURTAIN |
Paul keeps the action flowing from one scene to the next. He creates many picture postcard moments in the show especially the Last Supper tableau and Crucifixion. Paul captures the emotions of the audience leading them into tears at the appropriate moments. Music director Sue leads her topnotch orchestra and taught the cast the intricate melodies, harmonies and tongue twisting lyrics. Paul also does the fantastic lighting for the show. The terrific choreography is by Stephanie Bourborniere and Justine Dee and it includes soft shoe, Charleston and many others. The set is by Mark Anderson and all the costumes are by Sharon Charette. The cast is lead by Edward Benjamin III as Jesus. He has a splendid tenor voice which handles the rock side of the spectrum as well as a falsetto for the mellower moments. His "Gethsemane: will leave you in tears as he builds the song to a soaring crescendo, does a super job on "Hosanna" and he uses his falsetto in "Poor Jerusalem". Ed not only has topnotch vocal ability but is a powerful actor in this role. Some of his outstanding moments include the, Last Supper, whipping scene and the crucifixion.
Brian Lopes is dynamic in the role of Judas. He shows off his powerhouse tenor voice and range in "Heaven on Their Minds", "Damned for All Time", "Blood Money" and "Judas' Death" The latter is a troubling song which includes Judas' death scene. Brian also excels in the "Superstar" number where he sings and dances up a storm with the dancing girls. He and Ed are fantastic as adversaries. Lisa Ziniti is fabulous as Mary Magdalene. She has a superb soprano voice which she uses in "Everything's Alright", where she tries to sooth Jesus after a trying day, the powerful and poignant ballad "I Don't Know How to Love Him" where she confronts her hidden feelings for him and the rousing emotionally charged duet with Peter called "Could We Start Again, Please" which the chorus joins in on with some lovely harmonies in it. Lisa graduated from the Hartt School of Music. I performed with her in "The Fantasticks" back in 1998 and last saw her as Reno Sweeney in "Anything Goes" at Bishop Feehan in 2001. James Archambeault who has a topnotch tenor voice plays Peter. He and Lisa do a terrific job on this duet. James also handles "Peter's Denial" with flair. Simon Zealotes is played by Josh Smith who gets to show off his strong singing voice in the "Simon Zealotes" number with the chorus. He and the chorus do a marvelous dance to it. Pilate is wonderfully played by Gregory Bonin. He has a powerful voice and sings the mellow "Pilate's Dream" and the rock numbers, "Pilate and Christ" and "Trial by Pilate" which soars off the scale with high B flats. A comic turn in the show is provided by Jared Sell as Herod as he sings and dances to his "Herod's Song" with dancing girls. The villainous high priests in the show are played with wonderful voices and menacing presences by Frank Wilmoth as Caiaphas and Steve Perry as Annas and Mark Anderson as a high priest.The apostles and chorus deliver the finishing touches to this emotional show. I have happy memories of this show having played Herod back in 1988. So for a blockbuster hit, be sure to catch "Jesus Christ Superstar" in Woonsocket before time runs out. Tell them Tony sent you.