Theater Review: 'Jesus Christ Superstar' by Get Up Stage Company

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member Nancy Sasso Janis

The students that are part of Get Up Stage Company worked hard this summer to present an impressive production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” It was my pleasure to attend the opening night of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera that ran one weekend only at the beautiful Rockwell Theatre in Bristol. This is the 17th year for GUSCO, which this year includes many performers from Bristol

Director Lindsey DiPietro wrote in the virtual program and reiterated in her curtain speech the “Superstar” does not claim (and has never claimed) to be biblically accurate. However, this does not impact the artistic brilliance and storytelling. It is an interpretation of the four books of the Gospel.”

A director of “JCS” always takes a risk, just as the libretto takes artistic license. “Each production of “Superstar” is truly individual as there is no ‘script’--only a libretto (book of songs) and orchestrations. There are no descriptions of time, place, characters, intentions, actions, movements or playwright’s notes. You will never see the ‘same’ production of ‘Superstar. We hope you like ours the most.”

I liked virtually all of the choices made by the director and production team. The high priests often effectively watched the action from above and the ensemble made great use of the two aisles in the auditorium. Long capes with a hood worked well for the more sinister characters. No goods were for sale in “The Temple,” but there were wonderful staffs yielded by the powerful characters and wooden bowls and pottery used at “The Last Supper.”

A silver vest represented the 30 pieces of silver in “Damned for All Time” and returned for the glorious white-tone “Superstar.” It was an emotional “Judas’ Death” A white fabric cross was lowered to the stage for “The Crucifixion" and a light shone from the tomb to suggest the Resurrection. It was all so very effective.

Christian Roach, who attends the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, took on the title role of Jesus and gave a heartfelt performance in his GUSCO debut. Roach received a Stephen Sondheim Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of the title role in “Shrek The Musical.

Samantha Colite, a student at CT State Naugatuck Valley, had the strong singing voice to tackle the Judas Iscariot role. Colite reprised what she calls “this profoundly meaningful role.”

Emma Ayende, an incoming UConn student, was a hauntingly beautiful Mary Magdalene.

The talented Jayden Greenlaw, a rising sophomore at Western New England University, was a commanding Pontius Pilate in a great black and white artfully arranged shawl. Wheaton College freshman Jacson Deveau did his best to sing the low notes as Caiaphas in his GUSCO debut, while T. Craft was a diabolical Annas in a great black costume that T. created. T. is the artistic director of Offsite Connecticut Theatre.

Damon Gagne stepped up from the dance ensemble to perform the role of the golden and tap-dancing King Herod. Gagne, who played Nathan Detroit in “Guys and Dolls,” will head into his freshman year at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. Christian Dechent, a rising junior at WAMS in his GUSCO debut, sang well in the role of Simon Zealotes and Sean Miscikoski, a CCSU Master’s student, got to sing “Could We Start Again, Please?” as the apostle Peter. The imposing high priests were played by CT State Naugatuck Valley freshman Avery Pellerin, Bristol Central rising sophomore Oliva Morel and Bristol Central sophomore Annalee Andrew.

The tap dancers in “King Herod’s Song” included SHU freshman Lilah Moorhouse, Maloney High School rising junior Julia Graham, Bristol Central rising sophomore Aibhlin Delage and Lia Santana, a Wolcott High School senior. Rising University of Hartford sophomore Zachary Cudjoe, Lee Christian, and Bryana Soto were credited as soloists, while CCSU graduate Brynn Kelley played an angel with a beautiful voice. The fabulous dance ensemble was made up of UConn incoming freshman Ameilia Brown, rising UConn sophomore Anna Clevenger, rising Bristol Central sophomore Harper Patton and Bristol Central rising sophomore Charlette Plante.

The amazing band was conducted by Nick Stanford while playing keys 1, with Amy Kelley on keys 2, Mike Wyatt on drums, and Maurice Thomas on bass. Clio Janis played the first notes of the overture on guitar 1 standing on a chair, John Hoddinott played guitar 2, Kyle Camerato covered the reeds, Jess Camerato played horn, Aidan Brooky was on trumpet, Nate Moriarty was on percussion and Anthony Giordano played tenor sax. There were some minor musical tweaks, both vocally and with the orchestrations, but nothing that bothered me.

Kudos to assistant director/production stage manager Shelly Barger for helping DiPietro bring her vision to life. Music Director Amy Kelley ensured that the harmonies were spot on and awe-inspiring. Choreography by Carson Gagne and Julia Leba was so well designed and very well executed by the dancers.

DiPietro was in charge of costume design that was well-coordinated and character enhancing, The scenic design by Tim Nivison, the director, Kevin Harwood, Matt Delange and Jesse Gamble was enhanced by projections of relevant biblical verses that helped to tell the story. Samera Alyofsi was the scenic painter/designer. The sound design and execution by D and T Stage functioned very well and Nivison was responsible for the stellar lighting design and execution.

It is always a treat to watch the GUSCO high school and college students perform and this year was no exception. I always have high expectations for the rock musical that I love and for which I have memorized every note and lyric since I was a teen. This production rose to every challenge and it made for an outstanding performance.

All photos by T. Craft