By Chris Heide
After 19 long months, live theatre is back! Broadway at the Paramount began their 2021-2022 season with a bang, ushering in the thrilling Jesus Christ Superstar as their season premiere.
Aaron LaVigne and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar- MurphyMade
For those who don’t know, Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera that depicts the last few weeks of the life of Jesus. It asks the question- is Jesus a man, a superstar, or the actual son of God? An unlikely subject matter for a musical, but the energy and brilliant story telling make this a captivating tour-de-force. It actually shocking that the music for this show is by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Absent from this show is any dreary melancholy typically found in his other productions, such as The Phantom of the Opera.
Perhaps the long break from live theater allows the audience to experience live performance with a renewed energy. Even if this is the case, Jesus Christ Superstar manages to exceed all expectations. It is a brisk show, clocking in around 90 minutes, but definitely leaving the audience wanting more. The entire book is sung through, with no spoken dialogue, which is a tremendous vocal feat somewhat reminiscent of Rent.
James Justis and Aaron LaVigne in the North American Tour of JES…- MurphyMade
The entire case is supremely talented, with Aaron Lavigne and James T. Justis as the standout performers. Lavigne believably portrays Jesus as a man who has achieved superstar status, while also bringing a quiet and reverent humility to the role. And his vocals are extremely impressive. Hitting some of highest notes I have ever heard by a male vocalist, Lavigne is an absolute powerhouse. His counterpart, Justis, is no background performer either. His vocals as Judas might just surpass those of Lavigne. There were moments when his vocal stylings and intentional vocal choices summoned the energy of some of the greatest female vocals of our time. At one point, I could swear I was listening to Christina Aguilera when Justis implemented some of her signature growls and runs into his vocal stylings.
On top of goosebump inducing vocals, the choreography, the staging, the set, and all ensemble performers were mesmerizing. If Jesus Christ Superstar is any indication, then Broadway is certainly back full-force and here to stay.