‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ will include added perspective in Stage Right production
Vince Tresco as Jesus.
Kelly Tunney kgtunney.com
Tony Marino as Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
The cast of "Jesus Christ Superstar."
This Easter season, Stage Right’s professional theater company will end its 20th anniversary season with “Jesus Christ Superstar,” a show that is very familiar to them.
Tony Marino, director of the show and the actor who takes on the role of Judas, said this time of year played a big reason in selecting a show like this.
“People of faith, families and fans of the show look for opportunities like this during this season,” he said. “I’ve done this show for 20 years around this time, and it feels extra special.”
The first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.
This year, Marino said they will play with the production and story line a little bit, including how Mary Magdalene viewed the historic events.
“Every time I have done this show, I try to tell the story in a different way, from a different viewpoint, which is challenging as it’s pretty much written from Judas’s view, but within that there is this opportunity, with really good actors, to see it also through another set of eyes,” Marino said. “This time, I’m going to use Mary’s experience, what she sees and how she changes, as a window for all of us to do the same thing.
“Renata (Marino) is tremendous at bringing an audience on her journey, so I’m excited to see how it plays,” he added. “It also lets Vince (Tresco) and I play certain moments differently as Mary is now a part of them.”
Tony Marino said Mary is an under appreciated character in all forms of this story.
The cast includes Vince Tresco as Jesus, Marino as Judas (he has played the role 23 different times), Nick Lenz as Herod, David Cabot as Pilate, Renata Marino as Mary Magdalene and John Noble as Caiphas.
The cast also features Josh List as Peter, Anthony Marino as Simon Zealotes and Carolyn Cole, Savannah Bruno and Madelynne Caralli as the Soul Girls. The 85 member cast also features local actors; Ben Wren, Kevin Beam, Greg Kerestan, Kevin Bass and Kim McLeod.
Renata Marino said she has played the role of Mary Magdalene before, although it has been quite a while.
“I remember not enjoying it because it felt like all you did was sing a song, act sad and cry at the cross,” she said. “But now that I’m a more experienced actor and with what (the director) is asking for, I see her and am playing her much differently.
“Plus we are treating women differently in this version — they are aren’t shy, retiring ‘arm clingers’ as I call them,” Renata Marino said. “They are a part of this movement and part of the ministry and she is one of them. She loves her friend Jesus, she is angry at her friend Judas and there is more going on than a song and a cry. I’m excited to be her.”
Tony Marino said that at the end of the day, it’s just a great story.
“That’s what’s brilliant about it,” he said. “If you believe, as I do, it’s a story with other ramifications and lore that make it complex and moving. If you have no experience with the story or belief, it’s a story about a man who did an extraordinary thing, who believed so resolutely in something and the result he hoped it would have, he was willing to die for it. That also makes it a moving, complex and incredible story. Either way, the drama there is fascinating.”
“Jesus Christ Superstar” will be performed at the Palace Theatre 7:30 p.m. April 12 and 13 and 2 p.m. April 14. For tickets call Stage Right at 724-832-7464 or The Palace Theatre box office at 724-836-8000. On Friday April 12, following the performance, there will be an opening night reception in the Megan Suite of the Palace.