For Melina Schein, a good musical is all about the power behind the songs.
That香蕉视频直播檚 why when Schein (formerly Moore) of Big Apple Productions had the opportunity to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber香蕉视频直播檚 Jesus Christ Superstar back to the Vernon stage May 17-18, she knew she had to jump on it.
And with a chorus of 75 singers under the direction of Lana O香蕉视频直播橞rien, this year香蕉视频直播檚 show is sure to be of biblical proportions.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 all about the quality of the music for me,香蕉视频直播� Schein said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 what musicals are meant to be. We香蕉视频直播檙e going to make sure that香蕉视频直播檚 the focus of this.香蕉视频直播�
Visuals, while important in a musical, have taken over as the centre of attention in many productions, Schein said. Webber香蕉视频直播檚 Jesus Christ Superstar, on the other hand, is a classic true sing-through 香蕉视频直播� a theatrical production where the story is largely told through song rather than dialogue.
香蕉视频直播淚 really like the music, honestly,香蕉视频直播� said Craig Howard, who dons the garb of Pontius Pilate. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 very powerful. There are times you can hear a pin drop.香蕉视频直播�
Backed by a stunning 10-piece band comprised of Okanagan legends, Schein said, the chorus and principal characters have been hard at work for three months to put what Schein calls her rock symphony of more than 20 songs together.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a true rock opera. It requires a lot of talent,香蕉视频直播� Schein said. 香蕉视频直播淚 think it is for sure Webber香蕉视频直播檚 best work.香蕉视频直播�
A partial reason for that, Schein said, is it香蕉视频直播檚 a timeless tale.
Based loosely on Gospel accounts of Jesus香蕉视频直播� final week, Jesus Christ Superstar differs from many tellings in that it香蕉视频直播檚 told through the perspective of Judas Iscariot, brought to life on stage by local star Judy Rose.
香蕉视频直播淚 think it kicks (butt) that Judas is a woman, especially in this time,香蕉视频直播� said Rose, who is also a co-producer for the show, adding that it香蕉视频直播檚 empowering to have a woman lead. 香蕉视频直播淚 am thrilled to be singing Judas香蕉视频直播� role again this year and look forward to rocking all with this magnificent music.香蕉视频直播�
Big Apple Productions brought Jesus Christ Superstar to Vernon香蕉视频直播檚 Trinity United Church last year and sold out three performances.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 just had a big revival,香蕉视频直播� Schein said, noting NBC香蕉视频直播檚 recent Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert that featured Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winner John Legend.
And, through tremendous community support, Schein was inspired to bring it back and take it to the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
香蕉视频直播淲e have a cast of incredible people, many returning from last year,香蕉视频直播� Schein said. 香蕉视频直播淲e thought we would move it to bigger digs.香蕉视频直播�
A now heavily bearded Paul Rossetti will again take on the role of Jesus in Big Apple Productions香蕉视频直播� performance.
香蕉视频直播淲hen I was watching an interview with Tim Rice (lyricist), they talked about their interest to show Christ as a human being 香蕉视频直播� what he would have gone through as a man,香蕉视频直播� Rossetti said.
It was a life-changing experience for him when he performed the titular role last year, and one Rossetti knew he had to repeat.
香蕉视频直播淚 didn香蕉视频直播檛 really know how important it would be to me until I was doing it. The week of performances, it took on a really profound meaning. It affected me deeply on a spiritual level,香蕉视频直播� Rossetti said. 香蕉视频直播淓very rehearsal has been a real gift. I believe this performance is moving, and I think the audience feels that.香蕉视频直播�
For Brian Martin, a local radio personality who appears in many of Schein香蕉视频直播檚 musicals, Jesus Christ Superstar is what originally caught his attention.
香蕉视频直播淭his is the first musical I ever saw live. I hated musicals until I saw this,香蕉视频直播� grinned Martin, who portrays Caiaphas.
Charlotte Backman as Mary Magdalene, who first uncovered the musical through last year香蕉视频直播檚 performance, said it has provided her with an opportunity to grow.
香蕉视频直播淚 find it香蕉视频直播檚 out of my comfort zone to do and very challenging,香蕉视频直播� Backman said. 香蕉视频直播淭he whole show is very emotional.香蕉视频直播�
Jesus Christ Superstar, Big Apple Productions香蕉视频直播� 15th full-scale musical, will overpower the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage May 17-18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $46.50 adults, $43 students and seniors and are available through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .
