Jesus Christ Superstar (50^th year anniversary) in the Warton Center on Michigan State’s campus was the first live rock opera I’d ever attended. In 2020 the live TV special aired featuring singer/rapper Common as Jesus and Alice Cooper as King Herod. The performance was entertaining and it was enjoyable to see recognizable personalities in a rock opera. I was interested in seeing the live performance live when my mom notified me that it was coming to town and she wanted to go. Originally premiering in 1970, as a concept album due to a lack of funding for a full production, the story is based largely around Judas who is unhappy with how Jesus is directing his disciples. During the first decade of touring the play made over a quarter trillion dollars.

The current touring cast of JCSS doesn’t feature any non-playwright talent that I could identify. Jack Hopewell portrayed Jesus. Elvie Ellis was Judas and Faith Jones as Mary.

Warton was maybe half full on a Friday which provided room to stretch and not be crowded for the performance. The show ran about 90 minutes with no intermission. We sat in our typical, preferred placement of three rows back and centered in the upper level. Perfect, for overlooking the entire stage and its happenings.

My mind allowed fact that the performance was a “rock opera” and didn’t have any speaking parts to slip out of my head. It sank in that with no speaking parts the story would be relayed entirely by singing numbers and therefore, difficult to pick up on. I struggled with the singer’s articulation throughout the show. The vocals of Erich Schleck playing King Herold were the most articulate and entertaining of the evening. Schleck was articulate and his performance showed more energy than most of the performances. The main cast didn’t have a particularly exciting group of vocalists but voices did peak out of the ensemble. It’s a shame that some of those voices didn’t get a platform.

The stage was stationary up until the final act of Jesus’s ending. The on-stage band performing in a two-story ghetto is cool initially but demands 40% of the stage space. Limiting what the cast can do on the rest of set. A building on the opposite side of the stage provided a lower stage for entering/exiting and an upper area that was really seldom used for impactful moments except Judas hanging himself in the final act, which wasn’t clearly communicated. A giant cross was setup between the two building/ghetto structures and used as a multipurpose tool including a table for the last supper.

Props were minimal and not impactful. It appeared as through the choreography was often a touch behind. A microphone with a cord was used for the main singing numbers adding to the suspense that a performer might trip and severely injure themselves. The final scene with Jesus on the cross is impactful, but strange with Jesus being propped the giant stage cross on yet another cross. I thought he was going to be elevated on the main stage.

After watching stellar “Wicked” performance weeks prior, JCC didn’t provide the same entertainment level The band does an excellent job of punching up and building tension and excitement. A larger stage might provide a more exciting space to work with. Maybe more definition in characters and musical numbers would provide zestier for a decades old play. It seems a little dated and restrictive compared to other top-notch performance. I just left wanting more.