Jesus Christ Superstar Press Release

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Jesus Christ Superstar

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Willows Theatre Co. launches 2008 season
with classic rock opera
“Jesus Christ Superstar” graces main stage
in Concord January 28 – March 2, 2008

The Willows Theatre Company is proud to open its 2008 main stage season with the epic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. Composed by the acclaimed team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical highlights the political and interpersonal struggles between Jesus of Nazareth and the apostle Judas Iscariot. The action largely follows the canonical gospels' accounts of the last weeks of the life of Christ, beginning with his arrival in Jerusalem and ending with the Crucifixion and Resurrection. The show is directed by Marilyn Langbehn with Musical Direction by Tim Hanson and features Erwin Urbi as Jesus, Tareek Lee Holmes as Judas, and Meghan Doyle as Mary Magdalene. Jesus Christ Superstar begins previews on January 28, 2008. Opening night is Friday, February 1, with seven performances a week thereafter through March 2, 2008, at the Willows Theatre, 1975 Diamond Boulevard, in Concord, CA.

Rice and Lloyd Webber gave this Biblical story a decidedly twentieth-century spin, making use of contemporary slang and allusions to modern life. As a result, subsequent productions both on stage and in film adaptations have incorporated intentional anachronisms. A large part of the plot focuses on the character of Judas, who is depicted as a conflicted and tragic figure alarmed by his friend’s recent claims of divinity.

First conceived as an album in 1970, Jesus Christ Superstar opened first on Broadway on October 12, 1971, but received mixed reviews from the New York press. However, its harshest critic may have been Lloyd Webber himself, who was extremely dissatisfied with the way the production was mounted. The show closed after 18 months but earned five Tony award nominations, a Theatre World award (for Ben Vereen’s performance as Judas), and a Drama Desk award (for Lloyd Webber’s score).

When the show opened in 1972 at the Palace Theatre in London, however, it was an unqualified hit, running for eight years and becoming the U.K.’s longest-running musical at the time (later surpassed by other works to become the fifth longest-running). A film adaptation followed in 1973, as well as numerous international productions and a highly successful series of North American tours starring Ted Neeley as Jesus and Carl Anderson as Judas, reprising their film roles.

The Willows Theatre Company production will feature scenic design is by Peter Crompton, costumes by Robin Speer, lighting by Robert Anderson, properties by Shaun Carroll, and sound by Sean McStravick. The Stage Manager will be Allison Ward*.

THE CAST

Erwin G. Urbi* (Jesus of Nazareth) returns to the Willows Theatre, where he was last seen as Cain/Japheth in Children of Eden. His most recent Bay Area appearances include West Side Story (Chino) and Joseph … Dreamcoat (Judah) at Woodminster Amphitheatre and Smokey Joe’s Café (Ken) with AMT San Jose. National tour credits: Dreamgirls and Pacific Overtures. Regional Credits: 5th Avenue Theatre, California Musical Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, North Shore Music Theatre, Alliance Theatre Co., Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, East West Players, TheatreWorks, and San Jose Repertory Theatre.

Meghan Doyle (Mary Magdalene) last appeared with the Willows Theatre as Martha Jefferson in 1776. She has also worked with Travelling Jewish Theatre, Shotgun Players, Word for Word, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, and California Shakespeare Theatre.

Tareek Lee Holmes* (Judas Iscariot) is making his Willows debut. Previous credits include: Universal Studios Japan Monster rock and roll review (Frankenstein) in Osaka Japan; Universal Studios Hollywood Blues Brothers R&B Review (Curtis); Joseph … Dreamcoat (Judah); Smokey Joe’s Café (Ken); and Once on This Island (Armand). TV/film appearances include: XXX: State of the Union; Blow; Boston Public; and Boy Meets World.

Others in the cast include: Lowell Abelon (Annas); Ryan Drummond* (Pontius Pilate); Christopher Purdy (Caiaphas); Ricardo Rust (Simon Zealotes); Nephi Speer (Peter); and Tomas Theriot (Herod).

The ensemble includes: Sonia Alcazar, Dane Paul Andres, Stephen Baumann, Erika Bowman, Philip Bryan, Daniel Duque-Estrada, Juliet Heller, Jeffrey Holmes, Jennifer Justice, Ji Kim, Lexie Lazear, Josephine Leffner, Gabriel Ross, Seth Smith, Brian Sterling, Justin Torres, Phillip Torretto, and Sara Barreto Worthing.

*Member, Actors’ Equity Association

Ticket and Schedule Information

Tickets are $30-$40 with discounts for students (6-18), seniors (65+), groups (10+), and Preview performances. To purchase tickets visit the Willows Theatre Company web site at www.willowstheatre.org or call (925) 798-1300. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., with matinees Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.

The Willows Theatre is located at 1975 Diamond Blvd. next to REI in the Willows Shopping Center in Concord, across the street from the Concord Hilton and one block east of the Willow Pass Road exit off Highway 680.
Until January 15th, 2008, the Willows Theatre Company Daytime Box Office will be located at 1425 Gasoline Alley, Concord, at the corner of Bisso Lane, one block north of Concord Avenue. After January 15th, 2008, the Daytime Box Office will be located at 636 Ward Street in downtown Martinez, corner of Estudillo Street, in the lobby of the Campbell Theatre, home of the Willows Cabaret. The Daytime Box Office hours are Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday Noon-5 pm. The theatre box office and will-call window, located in the Willows Theatre lobby, opens one hour prior to each performance. For more information call (925) 798-1300 or visit our web site at www.willowstheatre.org.

Recipient of the 2002 Cyril Award of the San Francisco Business Arts Council for Nonprofit Arts Excellence, the Willows Theatre Company is led by Producing Artistic Director Richard Elliott. The Willows Theatre Company 2008 Season Sponsors are the Best Western John Muir Inn of Martinez; the Hilton Concord Hotel of Concord; Rocco’s Pizzeria of Walnut Creek; Industrial Lumber of Martinez; Alphagraphics of Walnut Creek; and US Bank.

This production of Jesus Christ Superstar is sponsored by Sandra Riccabona.

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