In 1971, Broadway offered an awe-inspiring production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” that wowed audiences and theater critics. The Paramount Theatre hopes to do the same thing with its all-black version of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera.
“The Paramount is really doing something revolutionary and exciting with this show,” said Director Ron Kellum, who is African-American. “It is not gimmicky. Our responsibility as storytellers is to find ways to represent truth in ways that translate to every audience no matter the color, creed, orientation or status. Having an all-black cast in this show at this time in our lives is very important.”
“Jesus Christ Superstar” will be presented at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sundays from April 19 through May 28 at the Aurora theater.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is rated PG.
“This is not a gospel version,” Kellum said. “It is not hip-hop. It’s just performed with an all-black cast. How we move, how we sing — our influences were more opera, rhythm and blues or rock ‘n’ roll. It’s all going to happen organically.”
With music by Webber and lyrics by Rice, the musical was released as a concept album in 1970, before the show debuted on Broadway in 1971.
The show centers on the final days of Jesus Christ’s life.
Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus was being hailed by many as the Messsiah. The Passion story, including Jesus’ crucifixion and death, is told mainly from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, the apostle who eventually betrays Jesus and turns him in to the authorities.
“It is the Judas narrative,” Kellum said. “We are making sure that Judas is not a villain. He is everyman. We all make bad choices or make a decision which we should not have made.”
“Jesus Christ Superstar” opened on Broadway on Oct. 12, 1971, and closed on July 1, 1973, after 711 performances.
The show earned five Tony nominations. Songs from the show include: “Everything’s Alright,” “Heaven on Their Minds,” “Hosanna,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Superstar.”
A film version of the play was released in 1973.
An all-black cast version of the show is a rarity, Kellum said.
“The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, did an all-black version in 2009,” he said. “This is one of the first times it is being done in the United States on this scale.”
The idea started about a year and a half ago.
“I received a telephone call from Artistic Director Jim Corti and the creative team at the Paramount,” Kellum said. “They said, ‘Let’s try something like this.’ It was their brainchild.”
Kellum, who is based in Los Angeles, is making his Paramount debut with “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The producer, director and choreographer’s experiences range from being an artistic director of Cirque du Soleil’s “KOOZA” to staging major sports spectacles such as the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl halftime show in January.
“This show is probably the pinnacle of my career,” he said. “You feel the pressure to do a good job, but you also welcome the opportunity.”
Also welcoming the opportunity is Kory Danielson, who, along with Tom Vendafreddo, is co-musical director and conductor for the show.
“This is a totally new experience for me,’ said Danielson, who is white, about the all-black cast. “It is an incredible experience to see what this cast brings to the material with their background.”
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This is Vendafreddo’s 12th musical with the Paramount, and Danielson was the assistant musical director and associate conductor on 10 of those shows.
“The workload is immense,” said Danielson referring to “Jesus Christ Superstar.” “It really takes two people to get things done musically. Tom and I were brainstorming about different ideas for the show, so it made sense to have more creative input.”
Kellum agrees.
“We had such great excitement from both Kory and Tom,” he said. “We thought, ‘They are both so excited, why don’t we have them share this journey?’ The more minds you have with creative energy, the more options you get.”
Although the two musical directors may have planned much of the show ahead of time, the rehearsals are handled differently.
“We do it on the fly,” said Danielson about dividing the workload. “We prepared together, but in the rehearsal room, we split the room to do vocals, or choreography, or something else, so we just decide on the spot who goes where.”
For Kellum, “Jesus Christ Superstar” has special meaning.
“I was raised in the church,” he said. “I am a strong Christian. It is satisfying to do a piece like this that speaks to me personally.”
Randall Mielke is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
When: April 19-May 28
Where: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
Tickets: $44-$59
Information: 630-896-6666 or www.paramountaurora.com