-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
`Jesus Christ Superstar’ hits the Boise stage
Archive
Comments
Story
Picture this – leather pants, studded belts, an S&M whipping boy and a transvestite. You would have thought you stopped by “The Rocky Horror Show,” but no. This is Jesus Christ, man, and he is a Superstar. Knock `em Dead dinner theatre proudly opens their season with the 1971 controversial classic “Jesus Christ Superstar” as envisioned by director Scott Beseman.
First released as a record in October of 1970, it has since acclaimed powerful single hits such as “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” which has been recorded with over 50 different artist versions. In 1973, Norman Jewison directed the film, and since then, “Superstar” has been a successful Broadway musical production and gained noticeable status as a classic performance.
Beseman livens up Knock `em Dead’s version with what he calls a “punk-goth” look, but keeping Jesus Christ in a more traditional role. “I don’t think they care much about the other characters,” Beseman said. Beseman added that he didn’t know how conservative guests and religious patrons might take his extravagant ideas about the play, “just Jesus.”
He mentioned “Jesus Christ Superstar” was originally written as a passion. “The show should be timeless. I wanted to have a really good time with this,” he said. The 1973 movie production added a hippie and stoner atmosphere to the concept, while Broadway depicted the Apostles as a street gang and introduced a more violent attempt at their behavior onstage.
Beseman wanted to create something “a little over the top” but “passive” as well. The Apostles were certainly flashy and extreme, but not hateful or militant. It rings of cultism, presenting Jesus Christ with a human side that many people find difficult to swallow, especially when J.C. becomes overwhelmed and tells the lepers, “you can heal yourselves.”
To view Jesus as having passion, doubt, confusion, anger and even lust has always been a focal point that many people do not want the King of the Jews to have, especially Christ’s own questioning of his faith in God. People tend to forget he was also “just a man.” The cast includes Michael Case as Jesus, Bobby Belfry as Judas, Christine Thomas as Mary Magdalene and David Scott and Dan Alderman as the High and Chief Priests, along with dozens of other incredible local talents.
Case has been singing for most of his life, and this is his third season with Knock `em Dead. Case said music is his main form of “relaxation.” While performing he can “let go of everything else.” Originally from California, Case prefers to sing in musicals.
“While on stage, something gets in your blood, you’re hooked again,” he said. Bobby Belfry was invited back to Boise from his hometown of New York City for his second performance at Knock `em Dead theatre. His first debut in Idaho was as Freddie Trumper in “Chess,” and currently he is working on his second album while he is staying in Boise for the performance.
“I hope the next time I come back, I’m a successful singer-songwriter,” Belfry said. Christine Thomas has been singing since 1987, and the part of Mary Magdalene is her first musical acting performance. Her first solo album is called “Honey Chain” and she performs with her band, Drug Store, at area nightclubs. “I loved this play all my life,” she said of “Superstar,” “I’m so happy I got the part.”
Focusing on her career, Thomas doesn’t always pursue the stage in this form. “I just wanted to do this particular play,” she said. Her talent obviously does not falter with this part. One of the unique aspects about dinner theatre, at least here in Boise, is that the actors and actresses seat the guests, tend the bar and wait and bus tables.
“It’s one of the things our audience enjoys,” said Susie Jeffords who has been performing for Knock `em Dead for eleven years and 32 productions. “They can talk to the actors while they are still in character,” she said. The audience seemed to agree. Chris McClure, a counselor for Boise State since 1993 said, “it adds such a neat touch.” McClure has seen several performances at Knock `em Dead.
“They do some pretty risqu? and controversial stuff, that’s why I like it,” McClure said. The actors range in age from 13 to 50 years old, and seem to bond as a family. They appear to enjoy their time onstage as well as on the floor. The costuming is boisterous and eccentric without losing the underlying depth and focus of the play’s intense messages. “This musical has something for everyone visually,” Beseman said.
If You Go:
“Jesus Christ Superstar” opened on Sept. 28 and runs through Nov. 17. Shows are performed Thursdays at 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with the dinner seats served on the Fridays and Saturdays starting at 6:30 p.m.
Prices are $15.50 for general admission and $12.50 for seniors and students for Thursdays. Dinner ticket prices are $34.50 on Friday and Saturdays with a “show only” price of $17.50.
Knock `em Dead theatre is located at 333 South 9th St. Tickets are available at all Select-a-Seat outlets and at www.idahotickets.com. For more information, call 385-0021.
Wendy Venable