Jesus Christ SUPERSTAR

FOR A NEW GENERATION

This month, the college will be treated to the Theatre Department’s third staging of the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” first performed at Mt. Hood 1983 and more recently in 2002.

This history has resulted in a multigenerational tradition, as one of the crew members of a previous production has a child on the current production. And don’t be surprised to find MHCC alumni coming to check it out, too. ‘Superstar’ was born when composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and songwriter Tim Rice collaborated to create the memorable rock opera, which is loosely based on the events of the New Testament of the Bible. They originally produced it as a concept album, since at first they couldn’t get backing for it as a stage production.

That was a great step because the album was so well-received that it went straight to Broadway in New York, and opened in 1971. It remains listed as one of the longest-running musicals, right up there with “Cats” and “West Side Story.”

Daryl Harrison-Carson, technical director and lighting and set designer for the new show, has worked on five versions of this production over the course of her theatre career.

She explained that the current Mt. Hood production is interpreted by its cast and crew with a modern apocalyptic mood, whereas the previous versions were presented using a historical or hippy-esque perspective.

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“This is gritty-grungy-political, a good metaphor for what is happening now,” Harrison-Carson said.

Asked what makes this updated production unique, she noted there is “a big-ass, light-up cross” the MHCC crew is excited about. It was inspired by the student’s poster design. The crew repurposed some rarely used vintage lighting fixtures here at the school to create it, she said. There are three separate crosses in this production, which is two more than she has used in any previous versions. 

While Mt. Hood theatre instructor Zach Hartley serves as the show’s director, this production also features Gabby Carver as assistant director, making their debut as such.

The cast has a wide range of experience levels and diversity of ages, composed of students, faculty, and community members who are joining together to make this production represent the many sections that make up our community. Examples include first-year student Anthony Felipe in the role of Jesus and second-year student Julia Standley in the role of Mary Magdalene.

Judas is played by Nathan Krishnaswami, an MHCC part-time music faculty member and voice teacher. Community member Eric Scheur is making his stage debut as Pontius Pilate, having been in love with the musical for more than 30 years. The audience also might recognize longtime MHCC performer Jayce Jennings as King Herod.

”JCS” will be staged in the College Theatre here on campus. There are six opportunities to see the two-and-half-hour show, including two matinees. Admission is $10 for students / seniors / staff and $15 for general admission.