Each and every ensemble member sings with such immense vocal command. As to be expected from anything staged by the Lyric, this show is also packed with vocal powerhouses. McOnie relies heavily on hip hop influences to make the dancing contemporary and in line with the production’s overall tone, and the 39 ensemble members deliver the moves perfectly in sync. Photos by Todd Rosenbergĭrew McOnie’s choreography plays a great role in the vivacity of this JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. True to Lyric Opera style, the show has a host of visual delights, and all the elements fit together beautifully (among other things, each performance uses 90 pounds of gold glitter confetti). This concert-style staging, though, does not at all mean that JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR isn’t flashy. All of the characters perform their solos using handheld mics, which appear in a myriad of inventive ways throughout the production. Instead, Sheader leans into the literally performative aspects of the show. Sheader keenly stages the entire show in concert style and does not superimpose extra narrative onto JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’s collection of songs. Though the show, of course, is set in biblical times and though the album debuted in the 1970s, everything about this staging feels immediate. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is exhilarating and pays homage to the piece’s legacy as a concept album created by musical theater legends Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. Set and costume designer Tom Scutt’s rock concert atmosphere design combines a stark, modern look with a backdrop of lush greenery-a nod to the play’s outdoor theater roots.

Originally staged at London’s Regents Park Open Air Theatre in 2016, the Lyric’s production is big and bold in every aspect. This production is brilliant from start-to-finish, and it beautifully unites Lyric Opera’s commitment to providing first-rate talent and stunning visuals with director Timothy Sheader’s contemporary, invigorating vision. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ignites the Lyric Opera stage in a never-ending burst of electrifying energy.

Mykal kilgore lyric opera chicago