Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is Phenomenal at Musical Theater Heritage in Kansas City

Opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar on Saturday June 5 proves why Musical Theater Heritage is the Kansas City Superstar of musical theater. Directed by Musical Director Sarah Crawford the rock opera with lyrics by Tim Rice and Music by Andrew Lloyd Weber surpasses any musical performance this year in Kansas City. The concert style performance proves that elaborate sets, costumes, and choreography are not necessary when the stage is filled with some of the best talent in Kansas City.

I have seen the light and it shines brightly on Musical Theater Heritage. Pancho Javier, a Kansas City actor in the audience on Saturday said, "The voices just melted together . . . Each song took me in a different direction." Another audience member said, "This performance is more meaningful than any production I've seen before. These people are living the songs."

Christin Byrdsong makes his Musical Theater Heritage and Kansas City debut as Jesus. Kansas City is filled with tremendous talent and we just added a thoroughbred to the stable. The grand power of his voice sent chills up my arms more than once. As a tear runs down his cheek sniffles could be heard coming from throughout the audience.

Patrick Lewallen makes his second appearance at Musical Theater Heritage and is superb as the traitor Judas. What a tremendous voice and range he brings to the stage. Lewallen has appeared in several productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, but this is the first as Judas, which he describes as his dream role. In 2009-2010, he appeared as James in the North American Tour of the production. He has previously appeared in the First Broadway National Tour as Lonny Barnett in Rock of Ages, earning him a Broadway World Nomination for "Best Supporting Actor in a Touring Production."

Stephanie Wienecke returns to the Kansas City stage after an automobile accident took her away from performing for nine months. Since the accident, she performed only once and that was at Musical Theater Heritage's Musical Monday and Tuesday. Oh, my god is the only way to describe her spectacular performance. She has always been a favorite in Kansas City and now has returned with a vengeance.

Comic relief comes in the form of Jeff Berger portraying Herod. He is magnificent as he sings and dances around the stage. Berger has been seen is numerous roles on Kansas City stages, but the Musical Theater Heritage role is so far his grandest. As he sashayed off the stage I wished Rice and Webber had given Herod (Berger) another solo to sing.

Another newcomer to the Kansas City stage Nathan Whitson made an awesome (I do not use this word often but this time it is deserved) debut as Caiaphas. With cohort Annas delightfully played by Robert Hingula they scheme to have Jesus crucified by Pilate played by Brian Patrick Miller. All three actors gave brilliant performances on a stage filled with Kansas City's best.

Musical Director Jeremy Watson plays piano and conducts the orchestra for Jesus Christ Superstar. The orchestra consists of Michalis Koutsoupides plays keyboard and a splendid violin solo, Joseph Leven is on lead guitar, Blake Hughes on bass, Tim Thomas on trumpet, Ben Cooper on trombone and Tod Barnard on drums.

Only once or twice, a year I see a show a second time, but Jesus Christ Superstar at Musical Theater Heritage is definitely one I would see again. Jesus Christ Superstar continues at the Musical Theater Heritage Crown Center through June 21. Believe me when I say, this is a show you do not want to miss. Purchase tickets by calling 816-221-6987 or visit the Musical Theater Heritage website. Photo courtesy of Musical Theater Heritage.

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