University of Utah Theatre Students to Stage All-Female JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Open Door Productions and The University of Utah's Department of Theatre presents Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, which explores the last week of Jesus Christ's life through the eyes of his closest friend and enemy, Judas Iscariot.

Directed by senior Musical Theatre major Bailey Cummings, the production runs Nov. 3rd & 4th in Studio 115 in the Performing Arts Building, 240 S. 1500 East.

The Department of Theatre has partnered with the new student Production Company, Open Door Productions, to bring this production to life with an inventive, all-female cast.

The story revolves around the days leading up to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, however the events take place through the eyes of Judas, the man who turns Jesus in. The show is completely sung-through, with a rock score by Rice and Webber. Open Door Productions has gone a step farther in mixing up the narrative by using an entirely female cast to tell the story.

"I never thought that I would make my directing debut with Jesus Christ Superstar. Until now, it hasn't been a show I felt particularly connected to. But when I started to discuss this production with my friends and colleagues that now make up the cast and production team, it quickly wedged its way right into my heart. Never before have I had the opportunity to work on something so creatively fulfilling as our all-female production of this show. Our cast not only performs this show like no other; they also add a layer to the story that has never been seen before. By casting the show this way, we are able to express that a story that has shaped human culture from the beginning of time is not only accessible to the male experience, but the entire human race. Who is to say the story of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot couldn't have been experienced by women? Finding this version of Jesus Christ Superstar has been an absolute joy and I am thrilled that audiences will soon experience it." - Bailey Cummings, Artistic Director of Open Door Productions and Director of Jesus Christ Superstar

Also working at the helm of the project are senior theatre majors Wilson Hicken as music director, and Aaron Eskelson as choreographer. Utah grad Lloyd Livengood acts as assistant music director, and stage management major Abby Fetters is the production stage manager.

The cast is led by musical theatre seniors Amanda Wright as Jesus Christ and Jamie Landrum as Judas Iscariot. The production also features Madison Timm as Mary Magdalene, Mary Nikols as King Herod, Devin Sheridan as Caiphas, Fiona Hannan as Peter, Mikki Reeve as Pontius Pilate, Mila Santos as Simon Zealotes, and Kelly Tansey as Annas. The ensemble includes Hayley Cassity, Micki Martinez, Caroline Hanks, Rachel Brenneman, Susannah Anders, Emily Smiley, Jessica Weyman, Caitlin Rae Campbell, Kimi Brown, Dominique DeFelice, Laura Rizzo, Aria Klein, Makayla Cussen, Amanda Smith, Alice Ryan, Barbara Camara, Nicole Tate, and Nicole Tate. Quincey Lawson is the swing.

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IF YOU GO:

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Dates and Times: Show runs Nov. 3rd at 7:30pm and Nov. 4th at 2:00pm.

Location: Studio 115 in the Performing Arts Building, 240 S. 1500 East. Parking is available in the visitor's lot to the south of the theatre, at Rice-Eccles Stadium or on Presidents Circle.

Tickets: Tickets for the performance are free of charge. Both shows are currently sold out, however we will abide by a strict no late seating policy. There will be a stand-by line at both performances so patrons who were not able to reserve a ticket can fill any additional seats that go unoccupied.

Content warning: Recommended for patrons ages 15 and up. Mature audiences only. This production includes violence and depictions of death and suicide.

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