BWW Reviews: Stage 1 Theatre's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR a Huge Hit

As you walk into the theatre nestled on the campus of Newark Memorial High to watch STAGE 1 Theater's production of Jesus Christ Superstar, your eyes snap to center stage. Bathed in a brilliant blue gel is a seven foot tall book that comes straight out of a Disney fairy tale and on its intricate cover you read the words, "THE GOSPEL OF JUDAS." My first thought? "This is going to be good."

I was dead wrong. It wasn't good - it was outstanding! Stage 1 Theatre's interpretation of this classic rock musical was an unexpected pleasure. I have never seen, nor do I think I will ever see a better performance of Judas. This show should be renamed Nikita Burshteyn Superstar. The twenty-year-old actor, following director Matty Gregg's inspirational retelling of this tale, flips the show upside down with his explosive passion and pure talent and made me rethink how this show can be performed. At one point during the show his singing was so powerful that tears just rolled down my face. I was so drawn into his performance that many times I just stopped taking notes so that I could feel everything that was happening on stage. I don't know where they found Nikita Burshteyn, but they better not let him go.

We all know Jesus Christ Superstar as Jesus' life and struggles with being the leader of a ragtag band of followers and savior of the world. His relationship with apostle Judas Iscariot, who eventually betrays him, provides the angst and counterpoint. But director Matty Gregg has turned the main focus of the musical away from Jesus and on to Judas without changing anything but the acting and it is truly inspired.

Exceptional talent, Brian Palac as Jesus, works with Burshteyn to switch the dynamic of this show flawlessly. Besides having a powerful voice of his own, Palac delivers lines with an extra hint of cynicism that shows how lonely Jesus really is. I almost felt like he was giving a nod to Macbeth and through this character change he allows the audience to truly believe that Judas is the main character and that you are watching The Judas Show.

The production starts by opening the massive book and on its pages are LED screens made to look like pages. They are used throughout the production for everything from lighting effects with swirling colors to short videotaped segments. But most importantly, the book shows pages out of the Gospel of Judas as they are being written by the character on stage. Burshteyn sits in the background of many scenes with a personal diary - the gospel - and writes out his feelings and observations of the events before him.

The ensemble was suitable for community theatre and along with a powerful main cast really put on a show. Katherine Dela Cruz as Mary Magdelene, Ray D'Ambrosio as Pontius Pilate, Sam Leeper as Simon, and Dan Burshteyn as Peter were great in their individual supporting roles. Dela Cruz was soft and touching, D'Ambrosio held himself with authority, Leeper had a very good voice and Dan Burshteyn as Peter was not only the stand out dancer, but along with Dela Cruz, did wonderfully in "Peter's Denial" and "Could We Start Again Please."

Lighting Designer Mark Helton had some lighting flaws in his design. Actors were placed into locations where there wasn't enough light or intimate scenes where the spot light was in a different area completely. These things need to be fixed.

Costume Designer Jo-Ann Birdsall mixed modernity with ancient biblical touches but not to great effect. Judas appeared in an awesome looking trench coat and scarf and Jesus was in white jeans and button down. This gave the show a modern feel, but though Judas and a few others had a very specific look, the large breadth of the cast did not. It was a mixture of free flowing white linen with colorful contemporary t-shirts. One consistent style would have given the show cohesion.

All in all Stage 1 Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar is one that should not be missed. Nikita Burshteyn as Judas is something that every theatre lover should see. I think that every seat should be filled in this small house with family, friends, and musical lovers. And if not with those then the theatre should be filled with talent agents waiting to give Nikita Burshteyn an offer. You have only one weekend left to see this amazing retelling and an amazing talent on the stage. Running April 24 - 26, Jesus Christ Superstar at Stage 1 Theatre in Newark should not be missed. I for one am going to see it again.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - A Rock Opera
Lyrics by Time Rice; Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Directed by Matty Gregg
Stage 1 Theatre of Newark, CA
www.Stage1theatre.org
Venue: Newark Memorial High School theater: 39375 Cedar Boulevard in Newark, behind New Park Shopping Mall.
Photo courtesy of Stage 1 Theatre

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