BWW Interviews: In Depth with Stratford's 'Jesus' Paul Nolan

Jesus Christ Superstar has been the surprise hit of Stratford's 59th Season, boasting a completely sold out run and visits from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice. Tickets are virtually impossible to come by, and when a few are released, they are snatched up within minutes. Directed by Stratford's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, this new, lavish production of Jesus Christ Superstar started receiving Broadway Buzz almost as soon as it opened. While a Broadway transfer has not yet been confirmed, the entire production is going to La Jolla, San Diego to play a six week limited engagement.

The production comprises a cast and crew of some of the most talented actors, singers and dancers Canada has to offer - all of whom would no doubt make a stellar addition to the Great White Way. BroadwayWorld is thrilled to be devoting an entire week to this production of Jesus Christ Superstar, where we will feature interviews with many of the lead cast members and find out what it's like to be part of such a massive hit. And what better way to kick it off than with the man who plays Jesus himself - Paul Nolan:

First off, congratulations on the show! Tell us, how did you come to be involved with the production?

I've been involved with Stratford for awhile now, and one season I was fortunate enough to play the role of Tony in West Side Story. That was the first year that people really started paying attention to me and what I could do. The next year Des (McAnuff) asked me to play Orlando in As You Like It - and to be honest I thought he was joking! I really respect how difficult classical text is to deliver and I didn't feel like I would be able to do the role. But Des had confidence in me, and I went to a festival that taught me all about Shakespearean text and work, and I had a ball doing the role.

So by the time Jesus Christ Superstar came around Des already knew what I was capable of, and I had played the role of Jesus twice before in smaller productions. He never even auditioned me which was an amazing feeling because I couldn't help but wonder "don't they want to hear me sing?" Apparently he had a conversation with Rick Fox who felt confident that I would be the right guy for the role, and so here we are!

You mentioned that you played the role of Jesus twice before - could you explain what is so different about the Stratford version of the show?

The two previous productions I did were really special to me, but they were low budget compared to what is possible at the Stratford Festival. In my opinion, all good theatre will survive without money, because the story is what is truly important. And with Jesus Christ Superstar, the music is so brilliant that one would almost think it was channeled from some sort of God. So in that sense, I feel as though the show can really work anywhere, whether it is with a five piece band or a thirty piece orchestra.

That said, what is really great about doing the show with Des and the Stratford Festival is that the technical capabilities we have at our disposal are fantastic. You can have the sound that you would want for a rock concert right there in the Avon Theatre. They spent a lot of money upgrading the sound system this year for this show. And Des possesses something as a director that I can't explain or even fully understand. I don't want to say he's a genius because that sounds like I'm sucking up, be he hears and sees things that no one else does. And his ability to story-tell visually is incredible. The way he uses a stage and creates focus is magical.

That's why when I heard that Des was directing I was really excited. He is the perfect guy, he lived through the era when the show originally came out, he's a total rocker at heart and he gets how to bring the show to the ‘here and now'. He allows the show to be good, and because of that it truly becomes a sensational time at the theatre.

Both Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice came to see this production of the show, that must be a huge vote of confidence for you as a performer. What was it like performing for them?

Luckily we didn't know that we were performing for them! When they came on their respective evenings no one told us in advance, so we were just out there doing what we normally do. And really, whether it's your Mom or Andrew Lloyd Webber in the audience, whenever you know someone is out there it can be difficult to not be conscious of that and it can get in the way of truly acting the part so I'm glad we didn't know. I do however feel a lot of confidence in our production and in my interpretation of Jesus.

We did meet them both after the show and it was brilliant. I don't generally get starstruck by people, but it was thrilling to meet them. I just kept saying over and over to my friend "we met Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice!!!" They are just regular people but they are people who created this amazing show, and to meet them was a wonderful experience. They were also very down to earth and kind and generous with their compliments, so the whole experience was a true honour.

Did either of them offer any critiques of your performance or of the production?

I think it was overwhelming for them to see the show and it was certainly overwhelming for us as a cast to meet them so it wasn't really the best time to get feedback and ask them specific questions about our performance. I would have loved to discuss the lyrics and the scoring, it would have been incredible, but there just really wasn't any time. Perhaps we will get another chance though? Who knows!

There has been lots of talk about the revival and a possible Broadway transfer, what are your thoughts? Would you want to be involved?

I would absolutely want to go to Broadway! It would be a wonderful way to get to go to New York. Every musical theatre boy and girl dreams of doing a show in NYC at some point in their career. And going down with a show that is already established and well received (versus going to NYC and having to audition and prove yourself) is certainly appealing. I also think that Broadway would respond really well to the show.

One thing that we (as Canadians) have noticed is a growing trend in shows that go South recasting or using less Canadians than they might otherwise when originally casting. Do you think if Jesus Christ Superstar does get a Broadway transfer they will keep the cast intact?

I have no idea from the producing end of things obviously, and I don't really know how everything works or what the equity rules are. If it's a "Stratford" production maybe it is different than if it is suddenly being produced by another entity? I understand the trend though, because if you're going to have a show in New York comprised of all Canadians then people might have a problem with it and it is understandable. We tend to have a problem when shows come here and use nothing but Americans. But at the same time, when a show is really successful, it's successful for a specific reason. Sometimes it's by virtue of the show being very good, or the directing being excellent. But most of the time, when a show is magical it's because every cylinder is firing at an optimal level and the chemistry throughout the company is good.

So obviously I would love to go and I would love to go with everyone we currently have in the cast because the reason the show is doing well is because of Des and Rick and the orchestra and us. No one element makes the show amazing, it is everything put together in some mysterious recipe, and the people's hearts are in it.

To see a Canadian show be a hit on Broadway would be pretty spectacular for our theatre and the way we are viewed worldwide though, don't you think?

Absolutely! It would be a bit like Steppenwolf taking the Chicago production of Grapes of Wrath down to NYC and having a hit back in the day, it would be amazing. If it was truly the "Stratford" production that went to Broadway and it ended up being received as well as it is here - that would just be a dream. And we would all be like kids in a candy store! It wouldn't be just another show for the people involved, all of our hearts would really be in it.

On a more personal note, is there anything else on your horizon? Do you have a dream role you hope to be able to tackle in the future?

There is always stuff that you want to do for different reasons. It's weird, I get asked this question often enough and I still don't have an immediate response. I would love to do the show Company and play Bobby. I know that they just had a production of that in NYC so it won't likely happen there anytime soon, but I would love to see Stratford do it. If handled well I think that show is truly poignant, devastating, romantic and true. It's just so smart.

I would also love to do Chess, I love the show so much even with all its problems. It is wonderful when it all comes together. I think it's brilliant and the music is beautiful and the lyrics outstanding. With Chess I would ideally love to play both the American and the Russian, and switch from week to week. It would be incredibly challenging but also incredibly cool. I first got that idea when Phillip Seymour Hoffman and John C Reilly did Trust West in New York. I imagine it would be very tricky but I'm selfish and I love both parts for very different reasons.

When shows become really successful they often develop a legion of "superfans" - have you seen anything like that in Stratford? Or is it different being in a smaller community?

Well it's nothing like what I hear New York is like, or even Mamma Mia back in the day in Toronto. But yeah, we have a few of them. I have to admit I'm a bit of a recluse in terms of technology, I'm definitely in the stone age when it comes to Twitter and Facebook and all that stuff. I know that online a lot of fans are tweeting and constantly on the Stratford website trying to get tickets and information. I think that with tickets being so hard to come by it is probably harder for younger fans to come over and over again.

After the Stratford extension was announced and news of the show going to La Jolla Playhouse confirmed, Paul was kind enough to speak with us again to give us a quick follow-up on his journey up until now and his thoughts on things to come:

Congratulations on the La Jolla transfer - how do you feel about taking the show to California?

It will be a real challenge having to go to the beach to wind down after a show. I just don't know how I will manage! *laughs* Seriously though, I don't know yet how I will respond to doing Jesus Christ Superstar 8 times a week (as opposed to in Stratford where I do it 5 times and Grapes of Wrath 3 times). It might be harder or easier - on one hand it means that we have to sing the show that many more times. But on the other, it means our bodies can get used to one schedule and won't have to be continually adjusting to a new one. And I'm really looking forward to traveling with this cast, it's going to be a lot of fun!

Since we first spoke there has been increased buzz on the show, with tickets being virtually impossible to come by and everyone who sees it falling in love with it. Does that go to your head at all? How are you staying grounded through this whole journey?

Of course it is really nice that the majority of the audience seems to love the show, but it doesn't go to my head. The show is the same show that we rehearsed before the audience came to see it and back then we didn't really know what the audience would feel. They love it and that is always a nicer feeling than if they don't. Staying grounded isn't hard at all. My job isn't to enjoy the audience and start "believing what they say of (me)"...It is to discover more about Jesus Christ and give as much of my heart as I can to the story and the people on stage with me...

Besides, my sisters would all deflate my rising ego if it got out of hand!

And finally, can you get me a ticket?

I have been trying to get a hold of God to see if he can get my friends and family in, but so far he hasn't returned my call. Maybe I should try Des instead!

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When and Where?

Stratford Festival

Currently on stage until November 6th and SOLD OUT

Please visit the Stratford Festival's official website for ticketing details, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@stratfest) for updates on ticket availability.

La Jolla Playhouse

November 18th - December 31st 2011

Performance Times:

Tues-Wed: 7:30 pm
Thurs-Fri: 8:00 pm
Sat: 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sun: 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Special 2PM weekday matinee performances on Nov 23, Dec 20, 22, 28 and 30th

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (858) 550-1010 or online at http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/the-season/plays/jesus-christ-superstar

 

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