FM Theatre Productions’ three-day run of Jesus Christ Superstar kicked off on Friday to a resounding success.
Audience members in the packed hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, sang along and applauded throughout the show which brought Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular rock opera to life.
The story narrates the final six days of Jesus Christ through the troubled eyes of Judas Iscariot.
The musical, with lyrics by Tim Rice, became an international hit with the release of the 1973 film of the same name, directed by Norman Jewison and starring Ted Neeley in the title role.
Directed by Chris Gatt, with musical direction by Kris Spiteri, the local production features a 33-strong cast who sing, dance and act out all the favourite scenes from the movie.
Leading the cast are Francesco Nicodeme as Jesus, Sean Borg as Judas and Sarah Mercieca as Mary Magdalene. All of them show their vocal prowess in such numbers as Heaven on Their Minds, Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say) and the enchanting I Don’t Know How to Love Him.
The high priests including Caiaphas (Albert Buttigieg) and Annas (Jake Curti), Pontius Pilate (Joseph Zammit) and the glittery Herod (Raphael Pace) also leave their mark in renditions of This Jesus Must Die, Damned for All Time/Blood Money, King Herod’s Song (Try It and See) and Pilate’s Dream, among others.
Other crowd pleasers, involving the whole ensemble − who also gave their all while dancing − include What’s the Buzz, Hosanna and, of course, Superstar.
The score − a fusion of rock, funk, soul and gospel and Broadway ballads − is played live on stage by a talented band of musicians, while the energetic choreography is by Sandra Mifsud and Doug Comley.
The choreography stands out especially in the crowd scenes, such as in the numbers King Herod’s Song and Trial Before Pilate / 39 Lashes, which is particularly impactful.
Other memorable scenes are those of The Temple, the Last Supper, Jesus wrestling with his fate in Gethsemane, Judas’s death and, ultimately, the emotionally intense Crucifixion.
As the final note played on Friday, the audience rose to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation.
Jesus Christ Superstar is being staged again today and tomorrow at 3 and 8pm. Tickets from showshappening.com.
