To call Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar legendary would be an understatement. From the historic 1971 album to the recent revival by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, the stunning story of Jesus Christ and his disciples has impacted fans all over the world for 50 years.
To celebrate this anniversary, the show hit the road! Stopping in select cities across Canada and the United States, the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar will be celebrating the show’s rock roots while also offering a fresh take on an old classic. We caught up with Jack Hopewell, who plays Jesus, to find out more about what Edmontonians can expect from the show’s visit to the Jubilee Auditorium from November 8 – 13.
I read that this is a dream role for you! Tell us more about why you are excited to be a part of the show?
For context, I’ve been listening to this show and specifically that 1971 album since I was really little. My mom is a big Andrew Lloyd Webber fan and was always playing the original album in the car. I really grew up listening to each and every one of these songs and then getting into every different casting, every different Jesus, like Ted Neeley and Steve Balsamo. I feel like they’re part of my musical upbringing. So, as soon as I got into theatre, I thought ‘I wanna be one of those people, I want to do my own Jesus in this show.’ That’s really why I called it my dream role.
The role of Jesus is incredibly emotionally intense. Can you talk more about how you prepared for this part?
When I got the call saying that I was gonna be doing this, it was one of the best feelings ever but it also a bit daunting because of how intense it is. So it was a lot of work with my amazing vocal coach. We worked through the whole score for about a month in preparation, before I even stepped into the rehearsal room. While I was already familiar with the music, he really helped me get everything together and in a really good place before we started. And then after the process started, I really just made a point to take care of my physical and mental health because of the high intensity work load, physically, vocally, and mentally.
What’s your favourite part of the show to perform?
Honestly, I think that my favourite part of my show is “Superstar” at the very end. I’m not singing in it but I’m involved so it is this extraordinary spectacle that is going on all around me and happening to me. It’s really so intense but it’s incredible to behold. Elvie Ellis, who plays Judas, is so incredible and the entire ensemble is incredible. I think the whole show is building to the climax that happens in “Superstar.” The pay-off is incredible.
What’s special about this version of the production?
I think this production especially emphasizes the humanity of the principles, especially of Jesus and Judas. Jesus is still this big grandiose figure but he’s more of a rockstar. He’s still Jesus Christ, but he’s not the Ted Neeley film version Jesus Christ. It’s a lot easier to see him as a human being who has to make this agonizing decision to go through with his plan and save everybody. Also, I think this production really heavily leans into the 1971 album and where all of this comes from. All of the principles have handheld microphones and it’s staged a lot like a rock concert. I think it’s really cool how this production leans so heavily into that rock concert feel.
If you only had three words to describe the show, what would they be?
Breathtaking, intense, and awesome.
