Jesus Christ Superstar rocks the Fetterly Playhouse in Vallejo!

Jesus Christ Superstar and the end of the world come together this evening in the Fetterly Playhouse in Vallejo at 8 p.m.!

No, I am not talking about the fact, that in about 4 hours from the time I sat down to write this blog today, the world as we know it, is supposed to be the end, - - - at least according to Mr. Harold Camping, the evangelical head of Family Radio Broadcasting Network. While I personally am not too concerned about this review not circulating here on earth after 6 p.m., never the less, I thought that this delightful production was so unique and entertaining I felt compelled to get this story out of my brain and launched into the cyber-world of internet reporting. Granted, this show which closes tomorrow, Sunday the 22nd of May, will probably be over before you read this review, anyway! Never-the-less, it is a very good production that deserves recognition for their hard work.

For those of you who are not old enough to remember “Jesus Christ Superstar”, the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera which rocked Broadway in 1971, had very mixed reviews, was very controversial and even banned by many religious groups. This musical is a retelling of the story of last weeks of Jesus Christ’s life, highlighting the political and interpersonal struggles between he and his followers. More specifically, the story focuses on Jesus’ betrayal at the hands of one of his trusted apostles, Judas Iscariot.

The original Broadway musical theatrical production and this Vallejo production are indeed anachronistic retellings of the biblical tale. Anachronistic in the sense that while the “Superstar” story was staged in a biblical era stage setting, it was told in the modern vernacular, in “hip” modern language, as if it was in a in the midst’s of the 1970’s free love and peace era, utilizing modern verbal colloquialisms.

The Vallejo production is even more anachronistic as it introduces an element of Armageddon-ism, an apocalyptic stage and background setting, in a modern day world that had recently been torn asunder by a nuclear war and destruction, a world that is even further ruptured by a battle between those surviving members of society that represent the forces of good and evil, Christ, his followers and the followers of a latter-day Herod and Caesar. This production goes a step further than the Broadway show which ended with the crucifixion scene, as this production hints at the resurrection of Jesus in its closing scene.

While I have enjoyed the rock musical many times over the years, I found certain elements of this production worthy of special praise and creativity. It is always exciting to experience new twists on old material and Directory Jeff Lowe has piloted his theatrical craft over stormy seas and demanding squalls to bring this extremely complicated visual tableau to full fruition. Creating sets and backdrops on a budget is always a challenge, but when you introduce another theatrical element, motion picture imagery in the form of moving movie compilations in what amounts to moving and integrated backdrops, you are stepping into another world, another dimension, another universe. From falling atomic bombs, to nuclear explosions, to war torn cityscapes vibrating with a kaleidoscope-like color collages, to peaceful mist filled forest glens, Lowe and his hard working creative crew have immersed his audiences in a 4th dimensional audio-visual experience. The result is a combination of sound, light, music and voices, live action and moving, artistic backgrounds all inclusive that saturate the senses.

Granted many of the actors are purely amateur thespians, but there also were many very talented aspiring-to-become-professional level actors and in their joint effort, they all contributed equally to a most enjoyable evening’s experience. Director Lowe selected a very diverse cast that includes Nick Thompson as Judas, Kyle Stoner, as Jesus, Casey Ellis as the very beautiful and caring Mary Magdalene, and Jeff Lowe, the director playing the part of Pilate. I was very pleased by the excellent voices delivering the very difficult to sing, complicated work of Webber and Rice. There were many general ensemble members who also contributed a great deal to the show, including some that I sought out after the show, including the very talented Julianna Kohley. King Herod was played by Dan Monez, accompanied Calaphas, played by Obdulio Butler, Jr., and Annas by Courtney McAllister, Simon by Sydnee Ortiz and Peter by Kiernan Donleavy. This is a huge cast and a big production for a community theatre with far more hardworking personnel than I can adequately express my kudos to in this short review.

In addition to the cast, the technical support team’s roll was paramount in this shows overall success. The costume design endeavors of Stacey Lowe were significant as the costumes were numerous (80 costumes overall), all well conceived and executed. Stacey was assisted with costumes by Robin Speer, Barbara McFadden, and Ramona Sampayan. Prop acquisition was assisted by Angel Whitebird from her little “Innovations” shop in Cotati (from where this dedicated volunteer drives for every show to assist at whatever she is asked to do). Lighting design was put together by volunteers and staff members, Barbara Van Sickle, David Dierks and Jeff Lowe. Technical Direction and sound design was at the very capable hands of David Dierks. The Multi-Media Projection staff consisted of Sven Olson, Hannah Rokni and Angel Whitebird stayed on top of many very, very complicated cuts and cues. Hair and Makeup were equally important and carried out under the direction of Mikkel Simons and Meghan Pence and Rachel Quinonez. This show just proves that there are a lot of wonderful, dedicated people who undertake these very time consuming support activities out of their shear love of theater.

If you get a chance to take this show in, it is only a 30 to 40 minute drive from Walnut Creek to the theater’s location at space #10, at 3467 Sonoma Boulevard, located at the corner of Redwood Street, at the rear of and behind the shopping center at this location. This has to be one of the most challenging theater’s to find in the entire bay area, but I have to say that it is a surprising find, a real little theatrical jewel that is very comfortable, with a well lighted parking lot that provides free parking within very close proximity to the venue. Let me describe for you the best directions I can to find the theater in this shopping center complex. I suggest that you take highway 80 north through Vallejo, until you come to the Redwood Street off ramp, where you will exit and travel west until you cross Sonoma Boulevard. Continue west and you will see the very large shopping center on your right. Drive almost to the west end of the shopping center complex, past Seafood City, and when you pull into the shopping center, point your car at the end of the buildings, the south west corner of the parking lot and you will find a little almost hidden driveway that takes you around and behind the shopping center buildings, where you will find another little sign that directs you back east to the theater entrance. It is almost as if they expect you to be looking for the back doors to all of the shops in the shopping center. There is a pretty large sign in the walkway between the buildings that points to the theater entrance. Bay Area Stage Productions phone number is (707) 649-1053.

Tickets are a very reasonable $15 for students and seniors and $18 for general admission. If you go to the web site for the Bay Area Stage Productions organization at http://www.bayareastage.org/ you will find a link that allows you to purchase tickets over the internet, or you may purchase them at the door. "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a very inventive, clever, thought provoking production. This is proof that there are many, many great little community theaters well worthy of your entertainment dollar. Try it, you may very well like it!