Must See: Jesus Christ Superstar

As San Diego theaters prepare their varying takes on the history of Christmas, the La Jolla Playhouse is giving us a new spin on an old story. From Nov. 18th – Dec. 31st in the Mandell Weiss Theatre, the Playhouse is presenting the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Production of Jesus Christ Superstar before it goes to Broadway.

This Tony award-winning non-profit theater currently led by Artistic Director Christopher Ashley and Managing Director Michael S. Rosenberg has received more than 300 awards since it was founded in 1947 and continues to give the San Diego community a chance to see spectacular plays before they make it big. Jesus Christ Superstar is no exception, as this pioneering rock opera is scheduled to open on Broadway March 22, 2012 at the Neil Simon Theatre. But we have the opportunity to see it first in the comfort of our La Jolla suburb by the sea.

As a Broadway-bound production staging the events leading to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and Judus Iscariot’s historic choice between faith and betrayal, Jesus Christ Superstar, which first appeared on Broadway in 1971, has been brilliantly reinvented to appeal to a contemporary audience with modern choreography and costume. With Paul Nolan as Jesus Christ, lyrics by Tim Rice, and rock music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (composer of Cats and Phantom of the Opera), this momentous musical is sure to give a new perspective on an old classic. But what makes this performance even more special is that Playhouse Director Emeritus Des McAnuff will be having his San Diego homecoming with this performance after leaving the Playhouse in 2007 to return to Canada to be the Artist Director at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

Show times are Tuesday through Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday through Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm and 7pm. Special weekday 2pm matinee performances are on Nov. 23rd, Dec. 20th, Dec. 22nd, Dec. 28th, and Dec. 30th. Some performances are already sold out and tickets are going fast. Prices start at $58 and vary depending on date and time. For tickets and more information, call 858.550.1010 or visit lajollaplayhouse.org.

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