Big musicals right around the corner

Next Fridayis a banner day for lovers of big musicals as three iconic works take the stage around Central Florida. Orlando Shakespeare Theater opens “Man of La Mancha,” Winter Garden’s Garden Theatre unveils “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and Orlando Repertory Theatre begins public performances of “Newsies.”

The three illustrate the versatility — and endurance — of the genre: “Man of La Mancha,” which debuted in 1964, is a classic musical drawn from Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece “Don Quixote.” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” is a 1970 rock opera that envisions the final days of the Messiah. Disney’s “Newsies” is a 2011 dance-heavy show inspired by the 1899 newsboy strike in New York City. How’s that for variety?

All three have something in common, though: They are meant to uplift an audience. “Right now, I feel it’s more important than ever that we give our community hope and something to believe in,” says Jim Helsinger, the Shakespeare Theater artistic director. He says “Man of La Mancha” is “a reminder that the human spirit has an unyielding capacity for hope and love, and no matter how dark the world may seem, it is the light of our dreams that leads us on.”

The Shakes will try a new configuration of its Margeson Theater for the production, with audience members ringing the stage — a practice known as “theater in the round.”

“Musicals in the round bring the audience a closer, more immersive experience,” Helsinger says. “They will be on the fields of La Mancha with Don Quixote.” Davis Gaines and Laura Hodos star in the production (more at Orlando Shakes.org).

For the Rep’s “Newsies,” director Steve MacKinnon also wanted a strongly immersive feel. He’ll seat theatergoers on three sides of the stage to “bring the newsies into the audience.”

MacKinnon thinks patrons will not only cheer the scrappy newsboys but be entertained by the combustible relationship between leading characters Jack and Katherine (Anthony Pyatt Jr. and Meredith Pughe).

“She’s not looking for love, and he’s just looking for a pretty face,” MacKinnon says. “She’s throwing out digs and serving him shade. He’s never had that challenge from a woman before.”

The Rep is the first theater in the Southeast — and one of the first in the nation — to produce “Newsies” (more at OrlandoRep.com).

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” on the other hand, has been frequently staged for decades — but the Garden’s production will have its own spin. In addition to the onstage performers, a “virtual choir” of singers was recorded and will be projected during some numbers. Director Rob Winn Anderson has taken a contemporary sensibility with the work that’s reflected in the costuming, staging and technological show elements.

“This is one of the most digitally ambitious shows that the Garden has produced to date, because of the synchronization of digital mapping, rear and front projections, moving set pieces, a virtual choir and a live band — all of which must be cued together with absolute accuracy,” he said.

Los Angeles-based actor Benjamin Van Deipen stars as Jesus, with Shea Rafferty as Judas (more at garden theatre.org).