Stage company to present rock opera ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

MADISON » Madison Lyric Stage will present the iconic rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” for 10 performances July 19-30.

Performances will be held at the Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society, 297 Boston Post Road in Madison.

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, the classic musical tells the story of the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, and features wellknown songs like Gethsemane, Heaven on Their Minds and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.

Filled with an exciting mix of musical styles that draw upon 1970s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, this contemporary reimagining of the biblical tale is a fiery epic of celebrity, passion, betrayal and, ultimately, salvation.

“This is going to be one of our most immersive productions ever, with the audience inches away from the singers at all times,” said Marc Deaton, artistic director of Madison Lyric Stage. “While a dramatic and profound story, we are all redeemed by the actions of this one man, and I want the audience on its feet, singing and dancing in the aisles by the show’s conclusion.”

“Jesus Christ Superstar,” featuring a rock band, stars Marc Deaton as Jesus, John Johmann as Judas and Rochelle Bard as Mary Magdalene. Deaton also directs. Lydia Iarocci and Vic Johnson are musical directors.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at madisonlyricstage.org or by calling 203-215-6329. Tickets are also available at R.J. Julia in Madison. The Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society building is centrally airconditioned.

Production sponsor Guilford Savings Bank and Madison Lyric Stage will co-host a tapas-style preshow reception on Saturdays, July 22 and 29 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Guilford Savings Bank branch located at 589 Boston Post Road in Madison. Guests will enjoy a casual reception, featuring Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and wine. Tickets for the suppers are $40 and can be purchased separately from the performance on the Madison Lyric Stage website. Space is limited.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. for performances Wednesday through Saturday, and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Madison Lyric Stage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity and arts collective for the Shoreline of Connecticut. Its mission is to present professional-quality entertainment from the worlds of musical theater, opera and drama. Past productions include: A Little Night Music, Blithe Spirit, Evita, Macbeth, Otello, Peter Grimes, Salome, The Glass Menagerie, and many others.