I barely wrote anything in my notebook during Paula Wolfson’s performance in Judas Star Supersong, her captivating and evocative one woman production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar, which was brought from Toronto to Halifax as part of Eastern Front Theatre’s Stages Theatre Festival. I mostly just wrote “WOW” and drew hearts beside the names of songs. But, seriously, WOW and 💕.
In about 40 minutes Wolfson takes us from Judas’ decision to betray Christ (“Heaven on Their Minds) to the harrowing consequences of that decision (“Judas’ Death”) and the title production number “Superstar,” and leaves us with a beautiful communal sing of “Could We Start Again Please?” The crucifiction of Jesus is, of course, a story familiar to most people, even many who aren’t religious, but Wolfson’s rendition requires the utmost clarity in the way she brings these songs to life, and she is an absolute masterclass in musical theatre storytelling. I loved the way she rooted each character so beautifully in their humanity. From Pilate’s desperate attempt to pawn the responsibility for Jesus’ fate onto someone else, to Jesus’ doubt in his vocation, to Judas’ realization that he will be “damned for all time,” the depth and the stakes in this musical shine vividly through. I also loved the way that she performed “King Herod’s Song,” the usually sardonic humour is there, but there is also a darkness that is genuinely frightening, which does justice to the fact that this song is sung about ending a 33 year old man’s life.
I was in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2005 (directed by Raquel Duffy) where Pilate and Herod were both played by women, but it’s even more invigorating to see all these characters reimagined by a woman. It’s a testament to the show that it can be stripped down in this way, with only one incredible main vocalist, a keyboard player (Chuck Homewood) and a drummer (Pieter Huyer) and the heart of the story still resonates. In fact, without all the musical theatre pizazz Judas Star Supersong amplifies some of the musical’s most poignant messages that are often overshadowed by bigger production numbers, like this gem from Jesus, “Neither you, Simon, nor the fifty thousand, Nor the Romans, nor the Jews, Nor Judas, nor the twelve, nor the Priests, nor the scribes, Nor doomed Jerusalem itself, understand what power is, understand what glory is, understand at all.”
If you love Jesus Christ Superstar or if you love exquisitely well acted musical theatre, do NOT miss this show!
Judas Star Supersong plays at Neptune Theatre’s Scotiabank Studio (1593 Argyle Street) as part of Eastern Front Theatre’s Stages Theatre Festival at the following times:
Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00pm
Friday, June 7 at 7:00pm
Saturday, June 8 at 7:00pm
Tickets are $20.00 (plus tax) and are available HERE.
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