Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...I often see productions more than once. But I've never encountered such varying circumstances as the ones that led me thrice to Timothy Sheader's profoundly compelling production of "Jesus Christ Superstar," now at the Cadillac Place Theater in Chicago. Just through Sunday."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...In the 50th anniversary staging of “Jesus Christ Superstar” running through July 31 at the Cadillac Palace, that overture hits like a bolt of adrenaline. Howling strings are layered with an insistent synthesizer. A fanfare of battle-of-Jericho-worthy brass broadens and deepens the sound. A ruthless percussion drives the sonic themes that hurtle the 90-minute story from adulation to crucifixion."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...That problem isn’t totally resolved in this latest touring incarnation; the sound mix itself felt a little muddy at Wednesday’s opening at Cadillac Palace. But overall, it feels like the show leans a bit more into teasing out the tensions between the big bombastic touches and the central paradox posed by creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice: How do you remain a leader of the ordinary people when they want to see a god?"
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Somewhat Recommended
"...With Lyrics from Time Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is rock opera that's loosely, and I mean loosely, based on the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus. Centered on Judas's accounts of Christ, we get a mixture of rock and Woodstock music in this production filled with contemporary life. With several anachronisms, this version of Jesus Christ Superstar will have you lost and wondering what the hell...heaven is going on here in Jerusalem."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring. Featuring award-winning music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Many Chicago area audiences have just watched "Godspell" at TheoUbique in Evanston, which is another musical depicting a different view of the same Passover season. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes 'I Don't Know How to Love Him', 'Gethsemane' and 'Superstar'."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...I doubt I'm alone when I say that Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the greatest musical productions of all time. It's easy to love. It has all the elements that make a potent stage experience from marvelous music to compelling leads to an engaging storyline to explosive dance numbers. When it was first staged fifty years ago, the brilliance of composer Andrew Lloyd Weber and the on-target lyrics of Time Rice coupled with the performances Ted Neeley (Jesus), Yvonne Elliman (Mary Magdalene) Carl Anderson (Judas) and a talented ensemble were nothing short of magical. The edgy production shot its way through the 1970's with critical acclaim where it still packs theaters today with new generations of vocally gifted actors taking on the classic roles. The musical, which was first staged in 1971 was inspired by the 1970 album with Deep Purple's Ian Gillan singing the part of Jesus."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...This isn’t your mama’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The beloved rock opera gets a heavy metal-like makeover in this 50th Anniversary Production reimagined by The Regent Park Theatre London. The 15 member band is onstage and on fire! They aren’t accompanying the singing. They are driving the madness! Their music inspires the crowd’s adoration of a Savior. The frenzied tempo then ignites condemnation for a criminal. The blaring ride is heart-pounding. For fans of the 1970 concept album that led to the Broadway debut, this JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR isn’t the familiar hippie-style protest, it’s a bloody revolution!"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...In any production, it all comes down to the central trio-Jesus, Judas, and Mary Magdalene-and the Word of the Lord (Lloyd Webber, that is) is in good hands here. Aaron LaVigne's Jesus is armed with a thousand-yard stare of spiritual paralysis; Omar Lopez-Cepero's Judas, a thousand-yard stare of calamitous foresight; and both have voices that can probably reach much farther given half the chance. Jenna Rubaii's Mary, the voice of an innocent in the mother of all cruxes, also reminds us that Tim Rice's typical lyrical flippancy is equally matched by his smart heart."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...In October 1971, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice debuted their new rock opera, a reimagining of the greatest story ever told...well, a portion of it, at least. In 90 minutes and one grand act, Jesus Christ Superstar recounts the last moments of the Son of God, from the apostles who followed him and his teachings to Judas's heartbreaking betrayal to those final ghastly moments strung up on the cross. More than 50 years later, the show still possesses a contemporary flair, its electric guitars and belted melodies packing a powerful punch as the touring company finally makes its way through Chicago after a pandemic delay."
Chicago On Stage - Recommended
"...The Rock Opera Jesus Christ, Superstar is about as iconic a musical as the modern era has produced. The familiar territory of this show-not only does the story hold no surprises to anyone even remotely familiar with the gospels, but the music, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, was introduced first as a concept album that made its way into almost everyone's collection-forces almost every production to find new ways of presenting it."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...Hearing the run time coming in at just over 90 minutes, you might be as taken aback as this writer. Ninety minutes seems so short when we're used to Andrew Lloyd Weber's two act musicals stretching over the course of an entire evening. But in this production, there are no set changes and the songs flow into each other one right after the other. For this writer, it makes the world of Jesus Christ Superstar that much more intense as it heightens the impending death of our superstar."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...What makes this tour so special is that it is the 50th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's controversial, yet iconic and timeless rock opera that focuses on the retelling of Christ's last days and crucifixion."
NewCity Chicago - Recommended
"...Dubbed a rock opera by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and librettist Tim Rice, the fusion of music and words in "Superstar" is so unified that its unfolding of the last week of the life of Jesus has never needed much staging for the story to be conveyed. When Lloyd Webber was complaining about the original Broadway version, the film and various stagings in a 1987 interview we had, I suggested aloud if the problem might be that the work is not so much an opera as an oratorio or a Passion. Peter Sellars and a handful of contemporary directors aside, it is more an exception than the rule to see, say Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" staged."