Displaying items by tag: Jeffrey Cass

Full cast and crew have been announced for BrightSide Theatre's upcoming production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the rock opera that has been wowing audiences for 50 years. BrightSide Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass will lead a of 21 actors in the ever-popular retelling of the last days of Christ by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Music Direction will be by Phil Videckis, and choreography by Jake Ganzer. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, since its release as a concept album in 1970, has enjoyed success as a stage musical (revived several times on Broadway and in London's West End, as well as touring around the world for many years), a feature film and a live television broadcast. The BrightSide production will play from June 7 – 23, at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. 
 
The cast directed by Jeffrey Cass will be led by Edward MacLennan of Bolingbrook as Jesus of Nazareth, Michael Davis Arnold of Chicago as Judas Iscariot, Meghan Kessel of Chicago as Mary Magdalene, Jon Cunningham of Schaumburg as Pontius Pilate, and Caleb Hand of Oak Forest as King Herod/Apostle/Roman Solider/First Priest. Playing key supporting roles are Stan Austin of Winfield as Caiaphas, Emma Widlowski of Park Ridge as Annas/Apostle, Tommy O'Brien of Chicago as Simon Zealotes, and Thomas Ferro of Mundelein as Peter.

The cast also includes Kassidy Alderman of Newark as Tormentor, Russell Badalamenti of Hoffman Estates as Pilate US/Roman Soldier/Apostle/3rd Priest, Julia Hope Budd of Chicago as Tormentor, Zach Gibson of Warrenville as Apostle, Amber Golich of Chicago as Tormentor, Erica Harrington of Westchester as Mary US,/Apostle, Erol Ibrahimovic of Chicago as Soldier/Apostle, Athena Kopulos of Chicago as Apostle, Mary Grace Martens of Chicago as Apostle, Thomas McMahon of Bradley as Apostle/Roman Soldier/Man by the Fire, Mary Schwark of Bradley as Apostle, and Shaina Summerville of Rolling Meadows as Maid by Fire/Apostle.

The production team for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR also includes Jeff Award nominee Kurt Ottinger (Lighting Design), Cheryl Newman (Costume Design), Tim Elliott (Sound Mixer), Jeff Sand (Technical Director), De Haddad (Stage Manager/Assistant Director), JJ O'Connell (Assistant Stage Manager), and Trent Bronson (Production Assistant). Scenic concept is by Jeffrey Cass.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will be performed at Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).  

LISTING INFORMATION

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Book and Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Directed by Jeffrey Cass
Music Direction by Phil Videckis
Choreography by Jake Ganzer
June 7 - 23, 2024
Performances Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm
Press Opening Friday, June 7 at 8 pm
Tickets $32 - $37, available at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497) 
Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville 60540
 
Since its Broadway debut, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's spectacular musical phenomenon JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR has thrilled millions of theatregoers worldwide, mesmerizing them with its passion, captivating them with its story and entrancing them with its anthemic title song. Borrowing from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, 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. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary sung through score includes "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Gethsemane," and "Superstar."
 
BIOS
 
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director/Director) a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played "Edna" in BST's production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed 8 Productions including THE WHO'S TOMMY (six Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
 
Andrew Lloyd Webber (Composer) has composed the scores of some of the world's most famous musicals. From JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (1968) to BAD CINDERELLA (2021), his work has been consistently seen on world stages. Before the Covid pandemic hit, Lloyd Webber had shows continually running in the West End for 48 years and on Broadway for 41, with SCHOOL OF ROCK being the first British musical to have its world premiere on Broadway. When SUNSET BOULEVARD joined SCHOOL OF ROCK, CATS and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, he equaled Rodgers and Hammerstein's record of four shows running simultaneously on Broadway.
 
He is one of the select group of artists with EGOT status, having received an Emmy, four Grammys (including Best Contemporary Classical Composition for REQUIEM), an Oscar and eight Tony Awards (including the 2018 Special Tony for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre). He has also won seven Oliviers and a Golden Globe – and his honors include a Classic Brit award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship, and the Kennedy Center Honor.
 
Tim Rice (Book and Lyrics) has worked in music, theatre, and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim's ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew's obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration was based on the life of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, THE LIKES OF US. Their next three works together were much more successful – JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and EVITA.
 
Tim has since worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (THE LION KING, AIDA), Alan Menken (ALADDIN, KING DAVID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (CHESS), and Stuart Brayson (FROM HERE TO ETERNITY). He has also written with Freddie Mercury, Burt Bacharach and Rick Wakeman, among others.

 
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
 
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe.  A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide's stage.  For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.   

It was a dark and stormy night (yes, it really was!) – the perfect ambiance for taking in one of theatre’s classic comedic thrillers, Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, staged by BrightSide Theatre at North Central College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall, in Naperville.

For knowledgeable theatre buffs, Deathtrap holds the record for the longest-running comedic thriller on Broadway. It was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play, and was later adapted for the screen, starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve.

It’s the story of world-famous playwright Sidney Bruhl, who for the past 11 years has been riding the fading fame of his one and only hit play, The Murder Game. Having to squeak by on his wife’s income and forego his once lavish lifestyle, Sidney is looking for a way to regain his fame – and fortune.

As the play opens, Sidney is reading a manuscript that arrived in the mail from one of his seminar students. Much to his chagrin, the script is brilliant, and in his estimation, bound to be a smash hit. Sidney shares his thoughts with his wife, Myra, and together the pair conspire to make the manuscript their own. While Myra promotes collaboration (with Bruhl’s name taking top billing, of course), Sidney has a more sinister solution to their dilemma in mind.

At Sidney’s invitation, the young playwright, Clifford Anderson, arrives at their secluded Connecticut farmhouse, to discuss the manuscript. What ensues is a series of twists and turns, unexpected and shocking events, that keeps the audience guessing as to what will happen next. Throw in a hilarious neighbor, Helga ten Dorp, who just happens to be a noted psychic whose suspicions are spiked by the strange goings-on at the Bruhl’s house, and you have all the ingredients for an entertaining and lively evening.

Under the skillful direction of Jason Harrington, who directed BrightSide’s The Odd Couple last season, the cast turns in a well-paced and skilled performance. Even for those familiar with the plot, as I was, I found myself jumping and gasping at all the right places and thoroughly engaged throughout the evening.

Scott Kelley stars as Bruhl and turns in a convincing performance as the washed-up playwright looking for an easy way out of his writer’s block. Kelley has appeared in numerous other BrightSide productions, including the 2021 Miracle on 34^th Street, and is a veteran actor on the Chicago theatre scene. His hapless and anxiety-ridden wife, Myra, is excellently portrayed by Marianne Embree, who is appearing in her third BrightSide production.

Tyler Szarabajka, who plays the young playwright, Clifford Anderson, is making his professional debut in Deathtrap. He plays the role with just the right amount of cockiness and youthful assurance that makes him a great foil to his uptight, older mentor and hero. And Lisa Braatz absolutely shines as the quirky psychic, Helga ten Dorp, as she makes one outlandish prediction after another as she “senses” the pain and trauma in the room. The cast is rounded out by John Zimmerman as Porter Milgrim, the staid family friend and attorney for the couple, who brings a modicum of somberness to the proceedings – until the final scene!

Adding to the overall experience of the production is the theatre itself. Located on North Central College’s campus, just a few blocks off downtown, this gem of a theatre offers theatregoers an intimate and cozy interaction with the performers. There’s not a bad seat in the house, and you feel as if you are in on the action because of the proximity to the actors.

BrightSide Theatre, under Artistic Director Jeffrey Cass and Executive Director Julie Ann Kornak, is now in its 13^th season. Billed as Naperville’s only professional theatre performing in the historic downtown district, BrightSide has won “Best of Naperville” Live Entertainment Venue for the past six years. Even though I’ve lived in Naperville for years, this was my first introduction to BrightSide Theatre, and I was not disappointed.

For theatre-enthusiasts, or anyone looking for an entertaining night at the theatre, without the fuss and bother of going downtown Chicago, BrightSide’s Deathtrap production will more than satisfy. Add in its location right off the downtown with access to Naperville’s many and varied dining options, and you have the perfect combination for dinner and theatre.

You can catch Deathtrap at North Central’s Theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, now through March 24^th. Ticket information can be found at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).