Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar

Four decades after the show debuted on Broadway, beloved rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar is still going strong, a mainstay for stages of all sizes across the country. However, sometimes even a modern favorite like the musical documenting the final days of Jesus Christ can use an update to keep things fresh. The Erie Playhouse will be giving Jesus Christ Superstar a more contemporary touch this June when the show continues its run which started June 5.

"A lot of people have the misconception that it's tied to that '70s era and that it's 'flower child-like,' but the instrumentation and characterization of our production is very modern," says Jess Flock, who plays Mary Magdalene in the show Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created in the early '70s. "It's got a very modern rock feel to it, much more than what a lot of people think it's capable of having."

In addition to Flock, Jesus Christ Superstar boasts a talented cast that includes Andrew Dolan as Jesus, Adam Fladd as Judas Iscariot, and plenty of other notable local thespians looking to add plenty of rock to a story with plenty of soul that should appeal to people who are active in the religious community as well as those who are not.

"This show is really cool because it focuses on the humanity of Christ as opposed to the divinity," Flock says. "If you're coming to the audience with a very faith-heavy background, you'll absolutely respond to the treatment of Christ, but even if you're coming from a secular approach, his human story is so interesting."

Jesus Christ Superstar has been entertaining people for the past 43 years, but now it's time for an update of the rock opera hit where Erieites can meet the new show, which still has the heart and soul of the old one. — Alex Bieler

7:30 p.m. June 11-14, 19-21, 26-28 and 2 p.m. June 15, 22 // 13 W. 10 St. // erieplayhouse.org