Jesus Christ Superstar at the Queen Elizabeth Theater November 15-20

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jesus christ superstar

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when: November 15-20

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Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street, Vancouver

tickets: From $47 at ticketmaster.ca

Since its Broadway debut 51 years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar has gone through many iterations and revivals. The difference in the version coming to Vancouver is the emphasis on dance.

The character known as Mob Leader embodies the show’s emotions through precise and dynamic movements throughout the production. Caroline Perry acts and dances part of the tour production.

“When I was talking to choreographer Drew McConney, he said I was turning the pages of a story,” said Perry, a dancer from Dayton, Ohio.

“I’m basically the narrator. Not only is it told through song, but it’s also dance-heavy and movement-focused, giving rise to this new vision and new ideas of how the story should move.”

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McConney was nominated for an Olivier Award for his choreography of the 2016 Regent’s Park Open Air Theater version directed by Timothy Shedder of Regent’s Park. Landing in Vancouver via Broadway across Canada, the production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

The story of what happened in Christ’s last days is seen through the eyes of his traitor, Judas. The story is told through songs written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Many of these, including Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane, and Superstar, have invaded mainstream popular culture.

Elvie Ellis, who plays Judas, grew up singing bass in her high school choir. As such, he was surprised to be given the role, which he calls “one of the most difficult tenor roles in his canon of musical theater.” He is arguably one of the most famous tenor roles. I never thought I would have the vocal chops to do it. But here we are.

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The lack of dialogue makes him more fun to perform, says the entertainer who grew up in Oklahoma City.

“A musical has three main parts: singing, acting and dancing. I feel like I’m going to be able to act more freely.

“I feel like a fish out of water when I’m on a show where I have to speak only my lines. It goes on, so I guess that’s my own personal issue. But I really like being able to sing the whole show.”

A trained dancer, Perry found the emotional aspects of her first large-scale production to be the most difficult.

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“I realize before every show I need to take some time to dig deep and bring out these emotions. It seems that the leader of the mob was created just to tell the story of the anguish he experiences in his last day on Earth. It’s worth it.”

And she understands why McConney’s work has been so well received.

“He’s so great,” Perry said of the choreographer. It all leads to this one work of art.”