?Jesus Christ Superstar? playing at Sondheim

Way Off Broadway is bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber?s ?Jesus Christ Superstar? to Fairfield on June 24-July 3.

First staged on Broadway in 1971, ?Jesus Christ Superstar? highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus. The opera is based very loosely on the gospel?s account of the last week of Jesus? life.

The cast is lead by Brian Watson, who portrays Jesus. Watson brings with him a substantial background in both traditional and musical theater from the San Francisco Bay area. A sought after tenor, he brings a full package of performance skills and passion to the role of Jesus.

Scott Woodard returns to Fairfield to play Judas after playing Chip the Boy Scout in Way Off Broadway?s ?Spelling Bee? last fall. Woodard has played Joseph in ?Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat? multiple times as well as leads in ?Rent,? ?Curtains,? ?Altar Boyz? and ?Evita.?

Florida talent Miranda Lawson will be Mary. Lawson also performed in ?Spelling Bee? as Olive for Way Off Broadway, and before that she performed in the company?s production of ?Hair.? She just played the role of Pippi in ?The Great American Trailer Park Musical? and before that portrayed Motormouth Mabel in ?Hairspray,? both in Florida.

Stephen Swanson, professor of voice at the University of Iowa and well known opera baritone, returns to sing the role of Pontius Pilate.

In addition, familiar Way Off Broadway faces Margaret Clair and Jeff Carty, both of Fairfield, will sing the priest roles of Annis and Caiaphas. The rest of the cast will be filled by members of the summer intern program and local performers.

The rock opera will be directed by Randal West; choreographed by Adam Cates, who has just finished work on ?Anything Goes? on Broadway, which has received nine Tony nominations; and musically directed by Justin Hill.