Jesus Christ Superstar production in Millbrook

By WERNER BERGEN

Jesus Christ Superstar will be presented by The King Street Players late this month and in early April.

It will star David Ludwig, Beau Dixon and Wendy Shaer.

Superstar is the first collaboration between Rice and Webber to be performed on the professional stage, featuring such songs as Superstar, Everything's Alright and I Don't Know How to Love Him. It earned five Tony Award nominations, states a press release.

Set in two acts, Superstar tells the story of the final seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. It dramatizes Jesus' entry in Jerusalem, the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pontius Pilate, and his crucifixion.

The King Street Centre features stained glass windows that visually tell the story of the life of Jesus. The concert hall has 35-foot cathedral ceilings and large stage.

"To stay true to the original spirit of the "Rock Opera" we are using The Power Connection, Ontario's premier Rock Horn Band (12 piece) to provide the music for the production," states Shaer.

David Ludwig will perform the role of Jesus. He made his Canadian debut into musical theatre 13 years ago when he appeared in Lindsay, as Henry Higgins at the Kawartha Summer Theatre. He was classically trained and holds a masters degree in music from Indiana University. Originally from Grosse Pointe, Mich., Ludwig began his career in opera both in Detroit and while living in New York City. Since his arrival in Canada, he has traveled from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa to the Ford Theatre in Vancouver as well as numerous venues in between.

He was a member of the Stratford Festival company, the Canadian National Tour of Phantom of the Opera and the U.S. National Tour of Titanic, the Musical. Other credits include Jud Fry in Oklahoma, Emile de Beque in South Pacific, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Fred Graham in Kiss Me Kate, and Billy Bigelow in Carousel.

He can be seen this winter on the Discovery Channel, and his short film, Lobotomobile will be entered into the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

Peterborough's Beau Dixon plays the role of Judas.

Dixon is a musician, singer, songwriter, producer,actor, director and playwright.

Dixon has shared the stage with a wide range of artists, from Raffi to Eric Burden, Prairie Oyster and Willie P. Bennett to The New Deal and Feist.

Two of Dixon's plays "Once A Flame" and "From Here to Africville" were recently staged by C Theatre Works at Factory Theatre in Toronto.

He is also a veteran of 4th Line Theatre and Heritage Pavillion.

Wendy Shaer plays Mary Magdalene.

Shaer was born and raised in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. She made her first professional singing debut on stage with Celine Dion and her family.

She regularly performs as one of the lead vocalists with The Power Connection a 12-piece rock horn band and has also fronted various big bands in the area.

Shaer started her theatre experience with the Westben Theatre in Campbellford performing in their productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, the Sound of Music and Samson.

She directed the King Street Players productions of The Sound of Music (also playing the Mother Superior) and Annie.

As co-owner of the King Street Centre in Millbrook she has been involved in all production aspects of the Arts Council's productions.

The Power Connection was formed in the spring of 2002 by band leader Dan Shaer. Shaer's list of musical accomplishments includes touring North America and Europe as a professional musician and bandleader throughout the 1970s and '80s, and working as a professional studio musician and musical arranger. He is the founder and conductor of the Music of Your Life Orchestra and has two degrees in music from Queen's University in Kingston.

The Power Connection is the culmination of more than 10 years of efforts to acquire the original musical arrangements as performed by the original groups, specializing in the sounds of; Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and Lighthouse.

Musical facts:

n What: Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

- Who: Presented by The Millbrook Valley Council for the Arts and The King Street Players.

- Where: The King Street Centre, 40 King St. W., Millbrook.

- When: March 28 and 29 at 8 p.m., March 30 at 2 p.m.; April 4 and 5 at 8 p.m., April 6 at 2 p.m.

- Tickets: Available through www.ticketweb.ca, Titles Bookstore, 379 George St. N., Peterborough, Bear Essentials and The King Street Centre (Millbrook); Northumberland Chiropractic (Port Hope) or contact Dan Shaer at dan@shaerproductions.com or 705-932-7469 or 1-866-710-5464. Web Site: www.millbrookarts.ca