Jesus Christ Superstar: Living The Part

by Amy Shojai | Jun 1, 2017 | Uncategorized | 5 comments

Many of my readers know about my passion for plays and theater and music. So when the opportunity came to be involved in a rock opera, I had to audition for the chance to sing in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice masterpiece, Jesus Christ Superstar.

L-R: Amanda Pillow, Heidi Scheibmeir and Amy Shojai reunited in the Finley dressing room. Last fall, we acted and sang together as an evil trinity in Little Mermaid–and now, the sinners have reformed!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR CAST IS FAMILY

Besides, it’s just plain fun to meet new people, and reconnect with friends from previous productions. Working so closely together builds unique ties and relationships that are treasured long after the curtain goes down. Yep, many of us work full time jobs, and then spend long hours late into the night rehearsing, perfecting, and gnashing virtual teeth to make things right.

Why? Because we love it. Theater is my brain candy, and a part of who I am. I got hooked at six years old, and never looked back.

Another dressing room picture with a new theater friend, Cynthia Brandt, brilliantly playing “Queen Herod.” Hey, I told you it’s a novelization!

MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS

I was honored to be offered a role in the Superstar company, and play multiple parts (as do several of my colleagues). We love singing the challenging music–this is a ROCK OPERA, for goodness sakes!–and the emotional content of this novelization of biblical history is joyful, thought provoking, heart-rending, and uplifting by turns.

Being “Mary, mother of Jesus.”

The production boasts more than 50 individuals serving as actors, singers, orchestra members, and technical crew perfecting lights, sound, costumes, choreography and more, all from the North Texas area. Some are veteran performers, and for others, Jesus Christ Superstar is their first production. The audience, though, won’t be able to tell the difference–yes, the entire cast is that good!

Amanda Pillow (Mary Magdalene) with Grant Bower (Jesus), and Amy (Mother Mary) singing from balcony. Note: The role of Magdalene is shared with Teresa Natera, not pictured.

What can you expect? A joyful explosion of color, movement and song, gorgeous set and costumes, creative props, and an energetic outpouring from the cast and crew. We LIVE these parts…and after all, everyone knows how the story ends. The emotion is very real–and we couldn’t do this without each other.

Jesus Christ Superstar is our gift to you, the audience. And I feel blessed to be a part of this, and believe my fellow cast members feel the same.

Historically, audience members hail from the Dallas metroplex into North Texas and southern Oklahoma and beyond to attend Sherman Community Players productions mounted at the history Finley Theater in Sherman, Texas. Although performances are scheduled every Thurs-Sunday throughout June, the 200+-seat house often sells out. Tickets and details are available here–get your reservation asap!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!

5 Comments

Chiara O on November 19, 2017 at 8:56 pm

I am so thrilled that someone had the good sense to add the Blessed Virgin Mary to Jesus Christ Superstar! I’m interested, did your character have an active or more passive role in the show? Were you at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion scene? Also, was “Could We Start Again Please” your character’s main song? If so, what character sang it along with you (in some productions it’s Peter, others it’s Judas). I always wanted John the Apostle to sing the other half of that song. Anyway, may God reward you for playing Our Lady and I hope that more productions will add her into the play.
Reply
- Amy Shojai on November 20, 2017 at 8:15 am
  
  Hi Chiara, I was thrilled and honored to play the role. I was onstage alongside Magdalene in pretty much the whole show, and sang part of “Everything’s All Right” chorus as a solo, and also a verse of “Could We Start Again, Please” along with Magdalene and Peter. The most difficult part was — yes — at the foot of the cross. Oh my goodness, such an emotional scene (off stage afterwards, the three of us actors (myself, Magdalene and Jesus) just clung together sobbing until we could get ourselves back together. Thanks so much for visiting the blog and commenting. I agree, adding Jesus’s Mother to the show added another wonderful level.
  Reply
Cathy Keisha on June 2, 2017 at 9:33 pm

I hope they’ll be snippets of the play on YouTube. The production sounds pawsome.
Reply
patriciasands on June 1, 2017 at 12:06 pm

Brava, Amy!
Reply
- Amy Shojai on June 1, 2017 at 5:17 pm
  
  Thank you so much!
  Reply

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