Cast members in rehearsal ahead of the opening of Jesus Christ Superstar in Kamloops. (Image Credit: Adam Donnelly / CFJC Today)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WCT SPRING MUSICAL

Western Canada Theatre bringing Jesus Christ Superstar to the stage in Kamloops

Mar 26, 2024 | 6:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — Next week, Western Canada Theatre (WCT) will be bringing Jesus Christ Superstar to Kamloops. Rehearsals are well underway, as cast and crew have been preparing for this iteration of the 1970’s rock opera, originally created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

WCT’s Artistic Director, James MacDonald is directing the production, and says it’s filled with familiar songs from the original musical, centered around the storytelling of the last week of Jesus’ life.

“There’s a lot of people who grew up with the music and will recognize it. But really anybody who likes classic rock, I mean it’s a classic rock musical.”

The cast features a full slate of performers with experience from around North America. Michael Cox is performing the role of Jesus, and says part of what drew him in was having a chance to visit British Columbia, and have a part in the famous musical.

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“I’ve been doing theatre all across Canada and this is my first time doing it out in B.C. So when it was Jesus Christ Superstar out near the Rockies, I had to jump at it.”

The show, and its music, has been popular amongst all audiences for decades. Especially if you happen to be a musical theatre fan, or among those who grew up watching Jesus Christ Superstar on VHS.

“I got into theatre and specifically musical theatre by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Les Miserables,” noted Cox, when asked about whether there’s any personal connection to this production.

According to MacDonald, audiences can also expect an interactive element.

“As anybody who has seen our musicals knows I love using the aisles, I love using the audience and I love interacting with the audience,” says MacDonald, “So this has a lot of interaction with the audience to try and kind of make them feel like they’re part of the mob, and part of the followers of Jesus so they can kind of get carried away in that experience.”

Jesus Christ Superstar opens next week in Kamloops, running April 4 until April 20 out of the Sagebrush Theatre.

“It’s a show that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And you can almost never get the rights to do it because there’s usually a tour going on of some sort. So we were super lucky to actually get the rights to do it.”

Acquiring the rights means if you want to hear the songs and catch the show, you’d better grab tickets… and fast.

“You know, every seat in the theatre is a good one, but if you want a really up front experience, then please try to get your tickets before opening,” adds MacDonald.