Thoughts and Ramblings on Gethsemane and Christ

Every character in every show has that "make or break" number they sing in musical theatre or opera: "Largo al Factotum" for Figaro, "Music of the Night" for the Phantom, and “Modern Major General" for MG Stanley. Each of these presents a unique challenge in every regard. Some are comic, some serious, some romantic. The interesting challenge with Gethsemane is that it is a piece that is so rooted in the stages of grief. It truly cycles through all of them, and obviously begrudgingly/triumphantly ends in the acceptance of fate.

Going through the process of identifying the character of Christ really has been about identifying the kind of MAN he is as he goes through the musical journey of Gethsemane. It is a great opportunity (and a rare one) when we see a character so completely stripped of all layers and baring the soul before the audience. We have the chance to see and explore what the MAN is truly made of. Of course, it isn't the only piece Jesus is in during the show, but this is the moment when we find him ALONE and most vulnerable. In my opinion, even more so than the moments leading to his death. It is Christ at his most human.

Demonstrating this is a challenge. It is the reason I accepted the role. Something to keep me working, but something of a different stripe. It is an emotionally taxing piece, even more so than vocally regardless that this is a far cry from "my style" of singing. How do I demonstrate the humanity of this character, this legendary god figure, this man who strives to be more than a man - not for HIS sake, but for others?

It is a beautiful piece filled with emotion. And even though I've been working through it for the short time I have been, I already feel more connected to the character, the legend, the mythos of Christ that I have ever before. But I feel the connection more because I see him in the context of Gethsemane: a man - fearful, alone, unsure, anxious, angry, sad... ultimately willing to take it upon himself to pay the ultimate price.

Now, my mission is to let the audience see what I have glimpsed at. Thought I go through this same process with every role I take upon myself, this one will mean something quite different.

I hope to show our audience something unexpected.

JMJ

Easing the Burden

Every show I, or one of my immediate family members participates takes a little bit from me. By that I mean, as artists, when you do a show, whether your part is big or small, direct or peripheral it takes something out of you. Time, money, sleep, and the company of your family and friends are just a few examples of things we give up to do a show. 

That sounds like a huge sacrifice so why do we do it? A couple of reasons. When a fire burns inside you to do a show because you feel so strongly about it anything you sacrifice is worth it. For me, the second reason, the bigger reason, is I get to collaborate with truly amazing and talented people. My directing experience is not very long yet and I'm still growing into the kind of director I hope to eventually be. I know, without a doubt, my limitations on talent. It is for this reason I put together a directing team for this show: to share the burden of work, and to enhance the production through other artistic eyes. 

I look at the work Susanna Terry and Autumn Robinson are doing and I'm filled with gratitude that they chose to sacrifice their time (and sleep!) for my project. I have the support of Shane Brown and Jud Harmon in making technical magic on the stage through sets, lights and special effects. I have Ryan Terry who has spent countless hours with the performance software adjusting it to fit our production and getting the best sound possible out of the pre-recorded tracks. (A live band simply would not fit on the stage so a recording was our only option). I have an assistant director, Tom Crozier, who all I have to do is give instructions on a big project like a slide show or programs and he will run with it and take so much of the work of this production off my back. I have a Mykell Walton, my costume lady, whose vision and creativity is lining up perfectly with my concept for this show. I have two sharp sound technicians, TJ Toynbee and Kevin Markkola, who come to every rehearsal so they can be as familiar as possible with the show. I have a large, dedicated cast who works tirelessly on choreography, music and character both in rehearsal and at home on their own time. All of these elements put together creates the show. 

It's like the old saying "it takes a village to raise a child."  It takes so much more than a director to put a show together. It takes a very special group of people, each working in their own area of talent and expertise to bring a production of this magnitude to the stage. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who is giving their precious time and talents to bring Jesus Christ Superstar to the Magic Valley. 

If you’re excited to see this show you can purchase your reserved seats right now online. The website is www.orpheum.ovationpac.com.  Online ticket sales do have a small convenience fee. We are very excited to present this show in a little over three weeks. We hope to see you at the theatre.

The Cast's Favorite Songs

The cast’s favorite songs from the show. Since I shared my favorite song and why with you all I thought you might enjoy hearing from some of my cast members. So I asked them what their favorite song was and why. Here are their responses:

Ashley White (Chorus/Leper) – Herod’s Song because the song and the dance are hella rad.

Bekah Merrick (Apostle/Chorus) – Blood Money because it’s constantly stuck in my head even though the only words I know in it are “I don’t want your blood money”.

Brandon Scott Tesch (Herod) – Herod’s Song. It’s just ever so lovely.

Quinn Fillmore (Simon Zealot) – Blood Money. It’s just too catchy and I love the feel of it.

Johanna Stagge (Mary Magdalene) – Gethsemane. Always. When I first heard Gethsemane I was a teenager and, at first, the lyrics seemed wrong. I always though Jesus was up to the task. Why would he beg to be spared? He’s pleading. Begging. With everything he is. Defeated. Because he’s human.

Jared Johnson (Jesus) – Gethsemane

Brianna Larson (Chorus/Reporter) – Can We Start Again Please, because of the interaction with Mary and all the children, and the music is pretty.

Kat Powell (Priestess/Chorus) – I agree with Johanna, and the song (Gethsemane) just brings me to tears. But then there is the pompus Herod who challenges Jesus in Herod’s Song. The tune is lighthearted and upbeat so juxtaposed to the situation at hand.

Todd Carpenter (Apostle) – I 100% have to say “Heaven on Their Minds.” I think the vocals in that song are amazing. Judas’ songs and Mary’s songs rock completely but the first song of the play
Rocks the hardest.

What’s YOUR favorite song from the show?

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Heaven on Their Minds

I may have mentioned before that what I love about musicals is the addition of an emotional connection through powerful music. In preparing for this musical I am constantly changing what my favorite song is. I vacillate pretty consistently between "Heaven on their Minds" and "Everything's All Right". I am also quite partial to "Pilate's Dream."

Heaven on their minds is one of my favorites because I think it vocalizes the real concern with the movement Jesus is leading into Jerusalem. The crowd is getting bigger and louder and the setting is not entirely open to change. While the bulk of the followers are on board to press forward there are a handful of them that have fear, doubts. Not fear of change, more fear of authority and consequences.

In this song Judas vocalizes his concerns. He's taken this journey with Jesus, been "his right hand man all the while" but he sees that the followers are "blind" and driving forward at a pace that is dangerous for the movement to survive. What exactly is that movement? We are developing that as we go. Solidifying what changes Jesus was advocating. The changes that Judas feared and the Priests and Priestesses are determined to destroy.

Unfortunately this situation is not unique to the story being told here. There have been many times in the history of man that a movement, a crying out for change, has scared authorities or people in power. Subsequently the leaders of such movements are eliminated as we see in this story. Not always does it come to a brutal death but certainly there is a strong resistance to the change. If there aren't enough voices and strength to survive opposition the movement either dies or suffers set backs. We can see this in civil rights movements, in countries trying to gain independence from a group holding power, and in class warfare between the haves and the have not's. It's documented over and over again in history.

I believe that human beings have the power to change that. I believe we hold within us the absolute power to achieve peace. I believe we, as a civilization, make a conscious choice to not accept others. I believe we can all do better.

A "Doubting Thomas" blog

I once got hypnotized at a state fair. While I was hypnotized on stage I was given commands and I just reacted to them. I had no thought of what to do or think: just reacted. That is my main focus while preparing my character for this part. I don't want to over think my character. I want to feel what my character wants and wants to become.

My character is Thomas Dubbio (dubbio means doubting in Italian). He’s a small town guy from Nebraska. He played as a defensive back for his high school and college football teams. Then talent scouts recruited him to try out for the New York Jets. After signing on with the team he meets Judas, who is in New York spreading Christ's message and converts him to "Christianity". He becomes close friends with Judas and admires him. And takes his betrayal very hard. But all in all Thomas knows he is devoted to Christ and decides to follow Jesus.


While making decisions I am going 100% with my gut. First thing that pops into my head I run with. I feel that it is helping me be more natural. Even if my character is known for doubting.

Todd Carpenter - "Thomas"