Concert Tour 1971/Articles

### **‘Superstar’ Rock Opera Set July 30**

The “official, authorized” company of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the rock opera involved in legal turmoil in Detroit six weeks ago, will stage one performance Friday, July 30, at Cobo Hall.

A spokesman for Tascon Productions of Detroit, presenting the show at Cobo in conjunction with WXYZ radio, said Yvonne Elliman, who sang Mary Magdalene in the original recording cast, will be in the touring company.

Also reported in the cast are Shawn Phillips as Jesus Christ, and Carl Anderson as Judas Iscariot.

AN INJUNCTION won by the Robert Stigwood Organization of New York, which holds rights of British composers Anthony Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, blocked a scheduled performance of the work by the American Rock Company at Cobo last May 13.

A last-minute ruling allowed the 27-member Canadian Rock Opera Company, backed by 57 members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, to perform the work as scheduled.

The authorized group totals 53 persons, with orchestra included. The company will tour several American cities before a fall opening on Broadway.

The Tascon spokesman said tickets will go on sale at the Cobo Hall box office next Tuesday. Prices are $6.50, $5.50 and $4.50.

He said the July 30 performance will be complete. The performance in May featured only selections from the full show. Nonetheless, Cobo Hall was a sellout for the May 13 show, and critics praised it highly.

The original Decca recording was made in Britain and has skyrocketed to popularity in the last seven months.

## Lancaster New Era

*July 13th, 1971 - Lancaster, Pennsylvania*

### **Capacity Crowd Jams Pittsburgh Arena for Rock Opera Premiere**

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The actor in the role of Jesus Christ, his arms outstretched, his long blond hair shining in the spotlight, moved to the microphones at the front of the stage and said softly, “I love you all.”

Thus ended the premiere concert tour performance Monday night of the authorized version of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar.” A capacity crowd of 13,640 jammed Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena to witness the play that is to go on Broadway in October.

**Sometimes Irreverent**

The opera is sometimes irreverent, sometimes raucous dramatization of the last days of Jesus Christ.

### **‘Superstar’ Earns Standing Ovation**

#### By Steven Lee, Advocate Review Writer

DAYTON - Last night at Hara Arena, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” was performed.

Those who attended will no doubt agree that “Superstar,” is Super. And that is with a capital S!

The company performing the work is the only official authorized Company.

The rock opera was performed on a large stage, something like a Memorial Hall stage. The 32 piece orchestra which included a rock band, did a tremendous job. The music was loud, in parts, but it was tremendous.

”Jesus Christ Superstar,” is a beautiful musical experience. The words are poetic and immensely enhance the meaning of the opera. The free sounding music combined with the professional singing of the choir and singers captivates the audience and involves everyone.

Playing the role of Jesus was Jeff Fenholt, age 20. Jeff is a native of Columbus, Ohio. Fenholt also performed as Claude in the rock musical, “Hair.”

Carl Anderson played the role of Judas, and he was also very great. As has been said of him, “an incredibly dynamic performer” fits him perfectly.

Yvonne Elliman created the role of Mary. Her performance was highlighted by her hit single, which she also sang on the double LP, “I Don’t Know How To Love Him.” Yvonne was born in Hawaii and is only 19 years old.

In fact, the majority of the cast I would say are between the ages of 18 through 30.

The attire of the cast was extraordinary. It reflected the rebellious attitude, as some would say, but more like the free living attitude of many. Bell bottomed jeans, tank tops, long skirts, long hair, and much more, fit in quite aptly with the cast, music, and the re-creation of the story.

Approximately 10,000 viewed the performance, in the operas two shows last night. And, at “curtain call”, the actors and actresses were given a standing ovation.

And believe me, they deserved it.

I only hope that through W. James Bridges of Dayton and Belkin Productions of Cleveland, that they will book the show for a longer period, in Dayton again.

The cast will be traveling to Cincinnati to perform next, and eventually the show will open at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in October, New York doesn’t know what it’s missing.

”Jesus Christ Superstar,” is really Super!

### **“Superstar”** **Shows Jesus As Human Man**

#### By Scott Herron, Gazette Staff Writer

DAYTON - Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ. Who are you? What did you sacrifice?

He sacrificed his identity as a man, that which he, Mary Magdalene and Judas so desperately tried to believe but couldn’t, and assumed that of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

Christ’s dynamic presence as a man and cosmic awe as superstar is dramatically turned on in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s fantastic rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar,” which played at two performance stand at Hara Arena Wednesday night.

The contemporary story of Jesus’ passion and death headed for the Cincinnati Gardens tonight and for Broadway this October, portrays Christ as something human - a man, just a man. But a man who commands fear and love from one who has had many men, another who betrays him and yet another who sentences him to be crucified.

”I don’t know how to love him, I don’t know why he moved me. He’s a man - he’s just a man,” cry both Mary and Judas

But for different reasons. Magdalene loves him because he is a man, just a man, who has shown compassion toward her. The relationship makes Christ appear more real because there is a hint of mutual sexual attraction.

Judas loves him because he is a man, like himself, yet seems more than a man but refuses to prove it. He’s angered, yet his eyes show love. He’s troubled, yet shows no grief.

And when he stands trial before Pontius Pilate, he’s downcast but doesn’t appear sorry.

”Everything is fixed. You cannot change it.”

”Don’t let me stop your great self-destruction. Die if you want to, you misguided martyr.”

A new revelation to Jesus Christ comes to the stage through the electric cries of Randall’s Island and the poignant whimpers of a man wanting his “fixed” sojourn to end.

”I’m not as sure as when we started…Now I’m sad and tired…Could you ask as much from any other man…Why should I die?”

Webber and Rice do not give the answer to Christ, played by Jeff Fenholt who starred in the production of “Hair” that came to Dayton or to Yvonne Elliman’s Mary Magdalene or to Carl Anderson’s Judas. They are left to answer that themselves, as is the audience.

However, the modern day tragic writers are able to relate Christ to today’s followers through the mind-bending form of their music. The hard rock, near ear-shattering score creates a spectrum in which those who search must find their own conclusions.

Jesus Christ Superstar is not merely an opera of the ‘70’s. It is the rebirth of an art form. It is the theater in the ancient Greek sense

And it is thus possible at the end for all, players, chorus and patrons alike, to sing “Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ. Who are you? What did you sacrifice?”

### **Young** **Stars Still Pondering The Excitement of ‘Superstar’**

Jeff Fenholt bends over while sitting on a stool in a cramped dressing room and lets his shoulder length hair flip forward.

Vigorously he brushes the sandy brown locks back and forth, almost in time to the large orchestra a few yard away that has begun to play the overture to a new and exciting musical work - “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Fenholt plays and sings the role of Christ in the celebrated and brilliant rock opera. Also in the room is Yvonne Elliman, a pretty and exotic mixture of Japanese, French, German, and English who sings the role of Mary Magdalene.

Carl Anderson, who plays Judas, is the third main character with us sitting next to me on a bench and occasionally slapping my hand in a soul handshake whenever I say something he finds funny.

”I’ve been finding out some real nifty things about Judas.” Anderson says, his little cap sitting atop a head with only a modest amount of hair compared to the rest of the cast.

”Judas was a poor little rich kid, you know. His father disowned him. So he went out and joined this cat from-“

”Wasn’t Judas also a member of a killer band, the one led by Barabbas.” Fenholt says, peering through the long brown strands of neatly groomed hair.

”Right,” Anderson replies, “He was a member of a raider tribe.”

While the three young performers appear to be still very much caught up in the newness and growing excitement “Superstar” has generated world-wide, they also looked tired and harassed the night we met on the road in Louisville. The road show - which precedes the one on Broadway that is now being cast - will have been on the road for more than two months by the time is arrives in Miami for the Saturday night Convention Hall performance.

The pace nightly shows and sometimes even two performances a night is starting to tell.

“The two shows are very rough,” Fenholt says, “It’s tough especially tonight when you have just done a show and are down and then have to get right back up for a second show.”

What is it like playing the part of Christ? “Kind of weird sometimes,” Fenholt says seriously, “Usually it’s fun but sometimes it is hard and I have to go off alone and meditate on my part.”

”But tonight we didn’t do that great a show,” Anderson says and the other two quickly agree, “We have a new musical director and we didn’t get it all together tonight. I know my mind was someplace else, although normally I’m really Judas when that overture begins.”

”About the only thing I can compare ‘Superstar’ with is ‘Hair’ and even ‘Hair’ had nowhere near the impact that ‘Superstar’ is enjoying,” Anderson continues.

”I think the impact is greater because the audiences are vaster and that in turn is because mother and father and the kids can all share Superstar. It is the only thing all will will appreciate and they can experience it together. There isn’t anything like that around today. Baseball used to be like that - now we have Superstar.”

Anderson’s reaction to the show?

”It really freaked me out - and I’ve never been much into churches.”

The door opens and the musical director is a lean and intelligent looking young man comes in. He is accompanied by one of the musicians in the orchestra, a rosy cheeked, rotund young man who begs our pardon and asks to see the three principal players alone.

Yvonne, Carl, and Jeff look at each other warily and then say goodbye.

”See you in Miami!”