YOUNG ARTISTS ENSEMBLE PRESENTS

The 34^th ANNUAL TEEN SUMMER MUSICAL

Jesus Christ Superstar

Lyrics by Tim Rice

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Orchestra Directed & Conducted by Susan Treworgy-Calkins

Musical Direction by Zachary Spencer

Choreographed by Rachel Goldman

Directed by Mark Andrew Reyes

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Young Artists Ensemble presents its Teen Summer Musical production of Jesus Christ Superstar directed by Mark Andrew Reyes.  Performances are August 1 – 10, 2014 at the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center located at 2323 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.  Performance times are 7:30 for evening performances with two matinees on Sundays at 2:00. 

            Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera and opened on Broadway in 1971. First produced as an album with the role of Jesus sung by Deep Purple lead singer Ian Gillan, the record spawned two hit songs, the title “Superstar” and “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”  The album had a very rock sound due to both the vocals and the orchestrations.  The lyrics and tone include contemporary terms and ironic allusions to modern life. 

This production looks at the story with a modern eye, taking the lyric that Judas sings, “If you’d come today you could have reached a whole nation…” to heart, presenting the story in a modern setting befitting its rock roots. A charismatic, thoughtful, energetic young leader espousing radical messages of peace and forgiveness appears possessed of incredible charm and a strong faith. The Jesus of this rock opera (played by Jordan Schneider) is seen by his followers as more of a rock idol than a religious leader. However, his personal experience is of a growing frustration as others seem to miss his point: devotion is due to God, not to him. How would Jesus be received today? Would TMZ be camped outside his doorstep, giving us scandals real and imagined?

The production’s setting was inspired by photographs of war torn walls in the Middle East spattered with graffiti.   The message, however, is that while it may often feel that oppression and violence seem to know no border, peace and hope will always find a voice.

            Judas, Annas and some of the Apostles are played by women in this production, continuing the updated concept and supporting the message that women have a strong influence in today’s society as leaders and artists. Judas (played by Meagan Chew), is patterned after the women in the Israeli Defense Forces - as capable of being in the forefront of the action as their male counterparts.

Premium tickets for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR are $21  Orchestra seats are $19 for adults and $17 for children, students and seniors.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 805-381-1246 or at www.yaeonline.com.  There is a 10% discount for groups of ten or more for a single performance. Call (805) 381-2747 or visit www.yaeonline.com if you have any questions. 

Young Artists Ensemble has received many accolades in the past 35 years including the Encore Statue Award from the City of Thousand Oaks for Excellence in the Arts, and Best Innovative Program 2011, Large District from the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts.  Most recently, it received seven top honors and seventeen nominations in the National Youth Arts Awards for the 2013 Teen Summer Musical 42ND STREET, including Best Production, Outstanding Ensemble and Best Direction.

DETAILS FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS

WHAT: A rock opera from the team that brought you Evita and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar takes us back 2000 years to Jesus’ last days. Even the high priest bent on his destruction cannot deny that “Jesus is cool” and his message is resonating with the people of Jerusalem. But Jesus and his followers can’t stop the rising tide of political turmoil that threatens his very life.

WHEN:

Performances: August 1-10, 2014
Friday, August 1                     7:30pm           

Saturday, August 2                 7:30pm           

Sunday, August 3                   2:00pm           

Wednesday, August 6            7:30pm           

Thursday, August 7                7:30pm           

Friday, August 8                     7:30pm           

Saturday, August 9                 7:30pm           

Sunday, August 10                 2:00pm           

WHERE:  

Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center

2323 North Moorpark Road

Thousand Oaks, CA

HOW:  (805) 381-1246 or www.yaeonline.com

TICKETS: Premium Reserved $21.  Orchestra: Adults $19, Children, Students and Seniors $17. Groups of ten or more receive a discount of 10% if purchased in a single transaction.

OTHER:  Free parking is always available. Accessible seating available by calling (805) 381-1246.