This year, Lyric Opera has broken with its mission of presenting a classic
of American musical theater as a sort of postseason cream puff. But never
mind that: this spring’s British-born offering, Jesus Christ
Superstar, has more in common with the usual opera repertoire
than most Broadway musicals: it takes on a culturally resonant epic tale,
explores the deepest passions on a grand scale, and is sung straight
through.
The set consists of a ramp and a pair of two-story, open-box structures,
one of which houses a six-piece rhythm section made up of these great
Chicago musicians: guitarists Steve Roberts and Kraig McCreary, bassist
Chuck Webb, percussionist Bob Rummage, and Jo Ann Daugherty and Peter
Benson on keyboards. There’s a lot of atmospheric smoke and sweeping
spotlights, and 90 pounds of glittering confetti are dumped at every
performance.
Through 5/20: Wed 1:30 PM, Thu 1:30 and 7 PM, Fri 7 PM, Sat 1:30 and 7 PM, Sun 1:30 PM, Tue 7 PM; no performances Tue 5/1 or Thu 5/3, 1:30 PM, Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker, 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org, $44-$219.
