Theatre production company JCS Entertainment Ltd. (JCS Ent) returns with two a back-to-back ‘Spectacular September’ of musicals, featuring fully-staged and costumed performances of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and Tom Stolz’s Mahalia: A Gospel Musical.
These two encore performances are scheduled to hit the stage at the Queen’s Hall Auditorium, starting with Mahalia: A Gospel Musical opening from Friday 9th to Sunday 18th September and with Jesus Christ Superstar opening from Friday 23rd September to Sunday 2nd October 2016.
The double-musical concept is a new one in Trinidad and Tobago and is the brainchild of JCS Ent’s Creative Producer John Henry Smith III, who has been the guiding hand behind some of the largest musical productions in T&T over the past four (4) years including ‘The Sound of Music‘ (2012), ‘The King and I‘ (2013), ‘Encore – Live From Broadway’ (2013), ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (2014), ‘Mahalia: A Gospel Musical‘ (2015) and The Altar Boyz (2016).
“These are two of the most spectacular musicals ever seen in Trinidad and Tobago,” enthused Smith last weekend at a cast rehearsal in the YMCA of Trinidad and Tobago facility located off Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
“These two musicals are a really good fit for local audiences because the music is familiar and contemporary, and our cast has proven its ability to wow local audiences.”
Smith then went on to highlight that the 2015 JCS Ent-produced Mahalia: A Gospel Musical production currently holds the record for the longest running Broadway musical locally. Jesus Christ Superstar is on the list of the longest running musicals in the world.
Related: Review – Since I Attended ‘Mahalia- A Gospel Musical’ I Haven’t Stopped Singing Its Praises
In this year’s JCS Ent branded ‘Spectacular September’ month, Smith along with his production team have scheduled shows at various time options and at multiple ticket prices to cater to every availability and budget.
For the nine shows of Mahalia: A Gospel Musical, there will be only two Sunday matinee shows (11th and 18th) which will begin at 6 p.m. Patrons will also have the option of three weekday shows (13th, 14th, 15th) to indulge in a ‘Tea and Musicals’ special afternoon matinee from 2 p.m. There will be two Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. (9th – 10th and 16th and 17th).
For the six shows of Jesus Christ Superstar, there will be only two Sunday matinee shows (25th September and 2nd October) at 6 p.m. and two Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. (23rd – 24th and 30th – 1st October).
Overall there will be six school shows for students and young people at a special price during the month.
Special advance $150 tickets for each musical (a 25% discount off the full priced adult ticket of $200.00) are available for purchase on or before August 31, 2016 and only at any Branch of Scotia Bank. For purchasing instructions, contact jcsentertains.tt@gmail.com (Subject: “Advance Tickets”) or call 488-2330 or 620-2244 for more details on the ‘September Spectacular’ shows.
Also available will be special ticket prices for Senior Citizens (60 Years and over) and Junior Citizens (18 Years and under or full time student at an educational institution and holding a Student Identification Badge) at $125.00. A Special Seat Reservation service is available only on tickets purchased at the Queen’s Hall Box Office at an additional cost of $50.
About Jesus Christ Superstar
Holy Rock and Roll!
The 1970 Jesus Christ Superstar rock and roll musical tells the story of the last seven days of Jesus Christ’s life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The musical features Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, the High Priests, the Apostle Peter and the rest of the disciples as they play their parts in ushering this superstar to his destiny of becoming saviour of the world. The music plays with several modern Rock music themes and includes contemporary slang. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this musical borrows from the Gospels of the Bible; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The Cast
Devin Harrypaul will reprise the role of Jesus of Nazareth, which will be his third time portraying the role on stage locally. The rest of the main cast includes Kearn Samuel once more in the role of Judas Iscariot, Conrad Paris as the commanding High Priest Caiaphas with Kyle Richardson as the conspirator Annas at his side. Mary Magdalene will be shared by three actresses; newcomer Arianna Rodas Laing, musical theatre graduate Shannon Navarro and stage starlet Nicole Wong Chong.
Mahalia: A Gospel Musical
The Gospel Queen of the World!
This musical tells the origin story of the first African American artiste to take Gospel music from the small churches of the south to the mainstream airwaves. Mahalia: A Gospel Musical is set in the U.S. historical period of segregation and the civil rights struggle. At the highest point of her career, Mahalia Jackson’s brand of Gospel was Queen of Carnegie Hall, public television and public radio. The story shows the span of Jackson’s life from the segregated south of New Orleans to the freedom march on Washington alongside Martin Luther King. With book, lyrics and music by Tom Stolz, the musical features both an inspirational story along with powerful vocal performances of Mahalia Jackson’s greatest hit songs.
The Cast
Llettesha Sylvester will return to play the lead role of Mahalia Jackson, along with understudy and musical theatre student Nataki Lendor. In the rest of the cast, the role of Young Mahalia will be shared by Jasmine Adams and Arielle Cowie, with Paula Hamilton and Abeo Jackson reprising their shared role of piano accompanist, Mildred Falls. Kearn Samuel takes up the triple roles of Reverend Lawrence, Mahalia’s slick-talking manager Dorsey and organist Blind Francis.
The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network 