COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL October 7, 2015
'Superstar' rocks with the power of its tunes
Cottage Grove Community
Medical Center Auxiliary
TRUNK SALE
A host of fi ne musical
performances provides an
auditory feast for CT
audiences
Bohemia Park ~ 10th & Washington
Saturday, October 10th 9am-2pm
•Prices will be marked at each trunk
•Come join in the fun
•An outdoor sale
BY JON STINNETT
The Cottage Grove Sentinel
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S
everal days later, a handful of unfor-
gettable tunes still refuses to let go.
It’s been several years since my last view-
ing of the fi lm version of “Jesus Christ Su-
perstar,” a movie that appeared on the tele-
vision screen at my childhood home more
than I’d cared to remember. So it’s probably
not surprising that, a few minutes into the
Cottage Theatre’s production of the rock
opera on Friday’s opening night, the memo-
rable hooks of the tunes penned by legends
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber had
again lodged themselves deep in my brain,
where they remain even as I write this. (I
can only imagine that many among a week-
end’s worth of theater-goers are having the
same experience.)
Set in the fi nal hours in the life of Jesus,
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is loosely based on
the Gospel accounts of his last days, begin-
ning with a warning from the apostle Judas
about the growing infl uence of Jesus’ fol-
lowers and ending with his crucifi xion.
There is much to say about the perfor-
mances and staging of the Cottage Theatre
version of this classic, which features a large
community ensemble and a stage set unlike
anything the theatre has attempted before
(a sparse set featuring scaffolding that took
the theatre to “new heights (quite literally),”
according to CT Executive Director Susan
photo by Matt Emrich
Mary Magdalene (Autumn Carter)
comforts Jesus (Kory Weimer)
while Judas (Melissa Miller) looks
on disapprovingly.
Goes).
Still, the fi nest aspects of the local version
of “Jesus Christ Superstar” worked to aug-
ment and convey the power of its music, and
there was much to enjoy from the singers
and musicians that made it possible.
Particularly powerful were the perfor-
mances and emotion of Melissa Miller, who
brought an earnest angst to the role of Judas
and started the play off right with a strong
rendition of “Heaven on their Minds.”
The ensemble joins in for the fi rst time
for an upbeat “What’s the Buzz,” and credit
should be given for casting that brought a di-
verse and multi-talented group to the stage.
Autumn Carter next offers a soothing bit of
soul as Mary Magdalene with “Everything’s
Alright.” High priests Annas (played by
Nick Forrest) and Caiaphas (Gabriel Wolfe)
debate how to handle the Jesus question in
“This Jesus Must Die,” in the process navi-
gating the tune’s challenging melodies and
range and adding a believable sneer to their
respective characters. Pontius Pilate, played
by Ward Fairbairn, showcases some of the
musical’s best vocal performances.
And of course there is Jesus, played with
stoic power by CT veteran Kory Weimer,
who wisely allows the mounting emotion
and action to unfold onstage around him.
Dressed in white and sporting a nineties-
style “No Fear” shirt (Jesus Grunge Super-
star?), Weimer’s wide eyes tell the tale of the
fascination and adulation that Jesus Christ
fosters on earth, and he seems to resist the
urge to snatch center stage and attempt to
out-belt the singers around him.
A fi ve-person band of Keri Davis on pi-
ano, Chris King on electric keyboard, Mi-
chael Anderson on guitar, Noah Ferguson
on bass and Jim Reinking on drums put the
rock in rock opera, and the band showcased
a fl awless, emotive performance of nonstop
rock that would have been enjoyable alone.
Regrettably, sound issues proved the only
major fl aw in Friday night’s performance,
as many of the countless microphones on-
stage were at times scratchy and nearly in-
audible, and at times frightfully loud. It’s an
understandable issue to confront in such a
complex musical production, and it’s one
that was no doubt addressed before future
performances.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” runs for three
more weekends in October (including
Thursday-evening performances and a Sun-
day matinee.) Those who attend are sure
to carry the play’s impossibly catchy tunes
home with them.
Automobile is generously provided by Brad’s Cottage Grove Chevrolet
$2.00 EACH OR 6 FOR $10.00
(only 6,000 tickets to be sold)
Discount Smokes &
Cigarettes
Save on everything
you need to care
for your lawn and
garden this fall.
Purchase Tickets at
Brad’s Cottage Grove Chevrolet,
Cottage Grove Sentinel or
call Scott at 541-337-9486
Th e drawing will be held on 1/12/2016
at the American Legion Post
826 W. Main, Cottage Grove, OR
• Glass Pipes/Water Pipes
• 5% off All Glassware
(No Accessories) w/coupon
• Cigarettes • Cigars
• Emerald E-Cigarettes
• Emerald E-Juice
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AUCTION
WELLNESS BOOTHS
TO VISIT
SATURDAY - OCTOBER 24
11AM-3PM
HEALTH SCREENING
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services into advertising dollars
COTTAGE GROVE
Listeners receive great products &
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HEALTH
& WELLNESS
FAIR
Call KNND 541-942-2468
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“BUILDING A HEALTHY
COMMUNITY”
A percent of the proceeds to benefi t South Lane Dental Clinic
HEALTH & WELLNESS
SPEAKERS & DEMON-
STRATIONS
DOOR PRIZES & GIVE
AWAYS
OCTOBER 19TH 2015
FROM 4PM TO 8PM
AT THE
COTTAGE GROVE
BIBLE CHURCH
1200 East Quincy
Cottage Grove
The Alligator Auction promises
fun and great deals for
businesses and listeners
CRAFTSMAN
Club Saver
DAYS
Bring a non-perishable food item to
the event for the Community Sharing
Program and receive an extra ticket
for the many great door prizes!
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day of the event and receive an extra
ticket for the many great door prizes!
(must have proof of fl u shot)
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