TALLINN - Like some kind of theatrical migratory bird, legendary British lyricist Sir Tim Rice and a major production of one of his musicals have started to reappear in Tartu every June.
In 2002 "Evita" was the event of the season. Last summer it was "Aida." This year a lavish rendition of his famous 1970s rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" is set to make converts of southern Estonian audiences when it rocks the Vanemuine Theater's outdoor stage June 11 - 20.
The musical, which Rice co-wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber, chronicles the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of an increasingly skeptical Judas Iscariot. It was a risky concept and understandably controversial when it debuted on Broadway in 1971, but it quickly became a hit, running for hundreds of performances and then taking London's West End by storm. It was adapted into film in 1973.
For Estonian theater-goers, long familiar with the music thanks to its availability on vinyl, the draw will be finally seeing the full production on stage, and according to Tambet Kaugema, PR manager for the Vanemuine Theater, producers are pulling out all the stops to make this a show to remember.
"All forces are involved in this performance," said Kaugema. For this rare type of megaproduction, the Vanemuine Theater's entire arsenal of talent will come into play, including its full symphony orchestra, rock band, choir, ballet dancers and solo singers - more than 100 performers in all.
Even more notable are the big names, both from Estonia and abroad, which are involved in the show. The musical's director is none other than Georg Malvius, the Swede whose other productions in Estonia have included "Oliver," "Miss Saigon" and "Cabaret."
For the lead role, experienced Norwegian Jesus Stephan Hansen has been brought in. In press photos he looks a bit too happy and Scandinavian for the part, but Hansen has actually played Jesus in more than 450 productions of JCS. For him, being martyred eight more times in Tartu should be like falling off a log.
More familiar to audiences will be the Estonian stars involved. Vaiko Eplik, the lead singer of Estonia's failed Eurovision band Ruffus, plays Judas (read into it any irony you want), and Liisi Koikson plays Mary Magdalene - quite a reversal from her recent role as good-girl Sandy in "Grease."
The performance will be in English, with Estonian titles.
Tickets should still be available during the week of the show. In Tartu, they can be bought directly at the Vanemuine Theater's box office, and range from 125 kroons (8 euros) to 295 kroons. They will also be on sale throughout Estonia via Piletilevi or Piletipunkt agencies at the same price. All shows begin at 9:30pm.
Jesus Christ Superstar
June 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20
Vanemuine Theater
Summer Stage
6 Vanemuise, Tartu
Tel. 7 440 165
