"Jesus Christ Super Star" is BACK in Murfreesboro

Mar 05, 2014 at 08:52 am by bryan


Last year’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar, one of the largest-grossing shows staged by The Center for the Arts in 2013, returns this Easter weekend with its principal cast and crew for a limited four-day run.

The musical, again directed by stage veteran Renee Robinson and with MTSU student John David Welch returning in the title role, is set for five shows April 17-20 at a new venue: Murfreesboro’s Central Magnet School Auditorium, 701 E. Main St.

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Jeff Clark, who serves as executive producer, is at the helm of Superstar’s return. The project is affiliated with The Center for the Arts, which is lending artistic and back-office support. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Center.

“The new venue is a familiar setting for so many Murfreesboro folks,” said Clark, a professor of computer information systems at MTSU, said of Central Magnet. “It evokes wonderful memories of great performances and personal triumphs.

“We think it’s a great place to plant a new tradition.”

Evening performances are set for Thursday, April 17; Friday, April 18; and Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m., with matinee shows scheduled for 2 p.m. on April 19 and on Easter Sunday, April 20.

Tickets are available at the Center’s box office at 110 W. College St. in Murfreesboro; by calling 615-904-2787; or online at www.BoroArts.org.

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For Clark, diagnosed with throat cancer before the show when into rehearsals, bringing Superstar back to Murfreesboro took on a greater importance.

“Many months ago, our director, Renee Robinson, and I decided to try and get the rights for this great show and attempt to make it a middle Tennessee Easter tradition. We were excited to discover that the cast of the 2013 edition shared our dreams.

“So off we went. A few months later, I was diagnosed with cancer on the base of my tongue. I was told that my long-term prognosis was good but that I should expect a really uncomfortable several months of chemo and radiation treatments.

“Well, they were right about the uncomfortable. I began treatment in October and I expect to be involved with my recovery in pretty demanding ways for another couple of months.”

Clark said Robinson and he were at the “go/no go” point with the show when he was diagnosed with cancer.

“Truthfully ‘go’ was the only alternative I seriously considered. I think it’s too good and too important of a show give up on easily. Our leadership team committed, our cast committed, and I committed and we are working together to bring a great Easter theater experience to middle Tennessee.”

Clark said he attends as many of the Superstar rehearsals as he can while balancing his therapy.

“Frankly, I’m pretty limited at what I can do right now. I have real physical limitations. But I can dream, encourage, hope, and pray and I’m very excited to be able to do that for Jesus Christ Superstar."

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Andrew Oppmann

 

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