LAKEPORT >> The cast and crew of the Soper Reese Theatre’s upcoming production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” is a very diverse group: students, a banker, three teachers, one works for a car dealership, another for Social Services, and several are retired — including a retired USAF Lt. Colonel. Yet they are alike in many ways, too.
Several of them have a connection to the music from an early age whether they bought the album themselves when it came out or grew up listening to it being played by their parents. Several of them have performed in bands at one time or another, including Tom Aiken the Band Director. He’s in several groups, including Johnny Tsunami & the Hurricanes and the Hip Replacements. But he doesn’t do musicals. In fact, when asked by the Musical Director, Nick Reid, and the Producer, Michael Adams, if he would do the show he said “Yes” only because he didn’t think they’d be able to find the voices to do such a difficult show in Lake County.
Well, they did find the voices — much to the delight of Reid who is himself in an a cappella group, Earreverence, and who has been the technical director for the Mendocino Music Festival for the last 20 years. He is impressed by the quality of the voices and the commitment to do the work from the cast. “The ensemble is an integral part of the show which is demanding and musically complex. It really is a rock opera, not a musical,” said Reid.
He also has a lot of respect for the director, and his former student, Katy Tipton. He remembers the former 13-year-old who looked as though she would pass out and had to hold onto things in order to sing, and who at 18 was one of only 64 freshmen accepted into the musical theatre program at UCLA. Along with directing, Tipton also plays Mary Magdalene.
Not everyone in the cast is local. Many are transplants. Nicholas Powell, who plays Jesus, hails from Sierra Madre, California. Powell last appeared at the Soper Reese in Spamalot as Sir Galahad. One of his former cast mates, impressed by his talent, said of him, “He just showed up to the auditions one day. No one knew anything about him and he was just great!” Reid is also impressed with him, but not just for his vocal abilities.
“Nick has done a great job of setting the standard,” he said. “He was the first one off book and always the first one to rehearsals.”
Charise Reynolds, who plays Judas, is also from Southern California. She’s performed with the San Diego Comic Opera and the Downey Civic Light Opera. She has always been drawn vocally to the role of Judas who is traditionally played by a male, and never thought she’d actually have the opportunity to play the part.
A few of the cast have done the show before. Dennis Fay who plays Pilate is excited to be reprising the role after 20 plus years.
But it would be remiss not to mention the actor playing Caiaphas, Mel O’Meara. He hits all the low notes. Said Reid, “When Mel opens his mouth the audience will go nuts! No one’s heard anything like that here.” O’Meara grew up in Los Angeles and has performed “Tosca” with the Los Angeles Opera Company as well as the “The Marriage of Figaro” and “The Magic Flute” with UCLA. He also performs annually as the Grinch for Upper Lake Elementary School’s Holiday Program.
Jesus Christ Superstar opens Friday, March 20 and runs through Saturday, April 4. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 275 South Main Street in Lakeport or on the Soper-Reese website at soperreesetheatre.com.
Tickets are also available at The Travel Center, 1265 South Main Street in Lakeport, Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. Follow the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/1595751857305614. For more information call 707-263-0577.
