With just days left to go for the musical Jesus Christ Superstar to go on boards, it is hard to settle on who’s more excited: the cast & crew or audiences!

Director Jerome L. De Silva, assistant directors, Shanuki De Alwis and Surein De S. Wijeyaratne together with the cast have pressed on unstintingly to grip and enthral the audience as the curtains open this weekend at the Wendt presenting the revival of this eminent musical; this abiding story of salvation.

The play is presented by the Workshop Players and show starts this Friday 4^th and runs till the 13^th. Tickets are now available exclusively at the Lionel Wendt, priced at Rs. 2000, 1500, 800 & 500 (Balcony). Since box plan opened last week, all I have been hearing is that tickets are selling out super fast, so if you’re bent on watching the show you might want to hurry!

Those playing the characters of Jesus and Judas spoke to Daily Mirror Life in an exclusive interview, as they put their finger on how this production will (or have) underline(d) their stage careers. On this Meet the Cast edition they share what embodying universally known characters feels like on multiple levels, be it mentally, physically or spiritually. They also commented on why exactly the role is demanding and how they have, as actors, bridged the gap. Lucidly enough, all of them absolutely love being part of the journey and taking on their respective roles.

Those playing the characters of Mary Magdalene and Pontius Pilate spoke to Daily Mirror Life, as they put their finger on how this production will (or have) underline(d) their stage careers. They share what embodying universally known characters feels like on multiple levels, be it mentally, physically or spiritually. They also commented on why exactly the role is demanding and how they have, as actors, bridged the gap. Lucidly enough, all of them absolutely love being part of the journey and taking on their respective roles.

As Jesus

Rehan Almeida

The experience has been nothing short of awe inspiring. It is challenging in every way possible. But it has been a journey through which I have learnt so much about myself, my faith and reflects the power of theatre to enrich the body, mind and soul. I have had one other experience in working on a musical so I am familiar with the process. However this musical is on another level, in particular when it comes to the singing. Add the acting and dancing into it and it becomes a truly power packed performance.

This time around the intensity is much higher and the cast has been given the added "rock star" dimension which has only added to the fun and made it an even more of a memorable experience. JCS is one of the greatest musicals of all time and possibly the greatest rock musical of all time.

Reviving a masterpiece of this nature is truly a challenge but I have been amazed and humbled at the skill and dedication of the "amateurs" who are a part of this production. Add to it the rockers who are a part of the cast and the dynamic transcends and the richness of the music is brought to life. Any apprehensions as to whether a musical of this nature could be pulled off in Colombo are just dispelled when you witness what this cast is capable of.

Chrisantha De Silva

Jesus Christ Superstar the movie, is something that converted many a music lover to rock fans in the island, and has been something ‘I’ve kept close to my heart because it combines a story that ‘I’ve grown up with and a genre of music that I’ve fallen in love with over the years.

When I heard the Workshop Players were going to produce it, through some close friends, the sound track started replaying at home and in my car, and I signed up for the audition hoping to take a crack at playing a lead role. After listening to some of the signature and less famous songs from the sound tracks, I really connected with the song Gethsemane, Jesus' heated conversation with God about His plan for Him. So it was decided, I will try and audition, singing the hardest song written by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Although, my background is singing mostly alternative music which utilises my lower and mid range alot, I did manage to pull it off and get casted! I'm no stranger to the stage. But stage acting definitely made me nervous. I can safely say that I wouldn't have taken my baby steps in acting with anyone other than Jerome and the Workshoppers. My favourite, song from the play is The Trial, where Pilate unwillingly sentences down the penalty of death by Crucifixion, due to its very progressive nature, and just the whole emotion involved in it. Second favourite is Gethsemane. And watching my co actor Rehan sing it.

As Judas Iscariot

Gehan Blok

The experience so far has been beyond description - the chance to portray the iconic role of Judas, and to work with one of the country's oldest theatre groups. This is probably the toughest role in my acting career thus far, given the nuances of the character and the process of turning first-time singing into a new comfort zone; that's taken considerable time and effort, but this production is more than worth the while. Becoming Judas, the biggest challenge lies in bringing out the unexpected.

The Bible, passion plays and most movies don't provide much insight into the traitor who regretted his actions. The Judas created by Webber and Rice, although somewhat divergent from the narration of the four gospels, has a lot more dimension. Wrong as his actions were, in this production they are given explanation. We see a man who is deeply concerned for Christ's well-being and safety; someone inclined to be cautious, and whose bitterness and anger takes control as a result of stress, anxiety and the feeling of not being heeded. The progression he makes: from Jesus' most trustworthy right-hand man/advisor to traitor, really strikes a chord with me and I aim as much as possible to highlight this.

Needless to say there is a lot of pressure. I'm taking the stage and singing solos for the first time, amidst actors and actresses (some of them well-known personalities in the local rock music scene) who have sung more than I ever have. I always could sing, and have sung as part of a chorus in a few productions, but singing the correct way and with the proper technique is something I learned through this production... I think!

I believe the relative controversy surrounding JCS makes it something of a bold move by WSP, to take it on in this country. That said, more than the storyline or its implications, the brilliance of the composition and lyrics, and the challenges posed therein make the production a formidable venture that WSP is more than equipped to impress with.

As Mary Magdalene

Kavitha Gunesekera

Playing Mary Magdalene has been a wonderful experience. Magdalene’s journey from a woman who has had to make a living by questionable means, to a woman who shuns everything material for the sake of her Saviour, creates a transformation in her that many of the people of her time perhaps misunderstood. Capturing that transformation was a challenge. However, it’s also what I like best about the role: the fact that she changed her life, and devoted herself to the message of Christ.

We've been taught such valuable lessons by Jerome, Surein and Shanuki: from really getting into character, to singing with clarity, to dancing and how to move as your character would move throughout. I've learned so much in the few months that have led up to the production. On a personal level, there was a lot of nervousness which I needed to let go of, as this will be the first public production I will be part of.

But they've shared with us the amazing knowledge they gained from years of experience. They've shown us how to let go of that tension, to make our roles believable, to become the characters we play. This is a journey that I am so grateful to be part of - one I will not forget.

Purnima Pilapitya

Mary Magdalene in this musical is portrayed as a devoted follower of Jesus who loves him unreservedly.  She has a few songs, which range in mood and emotion whether she trying to console Jesus in “Everything’s Alright” or confessing her love for him in “I don’t know how to love him”.  The hardest part for me was to balance her personality as a mature, ‘experienced’ woman of the world while showing her vulnerability as someone who for the first time in her life has sincerely loved someone and doesn’t know how to react to it.

But all in all, it is an interesting character to play with several lovely songs to go with it. This is the first time that I am a part of such a colossal production and my first time with the Workshop Players. I grew up watching their productions such as The Lion King and Oliver and have been an ardent fan.

Working with them truly has been an unforgettable experience. It is the first time that I have worked as part of a professional cast and have learnt so much from discipline, to time management and professionalism… not to mention being able to have as much fun. They are very supportive and will not hesitate to push you to be the best you can be. We are a close as a cast and I think that has helped us out a lot. 

Achera Ratnavale

Exciting, but daunting as Mary Magdalene is a much publicized role and it is a very big pair of shoes to fill in.  I really do hope that I can do justice to such a well known character.  Being one of 4 playing the same role, working to maintain consistency and contributing my own interpretation of the role is a challenge. Yet it’s been a thrilling experience playing a character of a ground breaking production. I love her strong personality and deep emotions that is brought out through song and her overwhelming devotion to Jesus Christ.

To me what is beautiful is that it’s the last seven days of the Lord Jesus Christ’s life, as seen through the eyes of his contemporaries, all of whom saw him as a man.

Amandhi Caldera

Mary Magdalene’s role can be emotionally challenging at times. The play begins on a rather light and care free note however the emotions progressively become deeper, Jesus’ Crucifixion being the most emotionally challenging scene of the entire musical. I have acted, danced and sang in other productions, however, I must confess, dancing can be a little challenging for me. I have to practice extra hard to get a dance sequence right:) The experience has been unforgettable. What I love about the cast is that it has a mix of various people -  the singers, the seniors, the actors, the dancers, the rockers, the youngsters, who are all willing to help one another. That has made this cast very memorable for me. If I am given the opportunity to sit in the audience for one day and watch the play, I'll take it, because this show is a "must watch'!!

As Pontius Pilate

Mario De Soyza 

The biggest challenge in playing Pilate has been the vocal range. While it may pale in comparison to some notes CC and Rehan hit, it’s certainly been a challenge for me to get 'up there'. Besides that the obvious challenge has been conveying a spate of emotion in a limited time on stage but it’s been a really enjoyable role to play. Well thankfully my character doesn’t dance, so all's well that ends well.

As always working with Workshoppers has been a blast. This production has brought together an eccentric group of individuals and it’s been a really nice having non-theatre personalities among us. They have added a fresh perspective to the group’s dynamics for sure. It’s the greatest story ever told, so it’s going to be amazing to be able to relive a bit of history on stage.

By Nivedha Jeyaseelan

Photo Credits to Shehal Joseph