Jesus Christ Superstar on stage Aug. 29-31 at UOG Calvo Field House

The cast of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in rehearsal. Photo courtesy of  Guam Philharmonic Foundation

World Theater Productions, in association with the Guam Philharmonic Foundation Inc. , presents the award-winning, critically acclaimed rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar," which opens today and will run until Aug. 31 at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.

Directed by Benjie Diola, "Jesus Christ Superstar" features a cast of all ages and a live full orchestra.

Jesus Christ Superstar or JCSS retells the story of Jesus’ last days on earth leading up to his crucifixion.

Much of the story is told from the point of view of apostle Judas Iscariot, which has been a cause for controversy since its inception.

Despite that, the production resulted in increased attendance in churches, especially in the U.S. regardless of Christian denomination. The Catholic Church officially endorsed the production in 1999, though some individuals may still find it controversial.

Since 2017, WTP has produced Disney’s Dare to Dream, JR., Disney’s The Lion King JR. (Pika’s Best Local Event 2024), Beauty and the Beast (Pika’s Best

 Local Event 2023), Miss Saigon, Frozen JR., Moana JR., Mamma Mia!, Rent, and Les Misérables School Edition. Hundreds of Guam performers of all ages have been able to showcase their talents and visiting artists from around the world have also been featured.  

Diola has directed over 40 productions and just completed a much-acclaimed run of Mikado in Cebu, Philippines, where he currently resides.

Diola spent over 40years as a director and performer on Guam and was recently recognized as the Guam Philharmonic Foundation’s first Haligi Laureate for his many local productions.

Some of Diola’s best-known works include Hairspray, Grease, Mikado, Music Man, and he organized the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Festival of the Pacific Arts and Culture, held here in Guam.

Award-winning composer/music educator Randal Johnson, a retired UOG professor and now music instructor at the Guam Community College joins JCSS as music director for the production.

Johnson is also an internationally award-winning conductor and composer for choral works. Over the past few weeks, Johnson has been training all the vocalists and rehearsing the JCSS orchestra, which is anchored by members of Guam’s award-winning ensembles like the Tumon Bay Youth Orchestra and the Guam Territorial Band, and musicians from the community-at-large.

“Jesus Christ Sueprstar” cast includes:

·         Nolan Muña as Jesus Christ

·         RD Gibson and Rick Duenas as Judas Iscariot

·         Nina Terlaje, Krystal Paco-San Agustin and Marianna Hernandez as Mary Magdalene

·         Jordan Brink as Pontius Pilate

·         Nicholas Flores Rice as Caiaphas

·         Lawrence Tubera as Annas

·         Gavin Borja as Peter

·         Don Anthony Tayco as Simon Zealotes

·         Alfredo Rufeurzo and Christopher Tamayo as King Herod

·         Dwayne San Nicolas as Priest 1

Various interpretations of JCSS have been introduced, though little alteration is allowed in text or music. Diola intends to portray a traditional/historic view of Jesus and his disciples, in line with Guam’s heavily Christian culture.

Originally intended as a radio play, Jesus Christ Superstar combines the creative genius of British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (Phantom of the Opera

 and CATS) and lyricist Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita, and Aladdin).

The two introduced the modern rock version of the Passion Play,  and their  use of modern vs classical music to tell a traditional tale was echoed in recent successes such as Hamilton, and The Greatest Showman.