Although she addresses primarily Christ in confronting his humanity with lines such as “Try not to get worried,” Lampert’s message of peace is still at this point communicated to Judas as well. Her lyrical repetitions in “Everything’s alright” are delivered with a folk-like ease and beauty.

Lampert injects a musical and dramatic balm. Into this swirl of conflicts the Mary Magdalene of Ms. As such, his disagreements with Judas provide a cautionary reminder, “If your slate is clean,” while hinting at the inevitable dangers about to surface. Saunders embodies the dichotomy of humanness with an anxious awareness of the coming sacrifice. The apostles chorus, “What’s the Buzz,” has here the effect of a zealous inquiry despite the admonitions of Christ to focus on the immediate. Shaw’s first solo, “Heaven on Their Minds,” which summarizes effectively the recent differences noted by Judas as “your right hand man.” The familiarity and struggles captured by Ryan’s dramatic portrayal signal, at once, admiration and resentment. This adulation is questioned immediately in Mr. The crowds of adherents stream down the theater’s aisles near the start of this production, when they surround and kneel before the central figure. Tensions existing over perceptions of Christ are emphasized from the start. The essence of the New Testament story, as evoked in the Rice / Lloyd Webber version by both music and text, is supported in this production by strong vocal and dramatic performances. The Chorus is prepared by Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chorus Master Michael Black. Choreography is under the direction of Drew McOnie. Sets and costumes are designed by Tom Scutt with lighting and sound design by Lee Curran and Nick Lidster. The performances are conducted by Tom Deering and directed by Timothy Sheader. For Lyric Opera’s production the principal roles of Jesus, Judas, Mary, Caiaphas, Annas, Simon Zealotes, Pilate, Peter, and Herod are sung by Heath Saunders, Ryan Shaw, Jo Lampert, Calvin Cornwall, Joseph Anthony Byrd, Mykal Kilgore, Michael Cunio, Andrew Mueller, and Shaun Fleming.

Mykal kilgore lyric opera chicago