Montclair Operetta Club to Perform "Jesus Christ Superstar"

The Montclair Operetta Club will present Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tice Rice’s rock opera, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” at the Bloomfield College Westminster Arts Center.

Under the direction of Bob Cline with musical direction by Gonzalo Valencia, the show will feature Bobby Wolfe Jr. as Jesus Christ and Uton E. Onyejekwe of Maplewood as Judas Iscariot. 

Performances will be held on Nov. 4, 5, 11, & 12 at 8 p.m. and matinees on Nov. 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. 

Based on a rock opera concept album project written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice before its first staging on Broadway in 1971, “Jesus Christ Superstar” chronicles the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. 

As seen through the eyes of his disciple, Judas Iscariot, who has become disillusioned with the movement, the musical is based loosely on the Gospels’ account of the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem, and ending with the crucifixion. 

“I love working in New Jersey theatre,” Cline said, “because it feels like the audience is an audience of experience They know theatre. This gives me the added challenge of trying to make sure my ideas are new and fresh, as much as my need to respect the work that they are coming to see.” 

Local residents starring in the show include Bloomfield’s Danny Egan, Eric Parkin of Belleville, Danielle C. Pennisi of Cedar Grove, Laura Marie Rondinella of West Orange and Knight Velour Wilson of Montclair. 

The Montclair Operetta Club has been producing high-caliber musical theatre since 1925 with its first production of “The Pirates of Penzance.” 

Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for senior citizens, $15 for students with valid ID and $4 for Bloomfield College students with a valid ID. Credit cards are not accepted at the theater. 

General admission tickets also may be purchased online at mocmusicals.org/tickets.htm or by calling (973) 744-3133. 

The Bloomfield College Westminster Arts Center is located at 449 Franklin St. in Bloomfield.