Playing the modern revolutionary, miracle worker and rabble-rouser, Jesus, Scott Charles is delightfully charismatic, and his rendition of “Gethsemane” is flawless and deeply moving. However, a disturbing lack of precision, polish and consistency in the singing blemishes this production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1971 rock musical, which chronicles the last days of Christ’s life. Many songs are off-key and off-tempo, and sometimes devoid of passion — not that having passion while singing off-key would have helped. In sharp contrast, the live accompaniment by Kevin Fosmark, Durand Stewart and Eric Jorgensen, on guitar, drums and violin, is stellar. Director Derek Charles Livingston employs a TV monitor to aid the narrative, but the onscreen print is difficult to discern. The costumes and set are simple, yet effective, and Livingston has efficiently managed his sizable cast on the small stage.
Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Starts: March 21. Continues through April 27, 2008

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