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'Jesus Christ Superstar' Opens the Broadway in Fresno Season
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 8 months ago on
January 16, 2024

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My only previous exposure to “Jesus Christ Superstar” was through pro wrestling.

David Taub

Opinion

Former WWE champion “Superstar” Billy Graham used the iconic theme for his entrance music.

The rest I learned watching the Andrew Lloyd Weber rocker opera Monday night, at the Saroyan Theatre. The two-night run concludes Tuesday. It is the curtain raiser for the four-show Broadway in Fresno series.

For those like me, only knowing the name and the song, it is a musical about the last days of Jesus Christ.

Judas turns on Jesus, who has a groupie-like following. Pilate heeds to the mob and sentences Jesus to the cross.

The musical was all singing and no dialogue. At times, it was hard to hear the songs clearly. I’m not sure if that is because I’m getting old or the acoustics at Saroyan weren’t in sync.

While mostly serious, a golden-clad drag-wearing Pilate stole the show, especially during “King Herod’s Song.”

Actor Jack Hopewell, portraying Jesus, did sound like a rock star during his musical numbers.

If you missed the show, or just couldn’t hear it, the story will be recounted at church between Fat Tuesday and Easter.

The remainder of Broadway in Fresno shows (all at Saroyan Theatre) are Pretty Woman” Feb. 12-13; “Mean Girls” March 26-27; and “Disney’s Aladdin” May 1-5.

Broadway in Fresno 2024

 

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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