In the last part of my Superstar blog, I told the story of how rehearsals started. One thing that I failed to mention is the fact that for the first four of five weeks of rehearsals, we were missing two principal actors. One of whom was Isaac Haas, who is playing Judas.  If you don't know "Superstar," let me tell you that Judas is central to the entire production, as it centers around the relationship between him and Jesus.

To say that it was challenging for the company to interact with someone who wasn't there is a slight understatement.  I can imagine it is like a movie actor trying to emote to a green screen or a tennis ball while imagining a dragon is about to eat them. Since I don't have any scenes with Isaac, I could watch the rest of the cast. These guys took that challenge and ran with it, so when Isaac got here, it was seamless.

Even before Isaac, Emily Mwakitawa (Simon), and Missy Wise (Musical Director) got there, we were staging and rehearsing the play, part and parcel. Now, I have practiced my three songs over and over. I've tried to imagine what Pilate is thinking. I've visualized other actors around me. I've tried to breathe live into a character and make it my own...all on my own.  I thought I had it nailed, then I started rehearsing with the company. It flipped a switch.

I'm feeling real emotions on stage. And I Like it.

Look at the pictures below for some shots of the first whole show run. We move into Emmett Hook theatre in two days. We rehearse on set for the first time in three. We open in seven. It's right around the corner, and it is going to be amazing!

The box office is open! Click HERE for ticket information.

To be continued....

Gary is portraying Pontius Pilate in Stage Center’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The production runs July 30-Aug 8.

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