JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR RISES AGAIN.
ROCK ON.
Rock operas don’t come much more iconic than Jesus Christ Superstar, and Berkeley Playhouse’s electric new production makes it feel as urgent and incendiary as ever. With a timeless score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this show has been rattling the rafters of theaters since its 1971 Broadway debut and eight-year London run. But don’t mistake it for just another period piece—this Superstar feels ripped straight from the headlines, a parable of power, betrayal, and the dangerous allure of a movement that threatens the status quo.
Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus) and company members
JonCarlo Salinas-Tognetti, Melody Payne, Eli Hampton, Sydney Jacobs Allen, Sean Hoffman,
Maia Campbell, Deanalís Arocho Resto, Jesus Pedroza-Moreno, Kyle Laplana,
Hannah Martinez-Crow, Ayani Dorsey, Nicholas Rene Rodriguez, and Andrea Rae
Berkeley Playhouse is known for its high-energy productions, and here, aided by Michael Patrick Wiles‘ tight musical direction, the cast delivers a dynamic and visually striking retelling of the final days of Jesus Christ, played with charismatic command by Deanalis Arocho Resto. With an androgynous presence and a voice that soars effortlessly over Webber’s demanding score, Resto’s Jesus is mesmerizing, embodying both the gentle leader and the firebrand revolutionary.
Lucca Troutman (Mary) and Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus)
Lucy Swinson, Nicholas Rene Rodriguez, Ariel Anderson,
Melody Payne, Z Hansen, and Javier de Guzman
Opposite Resto, Sydney Jacobs Allen’s Judas is a force of nature, her rich, commanding vocals painting a portrait of a man torn between loyalty and disillusionment. When he warns Jesus of his growing influence over the people, you can feel the weight of impending tragedy. Meanwhile, Lucca Troutman’s Mary Magdalene is the emotional heartbeat of the production, delivering a heart-wrenching rendition of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” that leaves the audience hanging on every note.
Sydney Jacobs Allen (Judas)
This production also boasts a knockout supporting cast, with Andrea Rae’s Simon and Sean Hoffman’s Peter bringing layered performances to Jesus’s disciples. On the darker side of things, River Bermudez Sanders’ Herod, Elizabeth Curtis’s Annas, and Jordan Smith’s Pilate are deliciously sinister, each oozing smarmy villainy that makes us recoil every time they slink onto the stage.
Jordan Smith (Pilate)
Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus) and company members
Visually, the show stuns. Kuo-Hao Lo’s stark, multi-level set—dramatically lit like a rock concert by Mark Hueske—provides the perfect canvas for choreographer Kevin Gruwell’s dynamic staging, allowing the ensemble to spill in and out of scenes with effortless precision. And let’s talk about Ashley Renee’s costumes—tight black leather and lace for the dancers, vivid and ominous robes for the priests—each piece an intentional choice that heightens the drama and aesthetic impact.
Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus) and company members
Sydney Jacobs Allen (Judas), Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus), and company members
But what makes this Superstar particularly compelling is its ability to resonate beyond its biblical origins. The themes of power, resistance, and the public’s shifting allegiances feel eerily reflective of our modern political landscape. Whether audience members come in steeped in Christian tradition or simply ready for a powerhouse theatrical experience, they will find that the show unfolds with an emotional intensity and suspense that grips from start to finish.
Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus) and company members
Company members
Imaginatively directed by Kimberly Dooley, this Jesus Christ Superstar is a feast for the senses and the soul, an exhilarating rock opera that delivers both spectacle and substance. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time viewer, Berkeley Playhouse’s production will leave you awestruck—and perhaps even a little shaken. Highly recommended for theatergoers of all ages!
Deanalís Arocho Resto (Jesus) and company members
photos by Ben Krantz Studio
Jesus Christ Superstar
Berkeley Playhouse
Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. in Berkeley
ends on March 30, 2025
for tickets ($19-$55), call 510.845.8542, ext. 351 or visit Berkeley Playhouse
