Kerux: a portfolio of Calvin Theological Seminary - Volume 44.5 - 19 Mar 2010

Superstar Message

Ridge Point Community Church produces Jesus Christ Superstar

by Kory Plockmeyer

When Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice joined forces to produce the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971 the results were instantly controversial. A masterful work of art and music, the show focused on a human portrayal of Jesus’ passion week. The show dramatizes the last week of Jesus’ life, including the unrest caused by his preaching and popularity, his betrayal by Judas, his trial before Pontius Pilate, and his crucifixion. Many Christian groups denounced the show, claiming that it was too sympathetic to Judas and denied the divinity of Jesus. Nearly forty years later, one local church has decided to take a different approach to the show.

Ridge Point Community Church in Holland is producing Jesus Christ Superstar in their 1500 seat auditorium. Ridge Point has a history of dedication to the arts, including past performances of Fiddler on the Roof and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The church aims for more than entertainment, however. Scene Director Steve Childerston hopes that the show will drive people to ask tough questions: “Our prayer is that through the presentation of this rock opera it will drive people into God’s word to seek answers themselves and to answer the question, ‘Was Jesus really who he said he was?’”

The church hopes that the show can be used for outreach into the community. Even the casting of the show was not limited to the Ridge Point community. “We are using this as an outreach mechanism within the artistic community. The relationships that are being built within this three month journey have been very powerful,” Childerston stated. He was also glad to see that because of these relationships “a lot of discussions have taken place about Jesus Christ that would not have taken place otherwise.”

The cast includes local performers and newcomers to the stage from the Ridge Point community. Jesus is played by Broadway veteran and Grand Valley theatre/dance major Josh Zoerhof, whose professional credentials include national tours of Cats and Singin’ in the Rain. The show runs March 18-28. Tickets are $7 for a Thursday performance and $12 for a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday performance and can be purchased by calling 616-395-2600.

The production team behind Jesus Christ Superstar knows that the show might be controversial. For Childerston, at least, this is a risk he is willing to take: “I think sometimes God calls us into taking well-thought out risks. We know that this is not as easy as doing a ‘Christian’ show but if all that happens is entertainment then I’m not really interested in it. But, if it leads to people seeking answers, then I think it’s been a risk well worth taking.”