Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 25

ROCK OVEIU AT CONVENTION HAL, ASBURY PARK EVENING PRESS, July 15, 1971 Yoiing People Invited Christ Superstar' Staged by Touring Troupe To Fill Teen Mailbag' Letters cf young readers will be published In Teen Mailbagr, a new Sunday Press feature. They are invited to express their views and Ideas on any topic school, community, politics, athletics, or what have you. Letters should be brief, constructive, and signed. Address them to Teen Mailbag, Asbury Parlt Sunday -Press, Asbury Park. N.Jrt 07712.

OOOOW ALTER READE THEATRESOOOO QmMmimwmmmmKamwmmMwmmimm amuq 1 Am Ml Ift. 111 I I 1 i I i 1 IH I ir1 wM Cl k-H If -J uiiir: L- 1 I v. 11 i I Mary Magdalene Carl Anderson what the Broadway version is if Jesus Christ work heads. him out in our own As she did on the album, Yvonne Elliman portrays Mary Magdelene. She is truly lovely and her voice is quite beautiful and very, very touching.

One of the most delightful interpretations is that given VOICE OF BROADWAY like. Doesn't seem as if it could beat this one, with its fine cast of leading characters, chorus, and musicians. But, then, a lot of people though the album was the ultimate, too. Perhaps Broadway will take "Superstar" NC TEARS EVERYONE'S HAPPY TO EAT DINNER at FRANK'S J-'ri. Dinner Special Pizza Pie 1.50 to 3.00 Fish Fry 1.75 Soup, Salad, Entree, veg potato, dessert beverage sertf 5 to 8 p.m.

All baking done premises catering for all occasions. open 6 a.m. to 8 p. in'. FRANK'S DELI RESTAURANT between Sunset and Sixth Ave.

Main Asbury Park 3rd Bit; Week NOW PLAYING Hea ever as Ju.as Iscariot another step forward. We'll wait, nnrf rpi. JOAN PIKULA iiii FREEHOLD MALL 7 mmw, ami. nm COUNTRY WMWt UKEKQOO COUNTltY 15( (5U MALL CINEMA Bicmvti, hick town tii-tsi Where your nightmares IMiEIflQQ begins. TOWN HIGHWAY 9.

IAKEW0QO TOWM K4-4S4I First Planet.then Beneath.nOw InS 'Jesus AIMIITIJV TtkT)V til ASBURY PARK "Jesus Christ Superstar" is an amazing work. It is a rock opera. And, it is about Christ. You think at first Uiat it is only about Christ, that it was designed to deliver tlw authors' message that Christ was man, not God. But, it turns out to be a whole lot more.

"Superstar" has layers of meaning that just begin to unfold when the work is visual as well as aural. It was written by two young Englishmen, Tim Rice (lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), and released on the Decca label about eight months ago. It has sold a couple of million copies since, and countless numbers of unauthorized versions of the work have been staged (in total or in part) across the U.S. Rice and Webber put a stop to the unauthorized versions and, with the Robert Stigwood Organisation of London, put together a concert version of "Superstar" which will tour the U.S. before a multi-media version of the work opens on Broadway in October.

The tour started Monday with a debut performance at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Last night it (moved into Convention Hall where a troupe of CO singers and musicians gave two performances, with two more scheduled for tonight. It's a beautiful production, and very, very exciting. There are many differences between this concert version and the album. The words are the same, but tempos, voices, interpretations have made some subtle changes in the essence of the work so that it now ripples with layer upon layer of meaning.

Jesus doesn't seem to be "just a man," as he did on the album. And Judas, on stage, is infinitely more tormented. The controversy over this rock opera has centered around the figure of Christ. Webber and Rice present Christ as man quite firmly in the album version. In concert, the concept is pushed open and the decision is left more to the viewer.

Jeff Feriholt brings to the role of Jesus a blend of lively enthusiasm and gentleness that makes him seem absolutely vulnerable. He is small-boned 1 and fair, with bright blue eyes that are the most expressive part of a face that moves through moods beautifully. And his singing is extraordinary. He moves through soft and gentle tones, he screams, he rocks, he pleads. He does it all exceedingly well.

Originally, Mr. Fenholt was understudy to the Jesus role. It Is hard to imagine anyone else filling it after seeing him. It is mainly because of his interpretation that the idea of Christ as" God is open so Iff sv Guitarist Elliot Randall In wmtywv ww vJ 'yr i if 1 1 if I 1 wWt. iinrf-T-TTft irMftinrrirni Yvonne Elliman as King Herod by Alan Martin.

He delivers his ragtime hit to Jesus while frolicking about the state in fascinatingly decorated trousers. He actually knocked the audience out at the 7:30 show At the core of the orchestra (and chorus) under the direction of March Pressel, is Ran- five million dollars. The reason is simple. John Wayne has become identified with that type of heroic pioneer who beat the West, who beat nature. You know he's bigger.

But take Wayne out. Put Wayne in civvies, put him in Times Square, and he won't make a dollar. The "Man in the Wilderness" doesn't beat nature. He joins it and somehow manages to survive. Is that a lesson for today? It's THE lesson.

Of course there are no set rules about acting. But I'll take a chance with this one never play the same role twice. Try something they don't expect you to come up with. If you're bad in it, you're bad, so what! At least you did it. There are no limits for an ambitious actor.

WHEN I SEE a good actor, or a great actor, playing one of. the classic parts the same way someone else played it 20 years ago, it's disappointing. He (or she) should bring fresh light to it, fresh information, See VOICE Page 26 Phon 774-1 IOS NOW THRU WED. MY 20 6 Glorious Days Nights HELLO, 2a TQDOM toiomwitwc dall's Island, a rock group headed by Elliott Randall (a supergood guitarist) which includes Paul Fleisher sax and flute), Allen Herman (drums), Gary King (bass guitar), and Pot (keyboards). "Jesus Christ Superstar" is a fascinating and beautiful piece of music and ideas.

(The music is excellent, with carefully blended passages of rock, opera (after the fashion of KarlOrff), (and pop.) It will be interesting to see En joy Dining PETERSON'S Buttonwood Manor Rt. 34, 566-6336 Matawan if Hit tc 1 if I COO unsiawanl I II DRIVE-IN 264 2200 l-J HELD OVER 2nd WEEK! 'HIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD StewSnlessesl tA9TMACOL0A ixausivt THi NtW SAVOY ASBURY PARK MATTISON Of MAIN ST. North of Rt. 70) 364-1615 2 I INGHGIMINI I iniiiii rmmmm mm iw-: -4t'-M I I I 1 I I r''11 myp-m 1 1 a I inriton lilVAiAMla pretenri mm Jff- Carlton I ji. I I III nF tf Fk WmZGZ oFtIhe I III 2t DDIPl 01 A7 A )l fl Mike Nichols Film Carnal Knowledge "BLUE WATER, WHITE DEATH' CftlAT WHITE SHARK In everyone's life there a SUMMER OF '422 DUSTIN HOFFMAN "LITTLE BIG MAN" ,9 'I Hi A Where your nightmares IfJiirlUQD begins.

lAJOHTOWHCO-HIT "SKULDUGGERY" IAUR1IONCO-Hir 'TROG" ilLLV IMt4 scrumadilyumphbusl CARLTON CO-HIT "OUTOFTOWNERS" BRIELLE CO-HIT "SUPPORT IQCftL SHERIFF' COMMUNITY LAST DAY "BIG JAKE" iO KIRK DOUGLAS YULBRYNNER "LIGHT AT THE 111 V1 4-1 i linn ininMttift wi '4S iitftarny 1 I II SHOWNC CTNTtlt. ROUTE 71 47M4mJ I 1 DHKHHtMHIlt Paramount Asbury Pork 775-8880 0 SUGGESTED FOR ADULTS ONLY 0 0 0 0 St. James AiburvPork 775-8883 TNf HUNT FOR THE Lyric Asbury Pork-775-1088 Baronet Asbury Pork 775-4112 tS 4th AVE. AT KINCSLEY ST. Oi Mayfair Asbury Pork 775-8881 0 0 9 0 Town MiddiMown 67M030 0 0 0 Dover Tomi River 744-5454 Strand Seoild.

Park 793-9494 Ritz Spring lak-499-9780 Oi Eatontown Driv-lo-542-4200 Laurelton Driln-872-3938 Neptune City Shop.ContM-774-6377. 0 0 0 0 0 0 Red Bonk 741-9600 Algonquin 0 0 0 CO HIT "SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF" 51 Lorraine I I If I i I I II n. Jbimiuni.ui7M-w I I VrV. I iFRFFHDin MAI II I Commun5tY 0 I If I I I I i -V I I SHWWffm, Mnrs WKM Jeff Fenholt os widely to us. Above and beyond that, however for this work will nit change anyone's personal concept of Jesus in all likelihood we see an essential truth, or per- haps, feel again a reality about humankind.

Because we can feel this Christ before us onstage, sense his pain and his fragility, we understand again as we have been piade to understand before in great works of art, or great moments in lesser works that man is a destroyer of his fellow man. What you find foremost in your head while watching this Jesus move toward death is the thought that a man really shouldn't betray his friend, and that it is never one man who betrays the superstar whether he is Christ or any other idol but all those men who idolized him. Carl Anderson's Judas is the direct anthises of Christ. He is a black man, dressed in black pants, sliirt, cape. He moves with a tight agility that communicates the torment of the character.

It is an interesting concept, having Judas played by a black actor. It is also a thing which further broadens the meaning of the work. Mr. Anderson's Judas is powerful powerful voice, powerful acting' powerful stage dynamics. He is not a sympathetic character, though, and, perhaps, since he is "used" to betray Christ and "murdered" himself for the act, we should sympathize with him.

If he could show a measure of softness, just a small spot to indicate his own vulnerability, it might make a great deal of difference. What seems to be missing is a kind of ambivalence of character that would leave us room to Mi 1 "Jesus Christ Superstar" I 1 I nnrpipnkirr I Bli THEiiGHT Palace 0 0 I 1 I "i iiik uuwi 1 fir ri .1 0 "frig- I I of the world- 1 family I wMAV mMmMM, MUSICAL I 2 IlllllllllllllfllVVVlWVVVVVW BKBaa AM WflIM fc ASIIIM SillVSb (Editor's Note: Richard Harris contributes today's column for the vacationing Jack O'Brian.) By RIOTARD HARRIS I believe that acting is very personal, private and agonizing, like birth and death. I have agents and advisors who mean well. I listen to them and often take their advice. But sometimes a man is in the ring all by himself with a strong opponent.

All the advice and warnings shouted from the sidelines mean nothing. He has to. depend on instinct alone. And that's what happened to me in the case of Man Called Horse." Nobody wanted me to do it. All sorts of arguments were tossed in my direction, but I ducked them right and left.

I saw a piece of truth in that script, and no one could change my mind. I wanted to do it. Although on many occasions I bowed to demands of others, I just turned a deaf ear this time. I did it. What I really saw was something quite different the purity of the Indians, the understanding of the Indians.

Too often these people have been misrepresented on the screen, and now I saw an opportunity to remedy a sorry condition. Judging by the results, artistically and financially, a lot of other people throughout the world shared my feelings. Now I have just finished another picture. Man in the for Warner Brothers. Once more something was biting at me, telling me to go ahead.

Yes, this is a story which has never been touched on before. That was enough for me. Zachary Mass, my character, was a mountain pioneer of the 1800's, in Dakota. And a bear ate him. His friends left him for dead.

there'd be the entire American Air Force looking for him. They would be sending telegrams and helicopters. And in about five days, they'd find him. There's no fight to survive today as there had to be in the West of that wild period. But the picture is not a Western, per se.

Not a John Wayne Western, to be sure. People just don't give a damn if John Wayne is riding a donkey or what he's doing. He can stand up with a six-shooter and a cowboy hat and read a telephone directory, and he'd make four or '111 MilUAY, SA I UKUATjOUNUAI Nil to CHICO HAMILTON Ar maI i Amniiinittr uuiit'c tuc i i'. i I 11 fiii-j-i 'f iii'ivi jr Mr wiiiiiiviiiii i iinii iiic rt ySmgmmM Ed MATTER WITH HELEN?" vOtSrrffumAm I ri 1 I co-hit colonial only 9 I VMltt i i yjfSr 0 vOlOnial "whatever happened tiy 21 I T0BAByjflNEr 0 and his dynamic QUARTET 1038 Rt. 9 Lakewood (Just fs mminfinniMil imih'1 I IIVEMTO'S WEST END MANOR wiorom FAMOUS CI VX'aT 5 TTmT I OffonTwp.

775-8810 mrf 1, A r.Y, SHOWN TODAY rtfeOT. A iiiiii Siin Lavqllette I "ESCaps 747-0333 plATJET 0 HlUbM shore ST0AE1 PIZZAIOLA i mra a irmT" jm -'r raw i imw 1.1 1 runnr --t hit 656 OCEAN AVE. 229-2000 WEST END 1 4 'GIHGER" I 2 JOIN US FOR POINT PLEASANT BEACH FIREWORKS IC3IfE AND THURSDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER AND LABOR DAY MONDAY, SEPT. 6th Bring the whole family to a night of fun on the Boardwalk Amusements Kiddie Rides Refreshments Cames iSim iwrto r-i vi'n'r-i r. A THE NEW JULES VERIVE ADVENTURE) Toms River SHOW, 0 0 1 1 II tnn hrnumnn I NOW Vi FREAKS I I PRICE DAYS All Klddl.

Ridoi neon 'III 00 P.M. And Every Friday throughout the Summer EDGE OF THE WORLD" I I 11932) uncut 3i.nm version I Tl A tS Ity lh onflnfirank Mrttlnn Cnntw Point FUmtmnt Chamhr( fomwwrro Thre members of the "Superstar" chorus sing at Convention Hall, Asbury Park. (Press Photos) OOOOOOOOOOODDOOOOOOOD, I rn GREATEST HORROR MOVIE OF AIL TIME fTl I f. -J VINCENT CANBY. Y.

TIMtS Sm.