‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ ends with emotional punch

The conclusion of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” — Jesus’ crucifixion — should not come as a surprise to anyone who knows anything about of the real-life Jesus’ fate.

Yet Kyle Short — Welk Theatre’s actor cast in the title role — gave such an impactful, gripping performance of his character’s suffering in the musical’s final scene that it easily brought tears to one’s eyes and left Sunday afternoon’s audience in a respectful, appropriate momentary silence.

Of course, when the lights came back on, the audience broke out in loud applause as the 22 cast members returned on stage for their bows while the show’s peppy, high-energy music emanating from the orchestra pit filled the intimately-sized theater in Escondido.

The show is playing five times a week at the Welk Resort Theatre through Aug. 7.

For those unfamiliar with the show, it is composer Webber and lyricist Tim Rice’s rock opera that debuted as a concept album in 1970 and opened on Broadway the following year. Like Webber’s “Cats” and “Evita,” there is no spoken dialogue. It is loosely based on the Gospels and focuses on the final week of Jesus’ life.

The plot largely focuses on apostle Judas Iscariot’s concerns over Jesus’ increasing popularity, how that might lead to the deaths of Jesus and his followers, and how — as Judas justifies it — to save them, he must betray the Son of God. He often refers to Jesus as “just a man” while coming to this decision. Dominique Petit Frere successfully portrays the agony Judas goes through as he switches from follower of Jesus to the one who betrays him at the end of Act I by agreeing to turn Jesus over to the jealous high priests intent on executing him.

Frere, Short and Catrina Teruel (as Mary Magdalene) were among cast members whose singing talents were evident. In most cases all vocalists successfully competed with the orchestra’s volume, though at times Frere — possibly due to microphone issues — was hard to understand.

Among other notable performances during the show was that of Quentin Garzón, as Pontius Pilate. His reluctance to go along with the crowd’s demands for Jesus’ execution was evident, especially as he pleaded for Jesus to defend himself.

With this being a rock opera, most of the songs were upbeat and often had the cast constantly dancing while singing. A few of the well-performed, slower melodies included “Everthing’s Alright,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.” The peppy show tune “King Herod’s Song” and its humorous staging provided an emotional contrast before Director and Choreographer Ray Limon’s staging of Judas’ guilt-ridden suicide, Jesus’ trial before Pilate that included Jesus receiving 39 lashes and the aforementioned crucifixion scene.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” can be seen in matinee and evening performances on Thursdays and Saturdays, plus Sunday matinees through Aug. 7 at the Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive in Escondido. Tickets are $49, with an optional pre-show buffet meal for $19 more. They can be purchased at welkresorts.com or 888-802-7469. For group discounts call 760-749-8501. Parking is free.