Diamond Head Theatre ‘s revival of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” opening April 1, boasts a cast that should bring vigor and vitality in the lead roles.
Aleks Pevec will portray Jesus of Nazareth and Bailey Barnes will enact Mary Magdalene. The powerful rock opera includes break-out titles such as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane” and “What’s the Buzz.”
The score by Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice should resonate with a new generation of spectators encountering the rock opera with its biblical template.
Directed and choreographed by John Rampage, “Superstar” will run April 1 through 20; but already, two extension matinees have been added for 3 p.m. April 23 and 4 p.m. April 24. Tickets will be scarce, so order prior to opening.
Pevecs previously co-starred in DHT’s “Something Rotten” and Barnes will be remembered for her breakout role as Dorothy in the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation’s “The Wiz.”
Others in the cast include Taj Guttierez as Judas Iscariot, Aiko Schick as King Herod, Corin Medeiros as Caiaphas, Jay Flores as Annas, Jody Bill as Simon Zealots, Michael Abdo as Peter, and Laurence Paxton as Pontius Pilate.
The origin of the 1970s musical includes island singer-actress Yvonne Elliman, who created the Magdalene role and performed a pair of signature tunes, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Everything’s Alright,” in the concept album, stage vehicle and the resulting film. She earned a Golden Globe nomination in 1974 for her movie performance.
For tickets, visit www.diamondheadtheatre.com or call (808) 733-0274…
Manoa whodunnit
Manoa Valley Theatre’s “The 39 Steps” opens tonight (March 17). It’s a mixture of farce blending Hitchcockian mystery with Monty Python mirth. The playwrights are Patrick Barlow and John Buchan, whose spy novel whodunnit includes a murder and a mysterious group called “The 39 Steps” which tracks a manhunt to a hilarious finale.
Rob Duval directed the cast that includes Garrett Hols as Richard Hannay, Rachel League as Annabella/Pamela, Matthew Miller as Clown 1 and Andrew Baker as Clown 2.
Performances are Thursdays through Sundays, through March 27.
Visit www.manoavalleytheatre.com or call 988-6131. …
A football superstar weds here
Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chief’s all-star quarterback, and his sweetheart Brittany Matthews, tied the knot at the Four Seasons resort on Maui on March 13.
Both groom and bride are 26 and they’ve been a couple for a decade.
TMZ noted that Mahomes was attired in a gray suit, with Matthews in a traditional white bridal gown.
The couple’s daughter Sterling, 1, was flower girl and the quarterback’s younger brother, Jackson, was best man. Travis Kelce, a teammate, was groomsman and Kayla Nicole, his girlfriend, was one of several bridesmaids. …
And that’s Show Biz. …