Jesus and Judas come to Havre

The popular 1970s rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" opens Friday night at the Little Theater at Montana State University-Northern, a production that will take nearly 70 Montana Actors' Theatre workers and actors to put on.

"It's awesome. It's insane. It's an opera. It's rock 'n' roll," production director Grant Olson said this morning.

The leads are played by Matt Springer as Judas Iscariot and Ian Munson as Jesus of Nazareth. Both actors play guitar "face-meltingly" well, Olson said.

The actors, in addition to singing, will play guitar during the show. Olson said the guitar playing is part of their characters' voice.

The play has an early '70s Led Zeppelin feel to it, Olson said. He added there are also Black Sabbath and Deep Purple influences.

Olson said there's been "quite a bit of excitement" about the play in Havre, and he encouraged people to come out opening weekend as tickets will be harder to get afterward.

Other main roles will be played by Denae Ellis, who is Mary Magdalene; Casey Pratt is Pilate; Mike Zook is Caiaphas; Thomas Keith is Annas; Aylan Pratt is Simon Zealotes; David Chambers is Peter; and Martin Holt is Herod.

A 17-person orchestra will accompany the acting.

The play, sponsored by Havre Ford, Pacific Recylcling and Computer Center, starts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, then March 9-11 and 16-18, with the doors and Backstage Lounge opening at 7:30 p.m., and matinees beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday and March 11.

The show costs $20 for adults, $15 for students, seniors and members of the military and $10 for grades kindergarten through eight. Northern students gain free admission with a valid student ID.