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Motley Crue's still got it, mostly
A dude-heavy audience turned out Saturday night for Motley Crue's energetic "Saints of Los Angeles" tour stop at the Alliant Energy Center Coliseum. And judging by their use of lighters, not cell phones, during the grand finale rendition of "Home Sweet Home," it was generally a graying audience. read story
Mapfumo's political Afro-pop gets crowd grooving, or at least trying
It's all well and good to describe Afro-pop music as "polyrhythmic." But you don't get a visceral sense of what that really means until you see a whole dance floor grooving to it, as there was Friday night at the Majestic Theatre for Thomas Mapfumo, aka "The Lion of Zimbabwe," and his five-piece band. read story
NHL game skates on thin ice
The NFL and NBA have Street, Tour and Homecourt. Major League Baseball has The Bigs and Slugfest. Heck, even soccer has its own arcade-style offering (FIFA Street) where fans can go all cartoon-crazy with their favorite sport. read story
The light in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is ensemble chorus
Elaborate sets, crashing chandeliers and furry cat suits are noticeably absent from the latest traveling Broadway production to stop at the Overture Center. Instead, "Jesus Christ Superstar," one of the early musical collaborations of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, uses a blank slate of industrial risers, a projection screen and stadium lights to tell a familiar story to a rock-and-roll soundtrack. read story
Longtime 'Superstar' star: Rock opera is 'spiritual experience'
"Jesus Christ Superstar" has been among the most successful shows this season at Overture Center, expected to sell out all three performances over its weekend stop in Madison. One factor in the traveling show's consistent success is its star, Ted Neeley, who has played the role of Jesus for nearly four decades.
The Texas-born rock-and-roll drummer broke into acting in the musical "Hair," and later he was selected to play the role of Jesus in early Broadway and Los Angeles productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar" as well as in the 1973 motion picture. He still works on music and composing when he has spare time, but he currently is dedicated full time to the traveling production.
"It's just remarkable. What better way to make a living?" Neeley asked just before sound check for Friday evening's show. "Weekends are my favorite times because I get to do this twice in the same day."
Nowadays the show is widely popular among all generations, but in the 1970s, both the film and the Broadway show were the target of controversy over its depiction of Jesus as a rock star. Certain religious groups also complained that the show focused too much on Jesus as a mere human and suggested a romantic relationship between him and Mary Magdalene.
"It originally was considered blasphemy, and it was picketed in New York," Neeley said. "They were very unhappy that Jesus was singing, and most profoundly, that he was singing with a rock-and-roll band."
Neeley sometimes would stop and talk with the protesters, and when he learned most of them had never seen the production, he would invite them as his guest to see the show. Soon, many religious leaders were endorsing rather than protesting "Jesus Christ Superstar." And while there still are a few places where the show is not as well-received, Neeley said the overall sentiment has changed to almost the opposite of what it was before.
"Now it's like a spiritual Sesame Street," he said. "It's used in schools and churches for teaching through singing wonderful songs, learning about Jesus Christ."
Cristina Sass -- who has been with the traveling production for two years, the last year as Mary Magdalene -- said the reception and energy from the audiences give the cast tremendous motivation.
"I've had nothing but positive feedback and absolute love for the show," she said. "I've never been part of a show that is so loved."
She also said she is proud to be part of this production alongside Ted Neeley, noting how much respect and adoration he received from his fans.
"Ted is an incredible guy, an actor's actor," she said. "He's so down-to-earth, just a lovely man. He's very dedicated to every single moment. He's been doing this for so long, there's a lot to be learned from his experiences."
Neeley said the experience audiences take from the show set it apart from other typical Broadway productions.
"This is not your ordinary Broadway show. As a matter of fact, this is not a Broadway show," he said, adding that there are several Broadway shows he greatly admires and enjoys.
"This is a spiritual experience," he said. "Everybody knows the story. We bring the last seven days of Jesus' life, literally, to life."
read storyCreating a special romantic (and affordable) night on the town
Feeling cheap this Valentine's Day -- and not just in a naughty way? You're in good company. Cheap is the new green when it comes to lifestyle, so celebrate your simple life together with simple pleasures. read story
Red, white and brew: partying across America
In 2007, Michael Guerriero worked at a giant pharmaceutical company when he was laid off. Guerriero, then 30, took his severance pay and chose to party. read story
How men pop the question in style
When it comes to marriage proposals, the basic "Wanna? When?" is often enough to get the job done. But for many people, posing the most important question of a lifetime provides an ideal opportunity to dazzle the beloved with creativity. read story
Impeccable technique isn't enough to save Kottke's scattered effort
Leo Kottke is an unquestionable master and innovator of guitar technique -- and has been for more than 40 years -- but he has as little ear for musical composition as he does for his boring, free-association monologues. read story
Los Campesinos! and Titus Andronicus tear up Der Rathskeller
Deep in the bowels of the Memorial Union, in the darkened, cozy confines of Der Rathskeller, a tightly packed mob of students and other generally twenty-something onlookers thronged the stage for the Titus Andronicus and Los Campesinos! show Friday night. read story
