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Jesus Christ SUPERSTAR Rocks the Stage

Jesus Christ Superstar at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota, now through December 28, 2025.

*featured above photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade includes Jack Hopewell (Jesus) and the North American tour company.

Jack Hopewell (Jesus) with the North American tour company of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Wow! The Olivier Award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar is both exhilarating and conflicting. My body wanted to dance while my mind felt frozen in the weight of the story. The story is set in the final weeks of Jesus Christ’s life, told from Judas’s perspective.

From the moment the show starts with the squeal of the electric guitar and the cast’s dramatic entrance from the side doors, the audience is locked in. It has the feel of an electric stadium concert mixed with rock opera musical. I had never fully listened to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s famous score until the show and am now a fan. Did you know that it was the 1971 Billboard Album of the Year?

Elvie Ellis (Judas) with the North American tour company and Faith Jones (Mary) of Jesus Christ Superstar. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Jack Hopewell (Jesus) fills the theater with emotion, giving a full understanding of Jesus’ love, pain, and the last days of his life. His voice resonates through the theater, especially the high notes, sending chills up your spine. Opposite Jesus, Elvie Ellis (Judas) creates a perfect push-and-pull, emoting how deeply conflicted Judas was about his decision. The intensity between them is palpable. Every time Faith Jones (Mary) takes the stage, it is a breath of fresh air and comfort through the chaos of Jesus and Judas. Her voice is so beautiful and magical. It’s like a warm, needed hug.

The whole returning touring cast was all star! The confidence and ease on the stage seemingly working and moving as one is incredible to watch. I loved the simplicity of the set design, one building with windows into the soul of the stage. The windows are strategically used to highlight different actors and scenes including the guitar player and orchestra. A large cross laying, almost as if it fell through the building, is very powerful.

Jack Hopewell (Jesus) with the North American tour company of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

The end and cruciifixion was difficult for me to watch, given everything going on in the world. Sometimes it feels like we haven’t evolved. Group mentality, not knowing the whole story and believing half truths from unreliable sources, judging, when will it stop?

I love when a production makes you you feel a plethora of feelings while at the same time being so entertaining. You will be swept away into the music and the story. And hopefully all of us walk away wanting to share more love, respect, and understanding.

This is the Regent’s Park Theatre London production and a replica of the show will launch its international tour across Asia next year. Another production will return to London’s West End this summer, playing at Palladium Theatre.

What to do before a show at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts

The holidays are truly magical in and around the Ordway. The Ordway is decorated to the hilt so beautifully with a bright red tree for you to grab a photo in front of, along with a selfie station. Plus, an incredible piano player sharing festive holiday tunes. Savor a drink, take a picture, and enjoy the views of Rice Park!

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©Tracy Blowers unless otherwise stated

December 13, 2025
Review – A Christmas Carol

The cast of A Christmas Carol, Photo Jenny Graham

A Christmas Carol at Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota

When I turned onto 2nd Street in Minneapolis, as I’ve done hundreds of times, my eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. Seeing the Guthrie Theater’s bright lights shining again, feeling the familiar feeling of excitement, and at the same time, the rush of emotions of what we all have been through filled my heart. It was a big lump of hope in my throat. It’s been 616 days since the Wurtele Thrust Stage went dark, and she is back.

Above Photos Tracy Blowers

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Lavina Jadhwani, directed by Joseph Haj at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, runs through December 27, 2021. Do you ever wonder what might have been or what could be? A Christmas Carol reminds us that every passing moment is a chance to change or shift our circumstances.

Ebenezer Scrooge is stuck in a miserable cycle. He’s isolated himself, believing that he is happier when he is alone until this Christmas Eve when three ghosts visit him. One from the past, present, and future. The spirits show Scrooge through memories and realities what will happen if he stays on this course and doesn’t open his heart. As each spirit takes him on a journey, Scrooge begins to see clearly, and shows a desire to transform.

Isa Guitian (Belle), Clay Man Soo (Young Scrooge) and Matthew Saldivar (Ebenezer Scrooge), Photo Jenny Graham

For the first time since 2010, the Guthrie updated the production including new scenic, costume, prop, lighting and sound designs. We really enjoyed this adaption and the updates. It felt right. Simplified and scaled down, like an ease back which highlighted the story even more. The warm mood of the lighting (Yi Zhao), the intricate costume design (Toni-Leslie James), and the talented cast narrating the story as they moved seamlessly around the stage had me mesmerized. There is still wonderful singing including Christmas carols, dancing, humor, ghosts flying, and startles. Scenic Designer (Matt Saunders) did an amazing job adding a fresh view into the world of Scrooge. Speaking of Scrooge, we thought Matthew Saldivar, filled the shoes perfectly, and his comedic timing is fantastic.

Kurt Kwan (Ghost of Christmas Past) and Matthew Saldivar (Ebenezer Scrooge), Photo Jenny Graham

Ultimately, Scrooge realizes that sharing his life with others is what brings him joy. I think that is what overwhelmed my heart when I turned down 2nd Street. There was a time of isolation but we are coming back together as a community.

Regina Marie Williams (Ghost of Christmas Present), Matthew Saldivar (Ebenezer Scrooge), Lily Birkholz (Tiny Tim),
John Catron (Bob Cratchit), Photo Jenny Graham

“It is certainly true of this ghost story of Christmas, which reminds us each holiday season that we are not just responsible for ourselves but also for our neighbors.” – Joseph Haj

You can buy tickets to this timely holiday tale HERE.

Remember, keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

November 14, 2021
Getting Plowed: A Holiday Survival Guide – Brave New Workshop – Minneapolis
“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.” – Robert Frost

If you’re looking for a fun way to kick off the holiday season, check out “Getting Plowed: A Holiday Survival Guide” at the Brave New Workshop (BNW). It’s the perfect way to keep the holidays in perspective and release some stress through laughter. The show is quick-witted, entertaining, and hilarious!

Some cool information about BNW:
- BNW has been creating original comedy and improv in Minneapolis since 1958
- Longer than any other theatre in the U.S.
- BNW was founded by Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus aerialist, Dudley Riggs
- Dudley Riggs decided to start BNW after a near-fatal fall from a trapeze
- BNW boasts the most comprehensive improv training curriculum in the country
Before the show…

After the show. 😉

Brave New Workshop

824 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis

612-332-6620

www.bravenewworkshop.com

#sponsored
November 19, 2019
Guthrie Theater – Rockin’ the Boat Gala – Photo Shoot

I had the honor of shooting the Guthrie Theater Rockin’ the Boat Gala in June. It was such a beautiful evening and fun to see the Guthrie transformed for the event. Here are a few of my favorite shots!

www.guthrietheater.org

©Tracy Blowers

July 17, 2019
The Wickhams – Jungle Theater

Jungle Theater presents the rolling world premiere of The Wickhams – Christmas at Pemberley now through December 30th!

I love seeing behind the scenes, don’t you? Especially when it’s a story that you wish would never end. The first time I saw Pride & Prejudice, it took my breath away. I wanted to know more, did Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy live happily ever after? Did the rest of the Bennet sisters…Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia? Last year, I was so excited that Jungle Theater continued the story with Miss Bennet. Again, I wanted to know more and thankfully, Jungle Theater delivered!

This year, the story continues with The Wickhams, giving us a peek “downstairs” in the Darcy kitchen, where the servants are preparing for the holidays and the arrival of their guests.

Photo credit: Rich Ryan Photography

All good things happen in the kitchen, right? 😉 We learn family secrets and more about the complexity of the sister’s relationships and their loyalty to each other. We get to watch young love grow and the beginning of new dreams. We get to see how when someone believes in you and doesn’t hold you back, how your whole world can change and grow.

Roshni Desai – Cassie and Jesse LaVercombe – Brian. Photo credit: Rich Ryan Photography

This show is magical! The theater, the acting, the story. It’s full of love, laughter and the craziness of family dynamics. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holidays!

For tickets and information, click HERE.

Dear Jungle, please keep this story going!!! It’s our new favorite holiday tradition!

Photo credit: Soul Photography

December 11, 2018
Hot Funky Butt Jazz

Photo Credit: Bob Stacke

Hot Funky Butt Jazz cast: Zena Moses – Marie Laveau star of the show, Messiah Moses Albert – young Louis Armstrong, Jeremy Phipps – Stringbean Russell, Michael Wolfe – Professor James London, Naa Mensah — Essie.

created by the INTERACT ENSEMBLE
directed by JEANNE CALVIT
music and lyrics by AARON GABRIEL
in collaboration with New Orleans’ musicians ZENA MOSES, JEREMY PHIPPS, and EUGENE HARDING

Former Guthrie Artistic Director Liviu Ciulei once said that “a community can be measured by the questions its theater asks.”

That is what I love about the Dowling Studio – Level 9 at Guthrie Theater! Affordable tickets to original shows, many created by our local theater companies. They create art to help us understand and address important questions in our society.

That is exactly what Hot Funky Butt Jazz did. Beautiful, entertaining art while opening our eyes to the challenging beginning of jazz simultaneously reminding us that people with disabilities still face the same struggles today.

Photo Credit: Bob Stacke

Hot Funky Butt Jazz takes place in the early 1900s in Storyville, New Orleans’ infamous red-light vice district where many musicians like Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, and Louis Armstrong grew up. The show is fun, full of life and tells the story of how it took strong, tenacious people to stand together against all odds to bring us “hot music” now known as jazz.

The full cast is made up of 50 actors with and without disabilities. As the show ended, I looked at the stage and thought…this is what “normal” really looks like not what society has taught me to believe. How it is up to me, us, the people to work to change the perceptions. I struggle with my own disability and have felt less. I was reminded that I’m not. That it is through our own hard times that we can create change. That diversity is everything. When we watch, listen, and hear the same things over and over, we become robots not people.

Go enjoy the magic of jazz and New Orleans!

Now through November 18, 2018.

Click HERE for tickets!

Photo Credit: Bob Stacke

The Interact Center’s mission is to create art that challenges the perceptions of disabilities. Read more at interactcenter.org.

November 9, 2018

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