March 28-April 3, 2002

theater

Christian Rock

Theater

Oh, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Without you, there would be no shows with chandeliers smacking the audience, no enormous, crooning felines to inspire thousands of horrible middle school talent-show acts, no turning of biblical objects to Technicolor, but most of all, no rock musical about the death of Christ. Jesus Christ Superstar sounds like the name of a bad Saturday Night Live sketch, but it really is a catchy, engrossing show by Webber and Tim Rice chronicling Jesus' last seven days on earth. It's hard not to tap your toes when Mary Magdalene's singing "Everything's Alright" or to get into the sweeping title song. For Easter weekend the Keswick will be presenting the show, which had its premiere in October 1971. Featuring a touring cast that includes a mother and daughter playing Mary and Mary Magdalene (hmmm...), the show will act as a charity benefit as well. Everyone's encouraged to bring canned food to the Keswick for the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, and representatives from Habitat for Humanity will speak about their programs and accept donations. Rocking out to the crucifixion might seem slightly un-Easter-like, but you'll be helping a good cause, too. And besides, it's better than going to a mall to sit on an oversized bunny.

Jesus Christ Superstar, Thu.-Fri., March 28-29, 8 p.m.; Sat., March 30, 5 and 9 p.m., $19.50-$29.50, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

—Debra Auspitz

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