We’ve always loved watching Broadway type musicals on occasion, so when we retired we thought we would be frequenting the theater even more. Alas, the Covid-19 pandemic came, quarantines happened and our lives were put on temporary lockdown. Luckily, after a seemingly long wait, life has slowly begun to rewind into a new normal, and yes, at least in our part of the world, theaters have opened. Our own local theater, The Segerstrom Center for the Arts opened this Fall 2021 to the world famous play “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice. This play was originally produced in 1971; this year on its golden anniversary, it is again on national tour of North America. We were more than excited to go watch it.
The Segerstrom for the Arts, originally called the Orange County Performing Arts Center, is a world-class performing arts venue and theater complex. It includes Segerstrom Hall and the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, among others. The Center is also known for its award-winning architecture..
The Segerstrom Hall
The Segerstrom Hall is a multi-purpose theater with a capacity of 3,000 seats, an opera house style with a proscenium stage. Divided into four levels, the building has an asymmetrical design with excellent sight-lines and an advanced acoustical system. It was constructed in concrete and red granite, specifically Napoleon red Swedish granite from Malmo, Sweden.
The entry to the Hall is a grand portal arch with a towering 60-foot high sculpture named Fire Bird appearing to soar in the exterior and interior of the hall. The sculpture is made of red, gold and silver stainless steel and aluminum. It is 120 feet wide and 100 feet deep, with the wings of the “bird” passing through the building’s glass walls. In 2010 the Segerstrom Hall was awarded by the American Institute of Architects, Orange County the 25 Year Award, the Merit Award, and the People’s Choice Award. .
The Lobby
The Stage
This is Segerstrom Hall’s stage where Jesus Christ Superstar was performed.
The Reclining Figure
Located at the upper entrance to the Segerstrom Hall is a sculpture of Reclining Figure by British sculptor Henry Moore. It is considered an example of his mature work, among many of his public works in cities around the world based on human figure. This sculpture was a gift from the Angels of the Arts, a major patron of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Across the Segerstrom Hall in the Argyros Plaza is another venue of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, The Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
The Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is the gem of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. It features a magnificent façade of limestone and glass wall. Visitors and patrons get a dramatic night view of the multi-tiered lobby and circular staircase through the glass from outside.
The award-winning piece of architectural gem includes Swarovski crystal LED globes and 300 silver lavalieres individually hanged in a series of lengths that are tipped in lighted Bacarat crystal pendants. This is the magnificent inside view of the lobby.
Concert Hall offers fixed and loose seats upholstered in scarlet red velvet, individual boxes, three silver leaf acoustical canopies and Canadian maple veneers.Source
Jesus Christ Superstar
This 50th anniversary production of Jesus Christ Superstar is the first Broadway national tour to play in Segerstrom Hall since the pandemic shutdowns. It is a rock opera that follows the final weeks of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Judas; it shows the Roman-Biblical events like the Last Supper, praying in Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas and the climax at the end - the Crucifixion of Jesus. It is a 90-minute play without intermission, a modern take of the original production-current day costumes, powerful music and high-energy dancing. The main focal point in the set was a giant cross that is laid down near the center stage, this was used as a ramp for entrances and exits by the actors. It also served as the table during the Last Supper.
Although we are not great fans of rock opera, we did enjoy the play overall, with special mention to Mary Magdalene's rendition of "I Don't Know How to Love Him".
We were dismayed that the play ended at Crucifixion. It should have ended with Jesus Resurrection. That would have been the greater message. Easter. Not Lent.
We hope you enjoyed reading. Till the next show!