‘Superstar’ opens Sept. 28 at Big Noise

Big Noise Theatre Company is proud to open its 2012-13 season with the engaging rock-opera “Jesus Christ, Superstar,” opening Sept. 28 and playing weekends through Oct. 21 at Prairie Lakes Theatre in Des Plaines.

The production is directed by Stacey Flaster, and Robert Deason returns to Big Noise as the show’s music director.

Based on a concept album project written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, “Superstar” tells the story of the final seven days in the life of Jesus Christ through the troubled eyes of Judas Iscariot.

“We are thrilled to have Stacey direct for Big Noise,” said producer Marsha Rutenberg. “Stacey has directed a number of our ‘Especially for Kids’ productions, and we are very happy to have someone with her critical acclaim and qualifications at the helm for such an important main stage production. ”

The musical stars Jonathan Lee Cunningham (Schaumburg) in the title role, with Roy Brown (Prospect Heights) playing Judas and Lauren Paris (Chicago) as Mary. The production features Mike Weaver (Glencoe) as Pilate, Ken Rubenstein (Chicago) as Caiaphas, Saja Blevins (Streamwood) as Annas, Nick Bailey (Rolling Meadows) as Peter, Tommy Bullington (Chicago) as Herod and Jeremy Sonkin (Chicago) as Simon.

Appearing as apostles, ensemble and priests are Matthias Austin (Wheaton), Christie Burgess (Wheeling), Danielle Davis (Chicago), Danae Ervin (Chicago), Mary Franke (Chicago), Michael Graf (Arlington Heights), David Hathaway (Chicago), Dwyane Johnson (Indiana), Rusty Koenig (Chicago), Kyle Kuhlman (Chicago), Steve Malone (Chicago), Reid O’Connell (New Lenox), Ashley Preston (Chicago), Patrick Stengle (Chicago) Carrie Weis (Schaumburg), Brent Walker (Chicago), David Whitlock (Northbrook) and Crystal Corinne Wood (Chicago).

Big Noise will continue its season with the classic comedy “Born Yesterday” (Jan. 18-Feb. 3, 2013), to be directed by Catherine Davis; and the musical “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (April 26–May 12), directed and choreographed by Zachary L. Gray.