Monroe's Mike Katz performs in CRT's Jesus Christ Superstar

STORRS: Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) announces the casting for the final production of the 2018 Nutmeg Summer Series: “Jesus Christ Superstar”, the iconic rock opera based on the last week of Jesus’ life that has blown away audiences for over 40 years. CRT Nutmeg Summer Series Artistic Director Terrence Mann directs. “Jesus Christ Superstar” stars Mike Katz of Monroe, CT in the ensemble alongside Alex Prakken (Jesus), Ryan Vona (Judas) and Jonathan Cobrda (Pontius Pilate). Tickets are on sale at crt.uconn.edu or 860-486-2113.

A timeless work, set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally-known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. The incredible score featuring well-known songs as “Superstar”, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane”, will captivate audiences and have everyone asking what’s the buzz?

Mike Katz was most recently seen in the ensemble of Disaster! The Musical. He says, “Connecticut Repertory Theatre has been life changing this summer! From the professionalism of everyone on the production team and in the cast, to the caliber of shows we opened, I’ve learned so much about myself as an artist. Putting on a show in a few short weeks has been exhilarating in so many different aspects. The people I’ve got to work with all bring such an incredible energy to the productions. I cannot wait for everyone to see the final production of the Nutmeg summer stock season, Jesus Christ Super Star. It is not one you want to miss.”

Director Terrence Mann most recently performed in CRT’s “Sweeney Todd”. He appeared as the title character in “Jerry Spring: The Opera” off-Broadway this past winter. Most recently, Mann performed on Broadway in “Tuck Everlasting”. Other Broadway credits include: “Les Miserables,” “Cats,” “Barnum,” and the Tony winning revival of “Pippin.” Mann has performed in several CRT productions, including “My Fair Lady”, “Man of La Mancha”, “Peter Pan”, and “Les Miserables: A Musical Celebration”. He also directed CRT Nutmeg Summer Series productions of “1776”, “Les Misérables: A Musical Celebration” and “Pirates of Penzance”.

Christopher d’Amboise worked closely with George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Peter Martins as a Principal dancer with New York City Ballet. On Broadway he earned a Tony nomination co-starring with Bernadette Peters in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance. He also appeared in On Your Toes with Leslie Caron. His television appearances include, The Kennedy Center Honors, featured performance for Honoree Jerome Robbins as well as for his father, Jacques d’Amboise. He performed in the Oscar and Emmy-winning documentary He Makes Me Feel Like Dancing as well as in the Jerome Robbins awarding-winning Television Special, Live from Studio 8H.

Alex Prakken will debut at CRT as Jesus. Most recently, he performed in the original touring cast for “Newsies”. Prakken has also done regional work, performing noticeably as Marius in “Les Misérables” at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre (the Muny) and as Jesus previously at Shooting Star Productions.

Ryan Vona makes his CRT debut as Judas. Vona performed on Broadway in “Cirque du Soleil Paramour” (Joey), most recently, and in Broadway’s “Once.” Regional credits include Pittsburgh CLO, Sharon Playhouse & the Boston Premiere of “The Valentine Trilogy” for which he received an IRNE nomination for Best Actor.

Jonathan Cobrda returns to the CRT stage to play Pontius Pilate. His other CRT performances include “Les Miserables: A Musical Celebration”, “Peter and the Starcatcher” and “Peter Pan”. Recently, Cobrda performed in the Off-Broadway production of “Frankenstein: A New Musical” (Victor Frankenstein). Other regional credits include: “Guys and Dolls,” “The Light in the Piazza,” “The Sound of Music,” “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Ragtime,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and “Rent.”

The production team includes Terrence Mann (Director), Christopher d’Amboise (Choreographer), Tim Brown (Scenic Design), Fan Zhang (Costume Design), Doug Harry (Lighting Design), Michael Vincent Skinner (Sound Design), John Parmalee (Technical Director), Bryan McAdams (Music Director) and James Mountcastle (Production Stage Manager).

The cast will also include Griffin Binnicker (King Herod), Sasha Renae Brown (Mary Magdalene), Will Bryant (Peter), Tyler Grigsby (Caiaphas), Simon Longnight (Simon Zealots), Bryan Mittlestadt (Annas), Jamie Colburn, Maddie Dunn, Annelise Henry, Nick Nudler, Jovick Pavajeau-Orostegui, Hayden Elizabeth Price, Paige Smith, Shaylen Harger, and Andy Viviano (Ensemble).

Performance and Ticket Information

Evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Subscription package options range from $84 to $117. Single tickets prices start at $48. Discounts are available for seniors and students.

The performance on Saturday, July 21 at 2 p.m. will be ASL interpreted.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. For additional ticket information or to purchase tickets by phone, call 860.486.2113. To purchase tickets online, visit www.crt.uconn.edu. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change. Single tickets are now on sale.

The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, CT.

CRT’s Community Partners for the Nutmeg Summer Series include Savings Institute Bank and Trust, Dog Lane Café, Mansfield Downtown Partnership and XL Color.

Jesus Christ Superstar July 2018

July 12; Preview 7:30 p.m.

July 13; Opening 8 p.m.

July 14; 2 p.m. / 8 p.m.

July 15; 2 p.m.

July 17; 7:30 p.m.

July 18; 7:30 p.m.

July 19; 7:30 p.m.

July 20; 8 p.m.

July 21; 2 p.m. / 8 p.m.

July 22; 2 p.m.

CRT is the professional producing arm of the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Connecticut, Storrs. CRT productions are directed, designed by and cast with visiting professional artists, including Equity actors, faculty members and the department’s most advanced student artists. The synergy between professional and advanced student artists creates extraordinary theatre and a unique learning environment.

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