Little Theatre, Narrows Center team up for first time with 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

This team-up is going to rock .

It’s going to rock so much, in fact, that only a rock opera could possibly express how much.

Little Theatre of Fall River and the Narrows Center for the Arts have teamed up to present “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the beloved musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

This is the 90th season for LTFR, and this is the first time ever that they’re working with the Narrows to present a show there.

Tickets are not only sold out, they’ve been sold out for a while, with performances slated for May 3 and 4.

That’s a testament to the enthusiasm of the audience for both groups, as well as the power and draw of collaboration.

This production is directed by Jared Robinson, LTFR publicity chairperson, Fall River native and Durfee High School graduate. Robinson recently directed “Fun Home” and “Spring Awakening,” and is the lead singer of Zoink Zulag & the Galactic Shag.

The cast is a mix of more than 20 “incredibly skilled performers with various backgrounds in the arts,” said Robinson. “Some folks have trained at Boston Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, others have toured around the country in the music scene, and several have 30-plus years of teaching experience. It's just an amazing group representing the best of Fall River, Boston, and Providence. The best part is they are all great people!”

Robinson also noted that some local favorites include Jillian Zucco Ledogar, Ryan Connearney as Herod, and Nick Kozak as Pilate.

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What led to Little Theatre's collaboration with the Narrows

This collaboration between Little Theatre and the Narrows has been a long time in the making.

It started even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Narrows Executive Director Patrick Norton said in a phone interview.

The Narrows and Little Theatre had been attending monthly meetings put together by the Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition.

“All these non-profits and these arts organizations have little to no staffing; super volunteer. That’s the general thing,” Norton said. “Collaboration is hard to do when you’re just trying to keep your head above water, when you’re doing your own thing. ‘Easy to say, harder to do,’ I always say. So these meetings were very helpful in bringing people together.”

Norton also credited the “late great Kathy Castro” for initially proposing the idea that the Narrows and Little Theatre should do something together.

Castro was the founder of O Jornal and a champion of the local arts scene , who passed away earlier this year.

“She was a big mover in the Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition,” Norton said. “She was also someone who’d been very prominently involved with Little Theatre for many, many years. And she’d been a friend of mine, a friend of the Narrows for a long time.

“It’s bittersweet: unfortunately Kathy is no longer with us. But her spirit and her push was really key to making this happen,” Norton said.

As everyone in the community sought a return to normalcy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this collaboration is just now seeing everything fall into place, and the show ready to go on.

Robinson followed up with Norton later in 2023 — Norton said he believed it was in September — and they were able to make this happen.

"The Narrows is one of the premier venues for live music in New England and it’s right down the street from our home, The Firebarn,” Robinson said. “It’s an amazing space that really captures the spirit of an historic, blue-collar mill town.”

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As for what led to the choice to present “Jesus Christ Superstar”:

“We wanted to present something unique for not only our regular audiences, but for the entire local community,” Robinson said. “So many folks grew up listening to the legendary ‘brown album’ with Ian Gillan, or they watched the 1973 film with Ted Neeley, or maybe they saw a local production of the show that made them fall in love with live theater. It’s just one of those rare shows that people from all backgrounds seem to love and have a passion for.”

Norton said, “He started talking about it and, I think, ‘This, it’s a real winner,’ because ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is also going to appeal to the Narrows audience as well.”

It’s been sold out for over a month, so audiences are certainly enthusiastic for it.

“Our fans have really taken to it, and the Little Theatre crowd, so it’s going to be really nice,” Norton said.

Given the success of this first collaboration, audiences can look forward to this partnership continuing in the future.

“I’m hoping the partnership with the Narrows Center for the Arts is something that will continue well beyond our 90th season!” Robinson said.

Norton was as enthusiastic for this partnership to continue.

“When you have success, that’s a real motivator,” Norton said. “We had success right out of the gate with this thing. We don’t know what the next thing will be, but I know it’ll be something.”

Narrows gearing up for South Coast Rail

Norton also spoke of a wider collaboration down the road, involving more local arts organizations, to bring street theater back to the city.

Also down the road, or rather, track, is the potential unlocked when South Coast Rail is up and running. It would open up local venues to wider audiences and bring in even more outside exposure for the local arts scene.

Norton noted that weekend service would be key for local arts events.

“People from not just Boston, but anywhere north of Fall River, can take the train to Fall River, walk, go to an event, get back on the train, and get home at night on a Saturday night,” Norton said. “It’s going to be key to have at least one late-night service train going to the Boston area. I think that would be helpful.”

What's coming up at Little Theatre

It’s going to be a busy season for both Little Theatre and the Narrows.

After “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Little Theatre will present “Peace, Love, and Music,” a tribute to the music of the 1960s. Performances will be on May 17 and 18 at The Firebarn, 340 Prospect St., Fall River. Find tickets online at www.littletheatre.net/fundraising-events .

Narrows announces free summer concert

Norton also revealed that the Narrows will soon have a big announcement, about a free concert this summer:

“We’re doing this event called ‘Take Me To The River.’ It’s going to be on Aug. 24. It’s going to be a free concert at the Thomas Norton City Pier .”

Norton said they’re not revealing who will be playing the concert just yet, but noted that they’ve “got three great bands.”

This production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” appears to be just the beginning of a long partnership between Little Theatre and the Narrows, as they and other arts organizations continue to expand and celebrate the local cultural scene.

“Fall River’s got a lot to offer,” Norton said.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com . Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Little Theatre, Narrows Center team up for first time with 'Jesus Christ Superstar'