By Bobbie Flatt (BF)
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| JCS Director Danny Harvey |
The actors are on stage to present this magnificent story to you, behind the scenes is the presence of those who manage the production. The Producer, the Director, The Choreographer, The Musical Director, the Stage Manager and all of their Department Heads and Assistants. Together, they are all the complete essence of team work, collaboration and community.
Today we speak to the Director of Jesus Christ Superstar – Danny Harvey
BF - Tell us a little about your directing background.
DH - My first directing Gig was with GLOBE back in 2003 with Cabaret, I have had the pleasure of directing a few more with this company, including last season’s Man of La Mancha, other than that I work with The Rose Theatre Brampton as an Artistic Director
BF - What is Jesus Christ Superstar about?
DH – Jesus Christ Superstar, is the last 5 days of Jesus’ life as told from the point of view of Judas Iscariot
BF - What made you want to direct this show? Why is it your passion?
DH - When I was younger I used to listen to the concept album over and over until I nearly wore it out. Something about the rawness of emotion and humanity of the story appealed to me. It places the idea of Jesus being a regular human being with fear and doubt in our minds yet it still manages to avoid being blasphemous.
BF - What specifically are you attempting to demonstrate to the audience with this show?
DH - I always like to leave an audience thinking about what they believe. I want to show that every person can relate to this story.
BF - What do you want your audience to walk away with?
DH - My goal as a director is to make people feel, I want you to feel entertained first and foremost. Moreover I want the audience to be amazed that entertainment like this is happening in their own back yard.
BF - What is the style in which you intend to present this story? Will it be the classic version?
DH - Theatre evolves constantly that is what makes it interesting. I am trying to place this show in an “anytime” borrowing costumes and props from several eras.
BF - How much creative license will you take with this story?
DH - As much as you can take with the most famous story there is. The score already takes a creative license, I am simply here to humanize it and tell it.
BF - What is your overall goal with this production?
DH - Simply to entertain
BF - What size is your cast? How do you manage to move and create with that many people who all have their own ideas?
DH - Around 27, moving people and creating a scene is easy when everyone has the same goal, my job is to take all the ideas, opinions and facts and distil them into something palatable.
BF - What were you looking for to cast these intense roles such as Jesus and Judas?
DH - The talent to pull it off and the passion to commit to the work
BF - What were you looking for in casting in general?
DH -I wanted to show a cross section of people, all ages, and all looks. This is a story for everyday people
BF - Is this show for any ages and suggested for families?
DH - It’s not for little kids but I fell in love with it when I was 12. As far as recommending a specific age to attend, parent's know what their children are capable of handling or understanding so they are best to make the decision, but, 10 -12 and up is a good guideline to attend this show. It could inspire a discussion.
BF - This is a rock opera. How is that different to direct from a scripted show with music interjected?
DH - Very very different, a book show with music interjected often does not advance the story put speaks on an emotion or a single point. A rock opera uses song and dance to tell stories, it is important for the music director, choreographer and director to all communicate to tell the story in a clear and concise manner.
BF - How do you collaborate with the MD and choreographer in a production like this?
DH - Openly and constantly. Always frank but never rude. Always listening to what they have to say. It is important we all respect each other’s disciplines to do otherwise would be arrogant and unproductive.
BF - You have directed shows such as Cabaret, Blood Brothers, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, Evita; your history in directing has drawn you more towards the darker, headier stories as opposed to the lighter fluffier musicals...Why?
DH - Its all about what entertains me; I like a story to be told. My diploma is in Comedy Writing and Performance, I am not afraid of light entertainment and I have done quite a bit of it. However feeling through the real human emotions is cathartic. It brings me closer to myself and my fellow travelers of the world. Dissecting tragedy and retelling it makes me a more empathetic and better person.
BF -How does directing professional theatre and community theatre differ?
DH - Greatly, professional shows are rehearsed across 2 or 3 very intense weeks. Community theatre is a much longer process allowing for friendships and relationships to develop, it’s a social club as much as anything else. Professional theatre is also social but it is also everyone’s “job” so there is a different energy. I find talent is rarely the difference; many professional actors still do community theatre because they simply love it. It really is the truest form of theatre.
BF - Community theatre is very much about family, family in the sense of Community and in the genealogy sense of the word.
I understand there are several family members husbands, wives, sons/daughters, brothers/sisters, grandparents in many of the Globe shows including Jesus Christ Superstar.
Can you talk about these two aspects of the family and the effects it has on the production?
DH - My fiancé and mother are both in this production, also many of my closest friends. It’s an incredible feeling to all build towards one common goal. Its like an old time barn raising, everyone has their skills, we communicate, argue, laugh cry and in the end we have created something tangible and real and we get to share it with other people.
BF - What's next for you?
DH - I am working on Cabaret and Romeo and Juliet at the Rose Theatre Brampton summer series.
Jesus Christ Superstar runs May 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 @ 8pm and May 8 @ 2pm
Christ the King Catholic High School, Guelph Street, Georgetown
For tickets call 906-877-3700
Or online www.haltonhills.ca/theatre
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