2009 ~ Jesus Christ Superstar

 

The blockbusting Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar was staged in Thurles a week before Easter, this was the perfect warm-up for Holy Week and the Thurles folks had been busy preparing for what was a massive show. Apart from the having a huge chorus, there was a wonderful set and stage design - a simple, yet extremely clever stage setting the scene for the last seven days of Jesus life.

Thurles, renowened nationwide for it's musical theatre talent rocked to the music of Lloyd Webber and the lyrics of Tim Rice, under the Direction of Tony Finnegan and his assistant Mary Butler. Musical Director/Conductor Mary Rose McNally were busy putting the cast and chorus through their vocal paces while Choreographers Rosalie Butler and Trisha McElgunn co-ordinated with the Director for the big scenes. And, with over 100 people on stage, this show was one of the biggest ever amateur productions staged in the Cathedral Town, posed significant challenges to Stage Manager Tommy Sweeney, Stage Director Rita Callanan and their respective teams. Challenges though that were overcome, as Tommy Sweeney took home Best Stage Manager for the fourth time in the Aims awards

Jesus Christ Superstar - a dramatised version of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, was the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage. The show was last staged in Thurles by an adult company in 1993. And, interestingly quite a few of the original cast and chorus are on stage again for the latest production, including John Scott who once again played the role of Caiaphas.

 

Cast & Crew :

Director: Tony Finnegan
Assistant Director: Mary Butler
Musical Director: MaryRose McNally
Choreographers: Rosalie Butler and Trisha McElgunn
Stage Manager: Tommy Sweeney
Stage Director: Rita Callanan

Characters :

Jesus.......................................... Brian Flanagan
Mary Magdalene....................... Linda Ryan
Judas .........................................Shane Willoughby
Peter...........................................Francis Butler
Herod..........................................David McElgunn
Pilate..........................................Derek Ryan
Simon......................................... Jonathan Gleeson
Caiaphas.................................... John Scott
Annas.........................................Diarmuid Vaughan
High Priests............................... John Hayes, Barry Derby, Donal Taylor
Maid (beside the fire).................Kate Lineen
2nd Lady ....................................Maria McElgunn
Apostles: Finbarr Shelley, John Butler, Dermot Murphy, Dean Rossiter, Philip Egan
Noel Dundon, Gerry O' Hagan, Frank Tuohy, Gary Dempsey
Apostles Wives: Maria McElgunn, Kate Lineen, Marie Ryan, Ciara Lanigan, Sarah Feehan,
Shelly Martin, Danielle Martin, Elaine Roche, Joan Farrell, Emma Lyons, Annette O'Gorman, Michelle O'Connell

Chorus Members:

Mary Callanan, Josephine Doyle, Ann Heffernan, Sylvia Moloney, Phil Munroe, Fiona Clancy, Mary O'Flynn, Annette O'Gorman, Carol Ryan, Siobhan King, Breda Byrne, Anne Marie Dunne, Veronica Dunne, Joan Farrell, Margaret Molumby, Ciara Lanigan, Deirdre Lanigan, Maria McElgun, Trisha McElgunn, Rosalie Butler, Carol Ronayne, Ber Ryan, Laura Ryan, Linda Ryan, Kate Ryan, Nina Scott, Tara Gallagher, Anne Marie Dixon,Christine Brien, Jane Martin, Margaret Long, Mary Long, Mary Moore, Niamh Irwin.

Brian Gleeson, Dixie Byrne, Frank Macken, Frankie McGaigue, Jack Hickey, Mick OBrien, P.J. Maher, Michael Molumby, Pat Hayes, Paul Stapelton, Shane Coy, Zack O'Connell, Michael Hickey, John Doyle, Geraint Fyler, Tomas Lanigan Ryan, Sean Byrne, Liam Crowe, Kevin Kennedy, Jim Kennedy.

 

Children's Chorus:

Adam Derby, Katie Taylor, Conor O'Hagan, Aine Scott, Emma Moore, Emer Byrne, Jenny Irwin, Clodagh Irwin, Rachel Butler, Michelle Stapelton, Darragh Byrne, Aisling O'Hagan, Darina Sweeney, Claire Scott, Cliodhna Treacy, Jenny Byrne, Eimear Irwin, Megan Shanahan.