Perhaps bolstering the crowd's enthusiasm was the Circus' abandoning its traditional behind the ear microphone system in favor of the wrap-around variety for the principle actors that brought the mike straight to the mouth, resulting in the crowd enjoying the cleanest and crispest singing of any production to date.

Jesus Christ Superstar is the story of Jesus' final week of life, the lives he touched, his betrayal by Judas, and ultimately his crucifiction at the hands of Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas and Annas. This 1972 "rock opera" with music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, last appeared at the Music Circus in 1984, and was perhaps the most anticipated show to appear at Music Circus this season.

Starring in the title role of Jesus is Eric Kunze, who has starred in the Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, and Damn Yankees. Kunze put in a very strong performance, with a wide range of vocals, but perhaps was overshadowed by the performance of Broadway actor Lawrence Clayton, who starred as Judas. Superstar really centers more on the Judas character and Jesus' life as seen through his eyes.

Coincidently, Clayton last appeared in Sacramento during a prior run of Superstar when he played Simon. On Broadway he has appeared in the productions of Dreamgirls and High Rollers Social Pleasure Club. After a strong performance throughout the production, Clayton got to hurl himself out over the orchestra pit in Judas' hanging-death scene and then later returned with the "Soul Girls" for a absolutely terrific rendition of "Superstar" which floored the crowd.

Judy McLane, star of several Music Circus performances over the past few seasons appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalene, a prostitute who has befriended Jesus and has fallen in love with him. McLane did a superb rendition of "I Don't Know How to Love Him," as well as joining in on "Everything's Alright." The whole cast of Superstar did a fantastic job and the revamped sound system made for a production that Sacramento theatre-goers will not soon forget.

While Superstar was the final production in the Music Circus season, Sacramento Light Opera Association wastes no time jumping into their Broadway Series with Carousel, which runs at the Community Center Theatre, Aug. 27-Sept. 1. Carousel is the first of six Broadway musicals that will appear over the coming months in Sacramento. capped off with the June 3-15 run of Phantom of the Opera. Other shows include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," (Oct. 1-6); Cats, (Dec. 31-Jan. 5); Hello, Dolly!, (Feb. 4-9); and Into the Woods (Apr. 8-13). For information and tickets, call The Broadway Series box office at (916) 557-1999. Reviewed by Joe Blenkle