What would happen if Jesus lived today instead of 2000 years ago? That�s the question asked by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice when they wrote their phenomenally successful rock opera, �Jesus Christ Superstar.� Rocking across the Ashtabula Arts Center�s main stage, �Superstar,� which tells the story of the last seven days of Jesus� life, will run June 24, 25, 26, July 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16 and 17. All shows begin at 8:00 p.m.

Josh Theilan of Geneva plays the role of �Jesus.� Theilan played the role once before in 1994, in a previous Arts Center production. �I love this show,� Theilan says. �It�s like a constant rock concert.� Theilan became interested in performing at a very early age. �I started singing when I was three years old,� he says. �As I was growing up I would see the bigger kids performing every year at the Grape Jamboree in Geneva. I always said that �Someday I want to do that.�� Theilan played sports for a while. Then when he entered his freshman year of high school he got involved in theater. �After that I stopped playing sports and spent all of my free time doing plays. I�ve continued to perform into my adult years because it is such a total release. When you work forty hours a week at your job, it�s nice to have something to do after hours that you really love.� Theilan will next be serving as director for the Arts Center�s production of �South Pacific� which opens on August 5th.

�Superstar� was controversial when it debuted in 1971. Today, however, the play is usually viewed as simply a secular play with wonderful music that tells the story of Jesus. �In the 70�s, using rock music to tell the story of the Son of God was contentious and sacrilegious,� says Debra Greene-Lowe, the director of �Superstar.� �On another level, I believe Rice� and Webber�s take on the story, from the perspective not of Mark or Matthew, but rather from the protagonist Judas, was a point of view that was rather jarring. (But telling the story this way) forces us to realize that without Judas� betrayal, the rest of the story might not have happened.�

Playing one of Jesus� disciples is Charlie Bunch of Jefferson. Bunch, an active and enthusiastic member of the Central Missionary Baptist Church in Jefferson, got involved with �Jesus Christ Superstar� because of it�s inspiring message. �The play sends a very Christian message,� says Bunch. �Jesus Christ lived a life of betrayal with people around him hating him and wanting him to be crucified. His last days on earth were very trying and turbulent.�

While rehearsing for the show, Bunch feels inspired by the music, even to the point of rising to his feet to dance off-stage while fellow cast members are singing their parts. �Even though this is a rock opera, it tells a very true story. I hope that the show will give members of the audience a desire to take Jesus away with them and accept him into their lives.�

Tickets for �Jesus Christ Superstar� are on sale now and reservations can be made by calling the Arts Center at (440) 964-3396. Patron seating is $12, Adults $10, Seniors $9 and Students/Children $8.