BroadwaySF Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s
Jesus Christ Superstar at Old First Presbyterian Church
James Mochizuki Recalls the Premiere
Recently James Mochizuki contacted Old First Presbyterian Church with memories of the West Coast premiere of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice stage musical Jesus Christ, Superstar. Originally a concept album, several unlicensed productions of the album as live theater had been shut down by US courts, including one attempted in San Francisco. (See Herb Caen’s column of April 25, 1972.)
Mochizuki Writes:
2021 is the 50th anniversary of the west coast premiere of Jesus Christ Superstar at Old First Presbyterian Church. BroadwaySF is commemorating this with a run of the rock opera at the Golden Gate Theatre this October… I was a cast member of this production…
In 1971, Michael Thistle acquired the rights from Robert Stigwood… to stage Jesus Christ Superstar in San Francisco. He enlisted St. John of God Catholic Church and Old First Presbyterian Church members – Aaron Gelb, Ken Jakobs, John Durden, and Janice Clark – as major cast members.
The show opened at Old First Presbyterian Church, San Francisco in October 1971 simultaneously with the Broadway opening. In January 1972 the production became more professional with the influx of talent from American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco State, and City College of San Francisco to supplement the church cast.
The then Sharon McKnight directed. (She would subsequently change her name to “Sharon McNight” prior to launching an illustrious cabaret and Broadway acting career.) Authentic period costumes were designed by Carol-Anne Llewelyn. This was in stark contrast to the over-top-top sci-fi costumes of the Broadway cast. Harry Groener played Jesus. (He is now a mainstay on Broadway and was Tony-nominated for Cats.) Donovan Scott was Herod. (He is now a successful screen actor.) Jon Buffington had the role of Judas. (His next show would be Godspell.) The show ran until June 1972 with Thistle playing the role of Annas for the entire run. Every night in the run was a full house. In the San Francisco tradition, there were no advance sales. Just like Fillmore West down the street, the line snaked around the block and people were turned away when all seats were filled. The exception was closing night when standing room was permitted.
Further Cast Members
Mike Thistle and I were parishioners at St. John of God Catholic Church… Sadly, Mike Thistle passed away some years back… But I have kept in contact with Sharon McNight (still performing) and fellow cast member, soprano Jamie Warren (Stehula)… [who] played Pilate’s wife and was backup singer on the title song “Jesus Christ Superstar.” She went on to join San Luis Obispo Opera… Jon Buffington, [who played Judas], was ordained during the run as a priest in the Catholic Syro-Chaldean rite. He was able to finish his next role in Godspell for ACT at the Marines Memorial through 1973 before starting his call.
Hosanna, Superstar!
James Mochizuki
Excerpt from Pioneer Community of Faith:
Old First Presbyterian Church 1849-1999 by Stephen L. Taber
In his history of Old First, Stephen Taber recounts the calling of the Reverend Glenda Hope as assistant pastor in 1970 – the first woman minister in the then Synod of the Golden Gate – and her efforts to invite a younger generation into Old First:
Hope was able to attract many young people into the church through a ministry which emphasized what seemed to many in the congregation to be extreme and radical, including “contemporary” worship services and a very popular production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ, Superstar, the first production of that popular musical in the San Francisco Bay Area (the theology of which [John] Bodo [pastor of Old First 1969-72] challenged in a sermon). Hope left Old First in October of 1972, after having generated a great deal of controversy…
Old First Presbyterian Church thanks James Mochizuki for reminding us of Old First’s ministry in the 1970s and for sharing his scrapbook with us. And Old First remains ever grateful to Glenda Hope, now retired, for her enduring legacy of forward-thinking ministry.