On the one hand, Staples Players’ summer productions had an advantage: Young actors could concentrate on their show without the distractions of school.
On the other hand, directors David Roth and Kerry Long had much less time to pull everything — acting, choreography, staging, sets, costumes, music — together.
The results were (of course) off-the-charts smashes.
Previous Players’ “nutshells” — highlight reels, compiled lovingly by former Staple High media teacher Jim Honeycutt, who taped all the shows — featured “Les Misérables” and “Rent.
This week it’s “Jesus Christ Superstar,” from the summer of 2011. Click here or below to see.
In the 15 years since the show, many of the actors have gone on to careers in entertainment. Among them:
Johnny Shea (Jesus) is a New York based actor. He has appeared in “Spring Awakening” and “Peter Pan” and more, at Goodspeed, Shakespeare Theater Chicago, Portland Stage Company and others.
Clay Singer (Judas) has extensive theater credits including “Masquerade” (New York), “Fiddler On the Roof” (St. Louis), “Perchik” (Westport), “The Band’s Visit” (North American tour), “Into the Woods” (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), “Next to Normal” (Vero Beach, Florida), “Man of La Mancha” (Westport), “Romeo and Juliet” and “Ragtime” and “The Full Monty” (both Pittsburgh).
Max Samuels (Pilate, Thaddeus) is a stage and screen actor known for his roles in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” He also appeared in “George Kaplan,” “Angry Young Man,” “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Brothers Karamazov.”
Audrey Twitchell (Annas) has appeared in many commercials, print ads and on television. In 2006 she originated the role of Lee Bouvier in the Broadway musical “Grey Gardens.” She lives and works in New York City.
Charlie Greenwald (Priest 3, Nathaniel, Tribe, Guard) is an actor, voiceover artist, comedian, copywriter and children’s book author. He has appeared in the Academy Award-winning film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and the TV special “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” (2018).
Matthew Van Gessel (Matthew) is an actor, director and writer. He played Isaac Goodenow in the “The Sudbury Devil,” appeared in the film “Bookworm,” was featured as an actor in the project RedDrop, and was cast as Father Rand in “The Vampires of New Orleans.”
Michelle Pauker (Mary Magdalene, Tribe) is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse). On July 5, her band Back to the Garden 1969 will perform at the Levitt Pavilion.
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Thank you!
Although I knew Clay was talented when I saw him in middle school, it was his role in Jesus Christ Superstar when I knew he was a star! Keep going Clay!