MidWeek MasterClass Memory: Brandon Victor Dixon’s Performance As Judas In NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar


MidWeek MasterClass Memory: Brandon Victor Dixon’s Performance As Judas In NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar

So, I realize I am a little late to the show here, but I could not let another minute go by without addressing Brandon Victor Dixon’s electrifying performance as Judas in NBC’s live production of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.

Full disclosure: I did not see the entire production but I did watch various performances by John Legend as Jesus, Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, Alice Cooper as the villainous King Herod and, of course, the star of the show, Brandon Victor Dixon. All the artists, dancers, musicians were so, SO good.

But, Judas is the star and, in fact, in every performance I have seen of this musical, Judas is the main character in this show. This is not to take anything away from any of the other performances. It is fact. And this is saying a great deal because the music from this show is outstanding and all the principal characters have the gift of brilliantly crafted songs.

However, the Judas character is an omnipresence throughout and requires a strong, confident and charismatic presence. And those qualities were aptly filled by Brandon Victor Dixon, of Hamilton fame. Yes, Hamilton. So, that explains everything.

I have watched his performance numerous times over the last couple of days and I marvel at how glorious his technical control and choreographic skills mesh together. He makes it look so easy and yet the artistic skills he displays cannot be underestimated.

Have a look and listen at a true MasterClass Performance. His voice is a little shaky at the beginning but all that fades to oblivion as his experience and fortitude and discipline take over. What a star. Kudos Brandon Victor Dixon.

You can stream or pre-order Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack on April 6th 2018 on Apple Music

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici

3 Responses to “MidWeek MasterClass Memory: Brandon Victor Dixon’s Performance As Judas In NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar”

  1. My favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is Phantom of the Opera. I’ve seen it in person on Broadway 3 or 4 times.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. His performance was outstanding. I had never heard of him before but he more than held his own with the big name performers.

    The one problem I had with the production was that Sara Bareilles wasn’t miked well during her first song. It was hard to hear her. I’m a fan of Sara anyway and enjoyed her in this role. As a side note, as I have said before, she would be an excellent addition to American Idol as a judge. She was very good in that role on the Sing Off and could only be an improvement.

    I was impressed with John Legend in the role of Jesus in this production. He pulled off the humble yet authoritative role very well and offered some pretty impressive vocals as well.

    I think this production is available through “On Demand” on your cable system. Mine is down right now so I can’t check it.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I watched it live on TV and recorded a copy on my DVD-VCR player. The only problem I had was that my cable provider, Comcast, froze for a few minutes during the opening number.

    Liked by 1 person

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