Presented by Aled Jones
Aled Jones celebrates the world of musical theatre from Sunderland Empire with special guests Keith Jack, Steve Balsamo and Tabitha Webb. Paul Nicholas recalls playing the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar and Craig Chalmers reveals what it's like to bring the Bible to life in the touring production of Joseph. There are favourite songs to singalong to from Godspell, Joseph and The Sound of Music and Sir Tim Rice reflects on the challenge of translating the Easter story onto the stage.
Aled Jones
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was filmed at the Wales Millennium Centre which was the last location of the Chitty UK tour. You can find more information at www.chittythemusical.co.uk.
Contributors
In order of appearance
Ian Bradley
Dr Ian Bradley is a lecturer at St Andrews University. He is the author of 'You've Got to Have a Dream, The Message of the Musical'. He teaches a course on the theology of musicals - which is one of his passions.
Keith Jack
Edinburgh's Keith Jack was runner up in the BBC TV series 'Any Dream Will Do'. After performing in the touring production of 'Joseph' he is now focussing on a solo career. His debut album 'This Time' has been released and he releases the single, 'If an Angel Falls From Heaven' in December. You can find more information at http://www.keithjack.com/index2.html.
Craig Chalmers
Craig was also one of the 'Josephs' from the BBC TV series 'Any Dream Will Do'. He now plays Joseph in the touring 'Joseph' musical and we filmed with him when the production was playing at the Sunderland Empire. For tour information see www.kenwright.com and for more information about Craig see www.craig-chalmers.com.
Antony Hansen
Antony is another 'Any Dream Will Do' finalist and plays Pharoah in the touring 'Joseph' musical. For tour information see www.kenwright.com.
Tabitha Webb
Tabitha won the BBC Choirgirl of the Year competition in 1995 and can currently be seen performing in Les Miserables - www.lesmis.com. We filmed with her at The Queens Theatre in London where it is currently playing and also with friends at Her Majesty's Theatre where Phantom of the Opera is staged. www.thephantomoftheopera.com/london/. Tabitha is represented by Stephanie Evans - www.stephanie-evans.com/ but also has her own website - www.tabithawebb.com.
John and Anna Surridge
John and Anna saw the UK touring production of Godspell which came to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff earlier this year. To find on what else is going on there see www.wmc.org.uk/. For more information about Godspell you might want to check out www.StephenSchwartz.com which is the official website of the Musical's composer.
Sir Tim Rice
Sir Tim Rice is the lyricist for many musicals - including 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Evita' and 'Chess'. He has a website which is www.timrice.co.uk.
Paul Nicholas
Paul won the role of Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar 'in 1972 and was the first person to take on the role in the UK. He is represented by Phil Dale at International Artistes, 4th Floor, Holborn Hall, 193 - 197 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BD T: 020 7025 0600
Steve Balsamo
Steve played Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in the West End during the 1990s. He is now a singer-songwriter. His band The Storys have their own website - http://www.thestorys.co.uk/index.php and have supported artists like Elton John in concert. Steve and the band are represented by John Waller - john@johnwaller.net.
STAGECOACH CHOIR
Our onstage choir of children came from Newcastle and Sunderland branches of Stagecoach Theatre Arts - a part time Theatre School. The youngsters learn singing, acting and dance in lessons each week. The school regularly provides choirs for the touring shows which appear at the Empire. For more information about what classes are taking place near you: www.stagecoach.co.uk.
STAGE BAND
Conductor: Noel Tredinnick
Musical Director / Keys: Ray Monk
Keys: Simon Chamberlain
Drums: Brett Morgan
Bass Guitar: Trevor Barry
Electric Guitar: Mitch Dalton
Percussion: Frank Ricotti
Trombone: Christopher Dean
Trombone (and band fixer): Colin Sheen
Trumpet: Derek Watkins
Trumpet: Simon Gardner
Trumpet: Stuart Brooks
Sax: Phil Todd
Woodwind: Jamie Talbot
Woodwind: Dave Bishop
Music one:
Song: Any Dream Will Do
Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Words: Tim Rice
Arranger: Ray Monk
Publisher: Norrie Paramor
From: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Performers: Keith Jack + audience at Sunderland Empire + Band
+ Stagecoach choir + Conductor Noel Tredinnick
Music two:
Song: Close Every Door
Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Words: Tim Rice
Arranger: Ray Monk
Publisher: Norrie Paramor
From: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Performers: Keith Jack + audience at Sunderland Empire + Band
+ Stagecoach choir + Conductor Noel Tredinnick
Music three:
Song: Wishing you were somehow here again
Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Words: Charles Hart / Richard Stilgoe
Arranger: Ray Monk
Publisher: Really Useful
From: The Phantom of the Opera
Soloist: Tabitha Webb
The backing track was created by Ray Monk
Music four:
Song: Day by day
Music/words: Stephen Schwartz
Arranger: Ray Monk
Publisher: Valando Music
From: Godspell
Performers: Keith Jack + audience at Sunderland Empire + Stage Band + Stagecoach choir + Noel Tredinnick
Music five:
Song: Gethsemane
Composer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Words: Tim Rice
Arranger: Ray Monk
Publisher: Leeds Music
From: 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Soloist: Steve Balsamo
Accompanied by the Stage Band and conducted by Noel Tredinnick
Music six:
Song: Climb ev'ry mountain
Composer: Richard Rodgers
Words: Oscar Hammerstein
Arranger: Ray Monk
Publisher: Williamson
From: 'The Sound of Music'
Performers: Keith Jack + audience at Sunderland Empire + Stage Band + Stagecoach choir
Outside Broadcast Location
Sunderland Empire
High Street West
Sunderland. SR1 3WX
0870 602 1130 Box Office
0800 587 5007 Group Sales
0191 566 1051 Paul Ryan General Manager
The Sunderland Empire is is just over a hundred years old.
Laurel and Hardy have performed there as have The Beatles.
More recently the theatre has been refurbished and it houses some of the large touring productions - Miss Saigon, Starlight Express and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, to name a few. To see what is on go to:
www.sunderlandempire.org.uk
To see some behind the scenes pictures of our television recording go to: www.bbc.co.uk/wear/faith/
The Programme was produced and directed by David Taviner.