Smyrna native takes stage in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ on The Murfreesboro Post

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Smyrna native takes stage in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

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By: By ERIN EDGEMON, Business Editor

Smyrna native takes stage in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Smyrna native Tiffini Dodson does a scene with Ted Neeley.

Smyrna native Tiffini Dodson will be performing for a hometown crowd when she steps onto the stage of Nashville’s Tennessee Performing Acts Center as Mary Magdalene in the national touring production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

It is the Smyrna High School graduate’s second season starring in the groundbreaking theatrical production by legendary writing team Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

“I am excited to perform for my family and friends that I haven’t seen in a number of years,” Dodson said in a phone interview from a tour stop in Hartford, Conn.

This season Dodson, a 2004 graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, is starring alongside international star Ted Neeley, who portrayed Jesus Christ in the 1973 film version of the play, and Corey Glover, best known as the lead singer of the platinum selling rock band Living Colour, playing Judas.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” is a rock opera of “the greatest story ever told.” It tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

“The only way I can accurately describe ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is that it’s truly timeless,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC’s president and chief executive officer in a released statement. “This rock opera has been, well, rocking for decades and is still a significant, well received, important piece of theater. And it’s amazing that audiences have the undeniable treat of seeing Ted Neeley in the role he is best known for. The production is only here for three performances, so tickets will go fast.”

Dodson, 26, said she feels lucky to be a part of such a legendary production with a huge fan base.

“To be the leading lady, it is definitely a blessing,” she said. “It was all of the small steps it took to get there have finally come into place.”

A singer since the fifth grade, Dodson didn’t begin acting until her senior year of high school. She became focused on singing, acting and dancing while attending Belmont University.

With dreams of making it on Broadway, Dodson moved to New York City in April 2006 to pursue a career in musical theater.

“I knew it was something that I wanted to do,” she said of the move. “It was something that came about really quick.”

She auditioned for roles every morning before going to work as a waitress at Saks Fifth Avenue.

But five months after arriving in the Big Apple, Dodson was cast in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Dodson said she expects to have some butterflies in her stomach before stepping foot on the Nashville stage. She admits she still gets a little nervous before performing in large venues and sold-out crowds.

Her second season in the seven-month touring production has allowed her to truly learn about and embody the complicated character of Mary Magdalene.

Not to mention, this season has allowed her to work with and learn from Neeley, who is widely respected for playing Jesus in the production.

“He is like in his 60s and is still rocking out the songs,” Dodson said of Neeley. “He is so alive onstage and always doing something new.”

She has spent hours listening and talking to the performer.

“It is more of me wanting to soak up all of the knowledge that I can,” Dodson said.

Now, Dodson is just trying to get used to the attention she is receiving from “Jesus Christ Superstar” fans.

“It is neat to have people yelling out your name and wanting your autograph,” she said.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” runs May 30-31, 2008 in the Andrew Jackson Hall at Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), 505 Deaderick St, Nashville

Tickets are $20-$66 for single tickets, depending on performance day and seat locations. Tickets are available at www.tpac.org/superstar and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Keep up with Tiffini Dodson by visiting her Web site at www.tiffinidodson.com.

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Member Opinions:

By: Hello-out-there on 5/20/08
This is my favorite play and I am excited about seeing it again. Good luck, Tiffini! Or is it still "break a leg."

By: Hello-out-there on 5/31/08
I went to see JCS today. WONDERFUL, FABULOUS, MAGNIFICENT! Tiffini did a wonderful job and Ted Neeley....beyond words. I left blessed.