Broadway News
Jesus Christ Superstar Cast Announced
Though the last production of Jesus Christ Superstar to run on Broadway (back in 2000) was a supreme flop, garnering terrible reviews and closing after just five months, Broadway producers think now is the time to try again. The new production is scheduled to begin previews on March 1, 2012 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, with an official opening date slated for March 22.
This specific production started at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada last year. It was such a wild success that, following the Canadian run, it transferred (with nearly the entire cast) to the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California, where it is currently running. Jesus Christ Superstar filled Finding Neverland's slot in the La Jolla fall lineup after the Weinstein Company pulled Finding Neverland, claiming it wasn't yet ready for performances.
The musical, written in 1971 by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, tells the story of the last few days of Jesus's life... via a pop/rock score. The current production is directed by Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, The Who's Tommy), whose work on the show has been highly praised by critics and Andrew Lloyd Webber himself.
The entire La Jolla Playhouse cast will come with the show to Broadway. The leading actors include: Paul Nolan (Jesus), Josh Young (Judas), Chilina Kennedy (Mary Magdalene), Bruce Dow (King Herod), Tom Hewitt (Pontius Pilate), Marcus Nance (Caiaphas) and Aaron Walpole (Annas). Completing the cast will be Matt Alfano as Thaddeus, Mary Antonini as Elizabeth, Karen Burthwright as Ruth, Jacqueline Burtney as Mary (Martha's Sister), Mark Cassius as Matthew, Ryan Gifford as Bartholomew, Kaylee Harwood as Sarah, Jeremy Kushnier as James the Lesser/Priest, Mike Nadajewski as Peter, Melissa O'Neil as Martha/Maid by the Fire, Laurin Padolina as Rachel, Katrina Reynolds as Esther, Jaz Sealey as Thomas, Jason Sermonia as John, Julius Sermonia as James, Lee Siegel as Simon Zealotes, Jonathan Winsby as Phillip, Sandy Winsby as Andrew, and Krista Leis and Matthew Rossoff as swings.
Photo credit: David Hou
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