LEAD CAST AND MELBOURNE SEASON ANNOUNCED FOR JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
A Melbourne season has been announced today as part of the Australian tour of the award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated rock musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. The production will play at the Princess Theatre from March, following seasons in Sydney and Perth. Join the waitlist now to be first in line to buy tickets at jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au.
The lead cast members for this classic rock opera have also been revealed. In the title role of Jesus will be international recording artist Michael Paynter. Michael is a member of classic Australian band Icehouse, as well as the guitarist and vocalist in Australian icon Jimmy Barnes’ band, and performs live with Bachelor Girl, Killing Heidi, Delta Goodrem, Reece Mastin and many others. He has toured extensively in Australia and internationally, sharing arena and stadium stages with artists such as John Farnham, 5 Seconds of Summer, Miley Cyrus, Seal, Hall and Oates, and The Script.
Javon King, who astounded audiences last year for his role as Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Australian tour of Hairspray, will play Judas. His theatre credits include The Inheritance at fortyfivedownstairs and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at Chapel off Chapel, for which he won a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Javon toured the USA and internationally as Angel in the 20th and 25th Anniversary tours of Rent.
Powerhouse soul and blues vocalist Mahalia Barnes will take on her first stage role as Mary. Mahalia and her band The Soul Mates play to capacity crowds around the country, touring nationally and internationally alongside artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Mavis Staples, Joe Bonamassa, Bryan Adams and Tom Jones. She has recorded, toured and collaborated with the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Liam Gallagher, Beth Hart, George Benson, Robert Jon + The Wreck, Birds of Tokyo, Diesel, Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell to name a few.
Producer John Frost, on behalf of his co-producers, said: “I am delighted to be bringing this award-winning production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much loved rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to Melbourne next year. Australia has deep affection for this show, from the original concept album which was played in every household, to the original production starring Trevor White and Jon English, through to the sold-out arena performances starring John Farnham as Jesus.
“I’m very excited too that Michael, Javon and Mahalia are joining the cast. They are all extraordinary singers and musicians who will bring their unique experience and talent to these roles. I’m so looking forward to hearing them singing in rehearsals those classic songs like Heaven On Their Minds, What’s the Buzz and I Don’t Know How To Love Him.”
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.
A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for decades, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’s iconic 1970s rock score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971. The original Australian production opened at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney in May 1972, followed by seasons at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne and other cities, playing for more than 700 performances. The original London production ran for over eight years. By the time it closed after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR has been reproduced regularly around the world in the years since its first appearance, including a Broadway revival in 2012, an ITV competition TV show called Superstar that led to casting Ben Forster as Jesus for an arena tour of the show, and a production at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre celebrating 45 years since the musical’s Broadway debut. An Australian arena tour featuring John Farnham, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, Angry Anderson, Russell Morris and John Waters toured Australia in 1992 to sell-out performances.
This production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017. The production played a West End engagement at the Barbican in 2019 before returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in concert version during the summer of 2020.
“A gorgeous, thrilling, heavenly musical.” – The Guardian
“Hallelujah! An almighty revelation.”- The Daily Telegraph
Produced by John Frost and David Ian for Crossroads Live, in association with Work Light Productions, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR features lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. This production was reimagined by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre where it originated and is helmed by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie. Completing the creative team is design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curan, sound design by Nick Lidster and music supervision by Tom Deering.
Meet the JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR cast here
www.jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au
@JesusChristSuperstarAu
MELBOURNE SEASON
Venue Princess Theatre
Season From March
For priority access waitlist now at: www.jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au
SYDNEY SEASON
Venue Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Season From 6 November
Performance Times Tue-Thurs 7pm, Fri- Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm (performance times vary each week)
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au or 136 100
Groups 8+ email groups@ticketmaster.com.au
PERTH SEASON
Venue Crown Theatre
Season From February
For priority access waitlist now at: www.jesuschristsuperstarmusical.com.au
About the Author
Andrew Bistak When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.
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