Jesus Christ Superstar

A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 45 years, The Production Company (TPC) presents Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar at the State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne for 19 performances only from 29 July 2017.

Considered one of the greatest stories ever told, Jesus Christ Superstar is loosely based on the Gospels’ accounts of the last week of Jesus’s life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion – highlighting the political and personal struggles between Jesus and Judas.

Originally conceived as a concept album that hit number one on the Billboard charts, Jesus Christ Superstar made its Broadway debut in 1971, garnering five Tony Award nominations. Since then, the show has been performed in nearly 20 countries and translated into 18 different languages.

The musical changed the world of musical theatre forever, with a brilliant score including Jesus Christ Superstar, Heaven On Their Minds, What’s the Buzz?, and Mary Magdalene’s Everything’s Alright and I Don’t Know How to Love Him.

Joining TPC for the first time in the title role of Jesus is Rob Mills (Ghost, Grease, Wicked). He is joined by Helpmann Award winner Alinta Chidzey (Curtains, Show Boat) as Mary Magdalene, and Zoy Frangos (Les Miserables, South Pacific), who is also making his TPC debut as Judas.

Trevor Ashley, star of Les Miserables, and Australia’s undisputed queen of cabaret, will play Herod, while musical theatre legend, Michael Cormick, fresh from his star turn in Cabaret, will play Pontius Pilate. Joining them will be Paul Hughes as Caiaphas, Stephen McDowell as Annas, Mike Snell  as Simon Zealotes and Andrew Cook as Peter.

The ensemble will feature Embla Bishop, Jared Bryan, Angelique Cassimatis, Emma Clark, Zoe Coppinger, Sage Douglas, Nelson Gardner, Glenn Hill, Alex Hyne, Luke Jarvis, Kurt Kansley, Andrew Kroenert, Josie Lane, Luigi Lucente, Scott McConnell, John Reed, Thern Reynolds, Pharic Scott, Suzanne Steele, Rachael Ward, and Sam Ward.

TPC favourite and one of Australia’s most acclaimed international theatre directors, Gale Edwards, directs this rock masterpiece. She has directed Jesus Christ Superstar on both London’s West End and on Broadway and in 2000, won an Emmy Award for the televised recording of her production, released on DVD worldwide.

Edwards is joined by a stellar creative team including: Musical Director – Anthony Gabrielle, Choreographer – Kelley Abbey, Costumes – Esther Marie Hayes, Set – Dan Potra, Lighting – Trent Suidgeest, Sound – Julian Spinks and Associates (System Sound), and The Production Company Orchestra.

“What Andrew created was one of the greatest musical scores of the twentieth century and Tim Rice interwove a story told through brilliant lyrics which is as timely and relevant today as it was 2017 years ago,” said director Gale Edwards.

“They were 21 years old when they created this mega sensation, which changed the direction of musical theatre from that moment on. How exciting for me to revisit the work 17 years later in our new and challenging world. I can’t wait!”

For more information, visit: www.theproductioncompany.com.au for details.

Image: Alinta Chidzey, Rob Mills, and Zoy Frangos star in Jesus Christ Superstar – courtesy of The Production Company