Tom Hewitt News

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: ANYTHING GOES and PRISCILLA celebrate milestones, the [title of show] team is back, PIPE DREAM preps for performances, and so much more!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opened on Broadway last night, Thursday, March 22 and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the red carpet arrivals!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opened on Broadway last night, Thursday, March 22 and BroadwayWorld.com was there to capture the show's thrilling opening night curtain call with the cast, director Des McAnuff, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opened on Broadway last night, Thursday, March 22 and after the performance the cast and creative team headed over to the Hilton Hotel to celebrate and BroadwayWorld.com was there to join in the fun!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opened on Broadway last night, Thursday, March 22. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by Des McAnuff began previews March 1 and is now playing at the Neil Simon Theatre. Here's what the critics have to say...

As previously reported, Josh Young, who is starring as 'Judas' in Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR after originating the role in both the Startford and La Jolla productions of the show (receiving rave reviews in both cities), has been out of the show since March 20th, missing multiple critics performances. His role has been played by Jeremy Kushnier in his absence. BroadwayWorld has now learned that Young is feeling much better and will be back in the show tonight for the highly anticipated opening performance.

A statement from Young's rep reveals that 'It was extremely unfortunate timing that Josh became sick over the past week. He has been with JCS since its inception in Canada and was saddened that this happened at such a crucial time and rendered him unable to perform. Josh is waiting for his doctor to clear him to rejoin the cast. Nothing brings him more joy than performing the role of Judas with this amazing company of actors and he cannot wait to return to his work'

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, opens tonight on Broadway after beginning previews on March 1.

Welcome to THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As With Your Favorite Broadway Stars. Want to know what hooked them to a career in the theater? Their dream roles? Their Broadway crushes? Read on! In this next edition, we caught up with Josh Young, who is making his Broadway debut in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR- currently in previews at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens March 22, 2012 (previews began March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre. The highly anticipated performance highlights have been released and below, BroadwayWorld brings you a very first look at the show's montage and brand new performance clips!

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens March 22, 2012 (previews began March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). Check out new, just-released production photos below!

Tomorrow, March 7 Andrew Lloyd Webber will appear on ITV's Daybreak (8:20am) and BBC Radio 4's Front Row(7:15am) to chat about the Love Never Dies film, which is set to be released on DVD in the UK on March 12.

It is a rare enough occurrence for a genuine born and bred Broadway star to emerge post-millennium, but one as astonishingly versatile as Raul Esparza, having scored accolades since his blazing debut in a string of hit plays and musicals, ranging from Mamet and Sondheim and Pinter to CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG and his aforementioned Broadway bow in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, is a downright cause for celebration. Esparza makes his grand return to the Broadway stage in a musical with his upcoming starring role in Alan Menken & Glenn Slater's adaptation of the Steve Martin film LEAP OF FAITH, featuring a country and gospel influenced score and a spirited, energetic production by Christopher Ashley (who, incidentally, helmed Esparza's first Broadway show, ROCKY HORROR). While Esparza has been seen in many - most, if not quite all - Broadway seasons in the decade since 2001, he has also scored in leading roles in regional productions such as 2002's spectacular SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG revivals, part of the unprecedented Sondheim Celebration, as well as the Cincinnati Playhouse COMPANY, directed by John Doyle, which transferred to Broadway and was subsequently preserved on DVD and Blu-ray, in addition to being presented on PBS as part of Great Performances. Besides Esparza's many notable musical revival performances (lest we forget his essaying of the Emcee in CABARET), he also created the Broadway iterations of his roles in the controversial and brilliantly scored TABOO, produced by Rosie O'Donnell and composed by Boy George, as well as the stage adaptation of the hit family classic CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, as well as originating the lead role in TICK, TICK...BOOM! Having played three of Sondheim's most memorable male roles was not enough, though, apparently, for Esparza recently took on the part of the hapless Hapgood in Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE when it was revived at City Center's Encores! - with Tony-winners Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster his co-stars, no less - with much success. Yet, in one of a myriad of examples of the broad spectrum of Esparza's abilities, it is instructive to remember he first made a name for himself with the role of Che in an Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice show, directed by no less than the ultimate man of the theatre himself, Harold Prince - EVITA, which, of course, is being revived this season with Ricky Martin in the role of Che. Besides Esparza's many musical roles throughout the past decade and prior, he has also carved out a seriously impressive straight drama resume, having appeared in plays by the great playwrights of our age, such as Pinter (THE HOMECOMING), Mamet (SPEED-THE-PLOW), Stoppard (ARCADIA) and, the greatest of all, Shakespeare (AS YOU LIKE IT, part of Shakespeare In The Park). ROCKY HORROR to ARCADIA to, now, with LEAP OF FAITH, Esparza constantly and consistently surprises fans and audiences alike with his audacious choice in roles and electrifying performances that are indelibly enjoyable in their uniqueness, variety and sheer breadth of emotion - time and time again. Yes, indeed, Raul Esparza is the best of the best Broadway has to offer, so let us hope LEAP OF FAITH is the ideal star vehicle for one of the most charismatic and multi-talented leading men of the 21st century and that it brings him his well-deserved Best Actor Tony at last.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens March 22, 2012 (previews began March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). We are very excited to share a first look at the production photos below!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Jesus is back on Broadway, Raul Esparza feels the spirit, Norm Lewis sings for the Public, and so much more!

Tomorrow, March 7 Andrew Lloyd Webber will appear on ITV's Daybreak (8:20am) and BBC Radio 4's Front Row(7:15am) to chat about the Love Never Dies film, which is set to be released on DVD in the UK on March 12.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, opens March 22, 2012 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Previews began March 1. Broadway friends welcomed the new production to the block and BroadwayWorld was there for the photo op.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens March 22, 2012 (previews began March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). The cast of Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and director Des McAnuff recently sat down to talk about the production. Check out what they had to say below!

Get a sneak peek of The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, which began previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on March 1. Directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will open on March 22. Watch as the cast rehearses and hear what they have to say about the production below!

Previews for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR on Broadway begin today at the Neil Simon Theatre. Directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will open March 22, 2012