Alice Cooper cast as King Herod in NBC's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE

[FOAnatic]

Also joining the production is esteemed British theatre director David Leveaux.

Press release to hit today.

[LizzieCurry]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rock-N-Roll-Icon-Alice-Cooper-Joins-NBCs-JESUS-CHRIST-SUPERSTAR-LIVE-as-King-Herod-20171208

[kmpellicone]

Strange.... feel like it could've been filled by a much bigger name...

[nasty_khakis]

kmpellicone said: "Strange.... feel like it could've been filled by a much bigger name..."

True, but this seems to point to them going with "rock" people instead of a bigger-now name like Colbert or Jack Black etc.

I imagine they're probably throwing money at Adam Lambert for this too. Speaking of Adams, Levine does have the NBC contract with the Voice.

[adamgreer]

Is Lambert still touring with Queen? Would he be available? If he is, I would agree that he would be a fine choice for Judas.

[darquegk]

Cooper's performance as Herod on the 1996 studio cast recording is a fan favorite, and given the way that recording became formative in the sound of every production since then, he's got bona fides in this role that are hard to beat.

[Jarethan]

I didn't even realize that, but thought that it was perfect casting.  Yes, he is too old for the role, but the layers of makeup will take care of that.  It is also not a huge role, so he can go over the top from the getgo, without having to worry about pacing himself.

I see this as encouraging that future cast choices will be creative.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Cooper was a smart move: a safe choice, and possibly a signal to more than casual JCS fans that the creative team are taking it seriously and bringing past productions into account. Better than I expected. (Still think Stephen Colbert would knock it out of the park, though.)

Leveaux I'm less pleased about, as I don't know whether we'll be getting Nine!Leveaux or Fiddler!Leveaux. I would prefer to know that it was a consistently good director so I could determine how much of the result was their doing and how much was, say, Webber's interference, but at least the choice of director is not shattering my expectations. (Besides, as the arena tour proved, anybody is better than Laurence ****in' Conner.)

Kind of would like to know who they're picking for the leads, though. Also, what the concept will be.

[Elfuhbuh]

"Kind of would like to know who they're picking for the leads, though. Also, what the concept will be."


Seconded. The thing that always interests me about JCS is the design for each production. Will they be going for more traditionally Biblical costumes and sets, or something more modern? I personally prefer the Biblical take, since it's humorously jarring when set to rock music, but seeing Judas dressed as a "sexy rocker" is always funny, too. 

[nycncbrguy]

"Kind of would like to know who they're picking for the leads, though. Also, what the concept will be."

Who do you think will be Cast as Judas Iscariot?! Ramin Karimloo is Middle Eastern, has a Great Rock Voice and would look Stunning in High Def on a Live Broadcast!!! 

 

[BJR]

David Leveaux seems an odd choice. Has he done much film and television? I happen to find his work lyrical and gorgeous, though I wonder how that translates to JCS.

I wonder how it came about.

[RippedMan]

Yeah Leveaux is kind of an interesting choice as his shows seem to be very minimal and conceptual. But curious to see his approach. And I'd imagine Jesus will be a new comer given the vocal complexities - I'd love to see Drew Sarich. His recording is insane.

[jimmycurry01]

RippedMan said: "Yeah Leveaux is kind of an interesting choice as his shows seem to be very minimal and conceptual. But curious to see his approach. And I'd imagine Jesus will be a new comer given the vocal complexities - I'd love to see Drew Sarich. His recording is insane. "

Agreed about Drew Sarich. All of his recordings of JAS are awesome, whether he is Jesus or Judas. He doesn't seem like a very likely candidate though. I'm thinking they will go for someone a bit more relevant.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

I think for Jesus and Judas, they will either pick unknowns and cast stars around them, or just plain pick stars.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

nycncbrguy said: "Who do you think will be Cast as Judas Iscariot?! Ramin Karimloo is Middle Eastern, has a Great Rock Voiceand would look Stunning in High Def on a Live Broadcast!!!"

Oh, honey... no. No.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Elfuhbuh said: "I personally prefer the Biblical take, since it's humorously jarring when set to rock music"

It used to be just plain jarring, which was part of the point of doing a rock take on the story. The authors -- well, Webber; Tim still seems to get it -- have kind of forgotten that, though.

 

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

nycncbrguy said: ""Kind of would like to know who they're picking for the leads, though. Also, what the concept will be."

Who do you think will be Cast as Judas Iscariot?! Ramin Karimloo is Middle Eastern, has a Great Rock Voiceand would look Stunning in High Def on a Live Broadcast!!!

 

"

I loved Tim Michin's turn as Judas in the UK stadium tour. Seems like it would be a controversial choice (although maybe that's a good thing) 

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Already been filmed, and priced to own for your viewing pleasure. Loved Minchin's acting, but while he tried his best, I'm not a fan of the vocals. I admit to being worried that this special will take after the arena tour's postmodern look, though, especially with Goldblatt alluding to a concert format in his official comment on Cooper's hiring.

[cb981]

I’m actually really excited about this. I hope this show goes for a more raw rock and roll sound over a Broadway/pop feel. I just wish Chris Cornell was still with us to play Jesus.

[JustAnotherNewYorker]

cb981 said: "I’m actually really excited about this. I hope this show goes for a more raw rock and roll sound over a Broadway/pop feel. I just wish Chris Cornell was still with us to play Jesus."

Given the subject matter, maybe they can get Chris Cornell to come back

[Lot666]

adamgreer said: "Is Lambert still touring with Queen? Would he be available? If he is, I would agree that he would be a fine choice for Judas."

Mr. Lambert is indeed currently on tour with Queen.

[nmlhats]

I would love to see Euan Morton as Jesus. He totally rocked out as Hedwig.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Interesting that King Herod is the first casting they've confirmed.

Please cast true rock tenors in the lead roles, NBC...pull a Shanice Williams if you have to and find some new talent...

On the flip side, I'm still rooting for Gaga to be Mary Magdalene, but she might be tied up with A STAR IS BORN...

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Too small a part. It may be the only female lead in the show, but it's still not big enough to tempt someone like Steff, even if the part has some of the most memorable songs in the score.

[RippedMan]

I love a Mary Lambert, and I'd love to see her in this part.