Chicago's Leading Instrumentalists Join Broadway And West End Talent For Lyric Opera's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Top talents from The Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, and Chicago Jazz Festival stages join Broadway and West End artists for Lyric Opera's North American premiere of Timothy Sheader's Olivier Award-winning production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, presented from April 27 to May 20, 2018 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago (press opening April 28).

The Jesus Christ Superstar rhythm section features well-known Chicago musicians and recording artists, including Green Mill regular Pete Benson (keyboard), pianist, conductor, and composer Jo Ann Daugherty (keyboard), in-demand studio player and composer Kraig McCreary (guitar), rock, jazz and experimental music veteran Steve Roberts (guitar), versatile percussionist Bob Rummage (drums), and seasoned rhythm-and-blues artist Chuck Webb (bass). Outside the jazz arena, these musicians have been heard alongside such renowned vocalists as Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Melissa Etheridge, and more. Rounding out the Chicago-driven musical talent for Jesus Christ Superstar are 31 members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra.

Joining lead cast members Heath Saunders (Jesus), Ryan Shaw (Judas), Jo Lampert (Mary Magdalene), Michael Cunio (Pilate), Mykal Kilgore (Simon Zealotes), Shaun Fleming (Herod), Joseph Anthony Byrd (Annas), Cavin Cornwall (Caiaphas), and Andrew Mueller (Peter) are Eric A. Lewis (Priest), Drew King (Priest), Antwayn Hopper (Priest), Candace Edwards (Soul Girl), Keirsten Hodgens (Soul Girl) and Sandy Redd (Soul Girl), and an ensemble of 33, including 13 members of the Lyric Opera Chorus.

Single tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar start at $35 for the April 27 performance and start at $44 for all other performances. Tickets are on sale now at jcsuperstar.org, in person at the Lyric Opera House box office, or by calling 312-827-5600. To guarantee a front-row rock-concert experience, Lyric is also offering exclusive, $99 stage-front seating over the orchestra pit - the closest possible position to the stage - for the first time in the company's Broadway musical history.

Three-time Olivier Award winner Timothy Sheader directs the North American premiere of his acclaimed 2016 production from Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre in London. Sheader is joined in Chicago by the original creative team, including conductor Tom Deering, Olivier Award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie, Tony Award-nominated set & costume designer Tom Scutt, and Olivier Award-nominated lighting designer Lee Curran. The Chicago production will feature members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. The Chicago production comprises 37 musicians and 48 cast members; the London performances comprised 11 musicians and 27 cast members.

Jesus Christ Superstar is an iconic rock opera that reinvented musical theater for the modern age. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this global blockbuster tells the story of the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, from the perspective of Judas Iscariot. As Christ's followers grow more fervent, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal. Filled with an exciting mix of musical styles that draw upon 1970s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, this contemporary imagining of the biblical tale features high-energy dance and powerful storytelling.