Paul Louis Lessard

Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis
by AniKatrina Fageol - Jun 30, 2022

What did our critic think of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The Orpheum Theatre Memphis? Andrew Lloyd-Webber fans can certainly appreciate the 2021-2022 Orpheum season! Not long after Cats comes Jesus Christ Superstar, a powerful rock musical that centers around the last days of Jesus Christ. The show is actually celebrating its 50th anniversary and brings a completetly different dynamic to the Orpheum stage.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR to Make Miami Premiere at the Arsht Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 3, 2022

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will make its anticipated Miami premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County from May 31 – June 5, 2022.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Comes To Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 10, 2022

The American Theatre Guild is pleased to present the Kansas City engagement of the critically acclaimed musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. This production is part of the BROADWAY IS BACK IN KANSAS CITY SERIES and will take the Kauffman Center stage March 29 – April 3, 2022.

Dallas Summer Musicals Presents JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; Tickets On Sale February 11
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 10, 2022

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will come to Dallas from April 5-17, 2022.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Returns To Playhouse Square
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 14, 2022

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will come to Cleveland from February 2 – 20, 2022, as part of the KeyBank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Comes to the Fox Theatre in April 2022
by Stephi Wild - Nov 17, 2021

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will play Atlanta's Fox Theatre from Apr. 19-24 as part of the Broadway in Atlanta 40th anniversary season.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Comes to the Emerson Colonial Theatre in January
by Stephi Wild - Nov 17, 2021

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will come to Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre January 4 – 16, 2022 as part of the Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR 50th Anniversary Tour is Coming to Salt Lake City
by Gigi Gervais - Nov 13, 2021

Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar will come to Salt Lake City from May 10 to May 15, 2022. The 2017 Olivier awarding-winning production from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre went on sale to the general public on Friday, November 12, 2021.

BWW Review: High-Decibel JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Tour Rocks Out at OC's Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - Nov 12, 2021

Far more concerned with style over (narrative) substance, this brand new '50th Anniversary' re-staging of the 1971 musical that recounts the final days leading up to the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ is undeniably entertaining. The palpable, intentional vibe of this new US National Tour---directly imported from the well-received 2016 Regent's Park Theatre London production helmed by director Timothy Sheader that won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival---is to emphasize the show as a series of high-decibel, highly-stylized Big Musical Production Numbers where the 'story' acts as merely a way to organize the songs in a linear order. Overall, it's a fascinating hybrid of a rock opera arena concert, a Sunday morning modern-hipster MegaChurch service, and some, I suppose, after-thought musical theater-izing that mesmerizes the audience not with its central story but with high-budget music video production values, beautiful modern choreography, and bombastic vocal stylings from an extremely talented cast.

Review Roundup: National Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Resumes; What Are the Critics Saying?
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2021

Read reviews for the new 2022 tour of JESUS CHRIS SUPERSTAR and see what critics thought as Aaron LaVigne returns to his role as Jesus, joined by the return of James T. Justis as Judas and Jenna Rubaii as Mary. The tour also welcomes back Alvin Crawford as Caiphas, Tommy Sherlock as Pilate, and Tyce Green as Annas. Christian A. Guerrero joins the cast as standby for Jesus and Judas.

BWW Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Golden Gate Theatre
by Steve Murray - Oct 15, 2021

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic rock opera celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a spectacular re-staging of the 2017 Olivier Award-winning Best Musical Revival production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Re-imagined through the eyes of director Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) and choreographer Drew McOnie (King Kong, Strictly Ballroom) this JCS dazzled with religiously frenetic choreography and wonderful supporting performances.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR SoCal Exclusive Engagement Coming To The Center
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 27, 2021

In an exclusive Southern California engagement, Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK for eight performances only November 9-14.

Complete Casting Announced For JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at PPAC
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2021

With rehearsals now underway, the producers of the critically-acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR have announced the complete casting for the triumphant return of the 50th Anniversary North American tour.

Review Roundup: HAMILTON Re-Launches 'Philip Company' Tour
by Stephi Wild - Sep 14, 2021

The cast is led by Pierre Jean Gonzalez as Alexander Hamilton, with Ta'Rea Campbell, Marcus Choi, Jared Dixon, Desmond Sean Ellington, Warren Egypt Franklin, Neil Haskell, Elijah Malcomb Stephanie Jae Park, Paige Smallwood, and more.

BWW Interview: Paul Louis Lessard Talks the Importance and Thrill of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Detroit Opera House
by Katie Laban - Feb 4, 2020

Jesus Christ Superstar, the musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base, is in Detroit for a short visit following sold engagements in the UK. The reimagined 50th anniversary tour has the beloved music by Andrew Lloyed Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice and is directed by Timothy Sheader with cutting-edge choreography by Drew McOnie. The story is 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.' BroadwayWorld Detroit had a moment to speak with native Michigander, Paul Louis Lessard, who plays King Herod in the show about why this is an important piece of theatre and so much more!

BWW Review: Spectacular JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Orpheum Theatre
by Karen Bovard - Jan 26, 2020

The touring production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Orpheum this week is just what the Hennepin Theatre Trust calls it: spectacular. Staged originally in London in 2017, it won that year's Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. This young company is brim full of talent and energy. They bring unrelenting vitality to this production, which marks (yep, really!) the 50th anniversary of this show.

BWW REVIEW: Jesus Christ Superstar from Broadway In Louisville
by Keith Waits - Jan 20, 2020

Would you believe that Jesus Christ Superstar has been a part of our musical theatre repertoire for 50 years now? That almost stops me in my tracks as I can recall singing choral arrangements of this production when I was but a budding and promising middle school student. Songs such as 'What's the Buzz', 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' and the title song have been part of the shaping of many a young singer.

BWW Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Des Moines Performing Arts: Find out 'What's the Buzz' at the Civic Center
by DC Felton - Jan 16, 2020

When you hear of a musical turning 50 years old, many think of shows musicals from the golden age of Broadway. Now we are entering a new era were the blockbuster musicals, that have made Broadway what it is today, start celebrating their 50th anniversary. Des Moines Performing Arts is presenting the 50th-anniversary tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's 'Jesus Christ Superstar' as part of the Willis Broadway Series. If you don't know what the buzz is about with this production, you will once you see the show.

BWW Review: 50th Anniversary Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Rocks Out at Broadway San Jose
by Linda Hodges - Oct 25, 2019

BWW Review: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Popejoy Hall
by Beth Leitman - Oct 18, 2019

The 50th anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar updates the much-loved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and modernizes it in a way that makes it more accessible and enjoyable to today's audiences. The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1971, has reached a world-wide audience since then, with performances in Australia, Europe, and the West End. There have been several filmed versions of the production as well, including the 1973 movie starring Ted Neeley, as well as a more modern retelling of the rock opera in 2000 starring Glenn Carter. Finally, on Easter Sunday, NBC aired a live version of the production starring John Legend as Jesus. The longevity of the musical, as well as the various adaptations that have been made, show just how beloved the show has been for decades.