Des McAnuff News

Today we are talking to the composing half of one of the most talented and consistently exciting songwriting teams in musical theatre, Dempsey/Rowe - the force behind ZOMBIE PROM, THE FIX, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, and, now, the brand new rock musical at Washington, D.C.'s lauded and progressive Signature Theatre, BROTHER RUSSIA - Dana Rowe. Discussing the finer details of his previous collaborations with John Dempsey on the West End iterations of THE FIX and THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, as well as their subsequent American premieres at the Signature, Rowe and I dissect his career thus far, with a particular focus on his edgy new hard rock theatre piece, BROTHER RUSSIA, directed by frequent Dempsey/Rowe director, previous InDepth InterView participant Eric Schaeffer. In addition to all about the boundary-breaking and genre-spanning BROTHER RUSSIA and his other notable musicals, Rowe and I also outline his influences and his own personal favorite scores, as well as shine a light on his enthusiasm for the musical genre at large and what makes his exceedingly complimentary partnership with Dempsey so elemental to the success of their risky and rewarding shows, ZOMBIE PROM until now. All of that and much, much more!

A few days shy of the holiest week of the year for Christians - aptly named Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter (with Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the most sacred events on the calendar coming between) - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's seminal rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was resurrected on Broadway by TOMMY and JERSEY BOYS director Des McAnuff - modeled after the hit Stratford Shakespeare Festival production last year and comprised of many of the same cast members, including all three leads - to hails of praise and hosannas, mostly. While JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR itself will always divide audiences and critics alike - and not merely because of its controversial content and its button-pushing treatment of the hallowed tale it tells - the magnetism and sheer power that Lloyd Webber's propulsive, throbbing rock score imbues gives the show an energy, vitality and life rare to find in even the most earnestly effervescent and energetic of comparable entities - the recently revived and similarly-themed GODSPELL in a revival a few blocks away included. Then, there are Tim Rice's lyrics - oh-so-spot-on in 1970, but still biting and edgy today in McAnuff's hi-tech and elaborately presented new Broadway production. Using the book of John as the jumping off point, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus Christ (Paul Nolan) and his subsequent betrayal by Judas (Josh Young) and sentencing to death at the hands of King Herod and Pontius Pilate (Tom Hewitt). The twelve apostles, Mary Magdalene and her female companions, lepers, Pharisees, priests and others populate the grand story told almost entirely through song - the show is 90% music - and Webber and Rice's score never, ever lets up. While this may not be the most faithful rendering as far as the Bible is concerned, nor the most historically accurate, SUPERSTAR is now available to experience for a whole new generation thanks to this new revival and the timing could not be more ideal. The time is ripe for a revival of SUPERSTAR, and, as Andrew Lloyd Webber himself has recently related, this new production of the show is the best ever as far as he is concerned. High praise indeed - coming from no less than the Lord.

JERSEY BOYS made its sell-out premiere in Denver in 2008. The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, is "working its way back" to the Buell Theatre July 17-August 11. Tickets are on sale at www.denvercenter.org or by calling 303.893.4100.

Sarofim Hall is set to bring the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to the stage in JERSEY BOYS. The national tour will stop in Houston from March 13 through 30th.

The City College of New York Black Studies Program invites the public to a Black History Month presentation by Broadway legend Ben Vereen 5:30 p.m. Monday, February 27, in Aaron Davis Hall. The event is free and open to the public; however, because space is limited, attendees should RSVP to 212-650-8117 or212-650-5352 to reserve seats.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR just opened on Broadway on Thursday, March 22. Check out a new montage with scenes and music from the show below!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR just opened on Broadway on Thursday, March 22 and BroadwayWorld.com is excited to present a first look at the show's thrilling new TV spot which begins airing on Wednesday! Check it out below...

The following is a message from General Director Antoni Cimolino and Artistic Director Des McAnuff commemorating World Theatre Day, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, the latest recipient was JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR cast member Mark Cassius.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by Des McAnuff, opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on March 22. Tim Rice sat down with BBC America to talk about the new production. Find out what he had to say below!

Sir Tim Rice spoke with TheaterTalk about his writing motivations and his current and upcoming Broadway productions. In the clip below, Rice discusses why he writes more for women than for men. Watch the video below!

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. BroadwayWorld was inside the after party and takes you onto the red carpet below.

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!

DOMA Theatre Company kicks off its 2012 season of musical theater with a revival of The Who's Tommy. Hallie Baran directs the Tony Award-winning rock opera that features a book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff; music and lyrics by The Who's Pete Townshend; and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle, Keith Moon and Sonny Boy Williamson. Musical director is Chris Raymond and Angela Todaro choreographs. Performances take place March 23 through April 15 at The MET Theatre in Los Angeles.

The DOMA Theatre Company has announced its first-ever season - a line up of six Broadway-style musicals sure to 'disturb and delightz': The Who's Tommy (March 23-April 15); Songs For A New World (May 11-June 3); Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical (July 6-29); Xanadu (Aug. 17-Sept. 9); Once On This Island (Sept. 21-Oct. 14), and a surprise, Tony Award-winning musical to be revealed at a later date (Nov. 2-Dec. 9).

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.