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 just opened on March 22, 2012 at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 West 52nd Street). In the video below, Chilina Kennedy, who plays Mary in the show, chats with NBC New York about making her Broadway debut in the show. Click below to hear what she had to say!
In October of 1971, three days after the original Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar began its week and a half of previews, the title song of what is considered to be the world's first rock opera was heard on American television's highest-rated show. No, it wasn't The Ed Sullivan Show, which had ended its run earlier in the year, but the controversial new sitcom, All In The Family.
The Acting Company and the Guthrie Theater are bringing their national touring production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar to New York for a limited two-week run, April 9-22, at the Baruch Performing Arts Center. Rob Melrose, Artistic Director of San Francisco's Cutting Ball Theater has directed what is considered one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. Michael Sexton, Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Society will host a talkback following the April 17th performance. Tickets for all performances are available from 866-811-4111 or www.theatermania.com.
Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the Alley Theatre's production of the Conor McPherson's THE SEAFARER. The Seafarer, by Conor McPherson and directed by Gregory Boyd, begins previews Friday April 6, opens Wednesday April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2012 on the Hubbard Stage. Tickets start at $25 and are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713.220.5700. Groups of 10 or more can receive special concierge services and select discounts by calling 713.220.5700 and asking for the group sales department.
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, will be sidelined from the production again, this time for an undetermined period of time, as a bacteria infection which has caused him to miss several performances has worsened into laryngitis. Young, who has received rave reviews across the board for his performance, missed his first shows during previews just prior to opening night on March, 22. While he was back for the opening, he has been in and out of the show since March 29. His role has been played by Jeremy Kushnier and Nick Cartell in his absence.
Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice will be featured on National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" tomorrow, Thursday, April 5.
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.
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...
Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for the Alley Theatre's production of the Conor McPherson's THE SEAFARER. The Seafarer, by Conor McPherson and directed by Gregory Boyd, begins previews Friday April 6, opens Wednesday April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 29, 2012 on the Hubbard Stage. Tickets start at $25 and are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713.220.5700. Groups of 10 or more can receive special concierge services and select discounts by calling 713.220.5700 and asking for the group sales department.
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!
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 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.
