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Jesus Christ SuperstarOpening Date: Sept 21, 2012
Closing Date: Oct, 2013 Air date: Oct 2012 Medium: cinema and DVD Where to watch: Cinema (March - April, 2025; UK and Northern Ireland only), Apple TV, Amazon, BroadwayHD, YouTube, Google Play |
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Stage Production Notes
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar started life as a single song, “Superstar.” The single was released in 1969, and its popularity led to a full concept album released in 1970. The album resulted in a fully-fledged stage show performed at the Civic Arena in Pennsylvania in July 1971.
Jesus Christ Superstar was billed as a rock opera and was considered genre defining.
As the album was more popular in the US than in the UK, it was decided to open the show on Broadway first. The show opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in October 1971. The Broadway production starred several of the performers who had appeared on the original concept album, including Jeff Fenholt, Ben Vereen, and Bob Bingham. The show ran for over 700 performances, closing in June 1973. Lloyd Webber hated the production, describing it as “brash and vulgar.”
The West End run took place at the Palace Theatre in August 1972 starring Paul Nicholas, Stephen Tate, and Dana Gillespie. The production was an immense success, and ran for eight years. At the time of its closing, Jesus Christ Superstar was the longest running show in West End history (it now sits at number 21 of longest running West End shows).
Whilst on tour with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls in 1991, Big Fish Ensemble vocalist and drummer Michael Lorant was inspired to create an updated version of Jesus Christ Superstar that bought the album back to its rock roots. Recorded in Atlanta in January 1994, the album was cast and produced by Michael Lorant. The resulting album, Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection enlisted the work of over 100 Atlanta and Athens based musicians including the Indigo Girls. It was filmed live at SXSW in Austin in 1995 and is available via YouTube.
A 25th anniversary production was staged at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1996. The production was also revived on Broadway in 2000, and again in 2012.
An open-air production staged at Regent’s Park in London in 2016 received glowing reviews.
Two film versions of the musical have been released. The first in 1973, directed by Norman Jewison, starred Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Ellimann. The second, released in 2000, was directed by Gale Edwards, and starred Glenn Carter, Jerome Pradon, and Renee Castle.
Jesus Christ Superstar was endorsed by the Vatican as part of the year 2000 Jubilee celebrations.
NBC’s 2018 Jesus Christ Superstar: Live In Concert was broadcast live from the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn and is now available on DVD.
Jesus Christ Superstar continues to be performed around the world, and translated into different languages including French, Spanish, and Serbian.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar started life as a single song, “Superstar.” The single was released in 1969, and its popularity led to a full concept album released in 1970. The album resulted in a fully-fledged stage show performed at the Civic Arena in Pennsylvania in July 1971.
Jesus Christ Superstar was billed as a rock opera and was considered genre defining.
As the album was more popular in the US than in the UK, it was decided to open the show on Broadway first. The show opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in October 1971. The Broadway production starred several of the performers who had appeared on the original concept album, including Jeff Fenholt, Ben Vereen, and Bob Bingham. The show ran for over 700 performances, closing in June 1973. Lloyd Webber hated the production, describing it as “brash and vulgar.”
The West End run took place at the Palace Theatre in August 1972 starring Paul Nicholas, Stephen Tate, and Dana Gillespie. The production was an immense success, and ran for eight years. At the time of its closing, Jesus Christ Superstar was the longest running show in West End history (it now sits at number 21 of longest running West End shows).
Whilst on tour with Amy Ray and Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls in 1991, Big Fish Ensemble vocalist and drummer Michael Lorant was inspired to create an updated version of Jesus Christ Superstar that bought the album back to its rock roots. Recorded in Atlanta in January 1994, the album was cast and produced by Michael Lorant. The resulting album, Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection enlisted the work of over 100 Atlanta and Athens based musicians including the Indigo Girls. It was filmed live at SXSW in Austin in 1995 and is available via YouTube.
A 25th anniversary production was staged at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1996. The production was also revived on Broadway in 2000, and again in 2012.
An open-air production staged at Regent’s Park in London in 2016 received glowing reviews.
Two film versions of the musical have been released. The first in 1973, directed by Norman Jewison, starred Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Ellimann. The second, released in 2000, was directed by Gale Edwards, and starred Glenn Carter, Jerome Pradon, and Renee Castle.
Jesus Christ Superstar was endorsed by the Vatican as part of the year 2000 Jubilee celebrations.
NBC’s 2018 Jesus Christ Superstar: Live In Concert was broadcast live from the Marcy Armory in Brooklyn and is now available on DVD.
Jesus Christ Superstar continues to be performed around the world, and translated into different languages including French, Spanish, and Serbian.
Filmed Production Notes
In May 2012 the Really Useful Group, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production company, announced an arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. The production was set to star musical comedian Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, and British radio host Chris Moyles as King Herod.
Superstar, a reality television show, was also announced “to allow the public” to choose the actor who would play the title role of Jesus Christ. The winner was Ben Forster. Lyricist Tim Rice did not support the reality show.
Under the direction of Laurence Connor, the Arena Tour was re-imagined for a modern audience and set during the Occupy protests. It played to sold out audiences across the UK and to Australia. The US Tour of the production was “abruptly cancelled” owing to poor ticket sales.
Writing for The Guardian, theatre critic Lyn Gardner described the production as flashy, loud, and “unconvincing.” Laura Thompson, writing for The Telegraph, held more praise for the production, calling the show itself “a work of conceptual genius.” Thompson also praised the efforts of the cast, notably Tim Minchin.
Whilst in Birmingham, the arena production was filmed live over two nights for cinematic and DVD release. The film was screened through Fathom Events in the US in October 2012, and released on DVD and Blu-Ray a month later.
In an interview for the “A Bit of a Chat” podcast, Tim Minchin stated that his voice was auto-tuned in post-production for the DVD. He attributed the change to Lloyd-Webber’s “incredible ear,” however noted his disappointment at the use of auto-tune.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, the 2012 production of Jesus Christ Superstar was streamed for free for 48 hours on Andrew Lloyd Webber's new YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On.
Jesus Christ Superstar is available to watch on DVD and online via Apple TV, Amazon, BroadwayHD, YouTube, Google Play.
The film is also available on Apple TV as part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Musicals Collection which includes Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and Love Never Dies.
In May 2012 the Really Useful Group, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production company, announced an arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. The production was set to star musical comedian Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, and British radio host Chris Moyles as King Herod.
Superstar, a reality television show, was also announced “to allow the public” to choose the actor who would play the title role of Jesus Christ. The winner was Ben Forster. Lyricist Tim Rice did not support the reality show.
Under the direction of Laurence Connor, the Arena Tour was re-imagined for a modern audience and set during the Occupy protests. It played to sold out audiences across the UK and to Australia. The US Tour of the production was “abruptly cancelled” owing to poor ticket sales.
Writing for The Guardian, theatre critic Lyn Gardner described the production as flashy, loud, and “unconvincing.” Laura Thompson, writing for The Telegraph, held more praise for the production, calling the show itself “a work of conceptual genius.” Thompson also praised the efforts of the cast, notably Tim Minchin.
Whilst in Birmingham, the arena production was filmed live over two nights for cinematic and DVD release. The film was screened through Fathom Events in the US in October 2012, and released on DVD and Blu-Ray a month later.
In an interview for the “A Bit of a Chat” podcast, Tim Minchin stated that his voice was auto-tuned in post-production for the DVD. He attributed the change to Lloyd-Webber’s “incredible ear,” however noted his disappointment at the use of auto-tune.
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown, the 2012 production of Jesus Christ Superstar was streamed for free for 48 hours on Andrew Lloyd Webber's new YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On.
Jesus Christ Superstar is available to watch on DVD and online via Apple TV, Amazon, BroadwayHD, YouTube, Google Play.
The film is also available on Apple TV as part of the Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Musicals Collection which includes Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and Love Never Dies.
Jesus Christ Superstar PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Birmingham NEC Arena
Producer: Really Useful Group, AEG Live, Universal Pictures, Film: Dione Orrom, Brett Sullivan
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director: Laurence Connor, Film: Nick Morris
Musical Director: Louise Hunt
Musical Supervision: Nigel Wright and John Rigby
Orchestrations: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Choreography: Kevan Allen
Scenic Design: Mark Fisher
Costume Design: Sally O’Mara
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroffe
Sound Design: uncredited
Hair and Wig Design: Alison Butler
Stage Manager: Ashley Newsome
Cast: Tim Minchin (Judas Iscariot), Melanie C (Mary Magdalene), Chris Moyles (King Gerod), Ben Forster (Jesus Christ), Alex Hanson (Pontius Pilate), Pete Gallagher (Caiaphas), Gerard Bentall (Annas), Michael Pickering (Peter), Giovanni Spano (Simon), Jeff Anderson, Michelle Antrobus, Jack Booth, Alice Capitani, Ian Carlyle, Leon Craig, Krysten Cummings, Christos Dante, Stephen John Davis, Keisher Downies, Ffion Emyr, Lily Frazer, Ryan Gibb, Zoe Green, Bob Harms, Clare Ivory, Samantha Jackson, Jack Jefferson, Sia Kiwa, Antony Lawrence, Leon Maurice-Jones, Brian McCann, Alana Murrin, Tim Newman, Tom Parsons, Rhiannon Porter, Adam Pritchard, Tim Prottey-Jones, Gala Robles, Lucas Rush, Benedict Smith, Russell Smith, Phil Snowden, Adam Strong, Ali Temple, Jon Tsouras, Alex Tucker, Marie Walker, Russell Walker, Karlene Wray
Theatre: Birmingham NEC Arena
Producer: Really Useful Group, AEG Live, Universal Pictures, Film: Dione Orrom, Brett Sullivan
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director: Laurence Connor, Film: Nick Morris
Musical Director: Louise Hunt
Musical Supervision: Nigel Wright and John Rigby
Orchestrations: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Choreography: Kevan Allen
Scenic Design: Mark Fisher
Costume Design: Sally O’Mara
Lighting Design: Patrick Woodroffe
Sound Design: uncredited
Hair and Wig Design: Alison Butler
Stage Manager: Ashley Newsome
Cast: Tim Minchin (Judas Iscariot), Melanie C (Mary Magdalene), Chris Moyles (King Gerod), Ben Forster (Jesus Christ), Alex Hanson (Pontius Pilate), Pete Gallagher (Caiaphas), Gerard Bentall (Annas), Michael Pickering (Peter), Giovanni Spano (Simon), Jeff Anderson, Michelle Antrobus, Jack Booth, Alice Capitani, Ian Carlyle, Leon Craig, Krysten Cummings, Christos Dante, Stephen John Davis, Keisher Downies, Ffion Emyr, Lily Frazer, Ryan Gibb, Zoe Green, Bob Harms, Clare Ivory, Samantha Jackson, Jack Jefferson, Sia Kiwa, Antony Lawrence, Leon Maurice-Jones, Brian McCann, Alana Murrin, Tim Newman, Tom Parsons, Rhiannon Porter, Adam Pritchard, Tim Prottey-Jones, Gala Robles, Lucas Rush, Benedict Smith, Russell Smith, Phil Snowden, Adam Strong, Ali Temple, Jon Tsouras, Alex Tucker, Marie Walker, Russell Walker, Karlene Wray
Sources
- Jennifer J. Bogdanski, “A Musical About Jesus Christ?”, www.timrice.co.uk
- Lyn Gardner, “Jesus Christ Superstar - review,” The Guardian (Sept 23, 2012)
- Adam Hetrick, “Jesus Christ Superstar U.S. Arena Tour Abruptly Canceled,” Playbill (May 30, 2014)
- Mark Shenton, “Full Cast Announced for U.K. Arena Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar,” Playbill (Aug 22, 2012)
- Laura Thompson, “Tim Minchin, Chris Moyles, Mel C in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, O2, review,” The Telegraph (Sept 22, 2012)
- Ray Waddell, “’Jesus Christ Superstar' Tour Failed Due to 'Horrific' Ticket Sales, Says Promoter,” Billboard (June 6, 2014)
- Press Release, “Jesus Christ Superstar UK Arena Tour,” AndrewLloydWebber.com (May 16, 2012)
- Press Release, “Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE Arena Tour DVD/Blu-Ray released!” AndrewLloydWebber.com (Nov 20, 2012)
- Press Release, “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” New Arena Production Rocks Cinemas This Fall,” Fathom Events (Oct 9, 2012)
- Really Useful Group, “Jesus Christ Superstar,” AndrewLloydWebber.com
- Jesus Christ Superstar official website, accessed via: http://www.jesuschristsuperstar.com/about/
- Tim Minchin, “Tim Minchin 2,” A Bit of A Chat with Ken Plume podcast (Jan 30, 2013)
Written by Luisa Lyons (February, 2017, updated April 2020)