Review: Jesus Christ Superstar at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar 

Open Air Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 21st July 2016

★★★★

Timothy Sheader and Drew McOnie have successfully reinvented one of my all-time favourite musicals. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera has been staged to give it the feel of a live gig; the whole experience certainly feels like an event, completed with simplistic yet highly effective design from Tom Scutt.

PICS: Rehearsals for Open Air Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar

Rehearsal images have been released for Jesus Christ Superstar at the Open Air Theatre. The revival opens on 21st July (previews from 15th July) and runs until 27th August 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The cast includes Declan Bennett as Jesus, Tyrone Huntley as Judas, Anoushka Lucas as Mary Magdelene, David Thaxton as Pilate, Cavin Cornwall as Caiaphas,Peter Caulfield as Herod, Phil King as Peter, Joel Harper-Jackson as Simon Zealotes and Sean Kingsley as Annas.

Completing the cast are Ashley Andrews, Will Barratt, Billy Cullum, Joshua Dever, Omari Douglas, Simon Hardwick, Raquel Jones, Bobbie Little, Sinead Long, Gloria Obianyo, Joseph Prouse, Charlotte Riby, Cameron Sharp, Barnaby Thompson, Rhys Whitfield, and The Soul Girls will be played by Genesis Lynea, Rosa O’Reilly and Shanay Holmes.

Declan Bennett to star in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Declan Bennett will star as Jesus in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar. 

The revival opens on 21st July (previews from 15th July) and runs until 27th August 2016. 

Bennett originated the role of Guy in the West End production of Once (Phoenix/Dublin) and most recently appeared as Charlie Cotton in BBC’s EastEnders. His theatre credits also include: Taboo (Venue Theatre), RENT (U.S. tour) and American Idiot (Broadway).

Celebrating 45 years since the premiere of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by artistic director Timothy Sheader. Musical direction is by Tom Deering with design by Tom Scutt and choreography by Drew McOnie.

Open auditions announced for Jesus Christ Superstar

Open auditions have been announced for the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Casting director Will Burton has revealed that open auditions will take place on Monday 25th January 2016 at the Open Air Theatre. 

Auditionees must be available between June and August 2016. The casting team are looking for "outstanding" rock, pop and soul voices who must *at least* be a mover.

Review: Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour) 
Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 13th July 2015
★★★

In my mind Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the greatest musicals. Having premiered on Broadway in 1971, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera retells a story everyone knows, contains some truly iconic numbers and features two of the best male leading roles in musical theatre. 

Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ben Forster cancels run in Athens

A production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Odeon Of Herodes Atticus in Athens has been cancelled due to the current economic crisis in Greece.

ITV Superstar winner Ben Forster was supposed to reprise his performance alongside Tim Prottey-Jones and Niall Sheehy on 3rd and 4th July in the show.

Full casting announced for Jesus Christ Superstar 2015 UK Tour

Full casting has been announced for the 2015 UK Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar which opens at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on Thursday 21st January.

The full cast includes: David Burilin (Matthew), Cavin Cornwall (Caiaphas), Alistair Lee (Annas), Tom Gilling (Herod), Ed Handoll (Peter), Kristofer Harding (Simon), Andy Barke (Andrew), Tim Oxbrow (John), Joe Maxwell (Thaddeus), Richard J Hunt (Thomas), Johnathan Tweedie (James), Cellen Chugg Jones (Nathaniel) and Michael Ward (Apostle).

They join the previously announced Glenn Carter (Jesus), Rhydian Roberts (Pontius Pilate), Tim Rogers (Judas Iscariot) and Rachel Adedeji (Mary Magdalene).

First casting announced for Jesus Christ Superstar 2015 UK Tour

First casting has been announced for the 2015 UK Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar which opens at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on Thursday 21st January.

Glenn Carter is set to return as Jesus, a role he has played in the West End, on Broadway and on film. The cast also includes Rhydian Roberts (Rocky Horror Show/X Factor, pictured right) as Pontius Pilot, Tim Rogers (Carousel/Whistle Down the Wind) as Judas Iscariot and Rachel Adedeji (Thriller Live/X Factor) as Mary Magdalene.

Jesus Christ Superstar has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. This new production is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright with design by Paul Farnsworth, choreography by Carole Todd,  lighting by Nick Richings and sound by Dan Samson.

Bill Kenwright to produce 2015 UK Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar

It has been revealed that Bill Kenwright is producing a brand new production of Jesus Christ Superstar which will tour the UK from January 2015. 

Having premiered in 1971, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus. The score features many iconic numbers including 'I Don't Know How to Love Him', 'Everything's Alright' and 'Gethsemane'.

Jesus Christ Superstar cancels US Arena Tour

According to Twitter reports, Jesus Christ Superstar has cancelled its upcoming US Tour. The cast were due to fly out in just four days.

Writing on Twitter, the musical's star Ben Forster (who won ITV's Superstar competition) said: "My heart is broken. My beautiful talented cast and company I adore. This wonderful show & opportunity is over. I'm so sorry I am devastated.

"I am in New Orleans.I was mid rehearsal with JC Chasez on the floor. Going they the end of the show. You guys must know we were ready for this. I am so devastated. I'm sorry to everyone who got tickets and flights..Who ever f****d it up I hate you."

An official statement from producers doesn't give an explanation for the cancellation. It reads:

Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour to return in 2013

The UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar will return next year. The show returns to the UK by popular demand, after receiving overwhelming praise during its initial UK run from both audiences and critics alike. The run was seen by over 150,000 thousand people, breaking previous audience records with 74,000 fans seeing the show its opening weekend.

Award-winning Tim Minchin as ‘Judas Iscariot’, Spice Girl Melanie C as ‘Mary Magdalene’ and Chris Moyles as ‘King Herod’. Winner of ITV’s Superstar, Ben Forster, also returns in the title role of ‘Jesus’.

Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour for DVD Release and US Tour?

The current arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar will be filmed and released on DVD on the 19th November 2012. The production will also be broadcast to over 6,000 cinemas in Australia and America. 

The show, which stars Ben Forster, Mel C, Tim Minchin and Chris Moyles, is currently on a UK tour that returns to London, at the Wembley Arena, on the 17th October.

Superstar finalist Roger Wright and Paul Hazel to star in West End premiere of You Can Do It

Roger Wright, who came third in Andrew Lloyd Webber's ITV1 search for an actor to star as Jesus in his new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, and Paul Hazel will star together in the West End premiere of You Can Do It.

You Can Do It will play at Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday 7th October with further dates to be announced.

Brothers Bertie and Edwin Lightfoot are stuck in the past, dreaming about what could have been when they had the world at their feet as singing sensations, ‘The Lightfoot Brothers’. Then one day, their dead father ‘Pappa Lightfoot’ sends them a heavenly command to put on the show of their lives... and the party really begins!

Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour adds extra matinee performance

The Really Useful Group and AEG Live have announced that Jesus Christ Superstar has added an extra performance due to popular demand. The show will now play an additional matinee at London's O2 Arena on  Saturday 22nd September 2012.

Celebrating 40 years since it first opened in London's West End, the Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour kicks off in London on 21 September before visiting Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool and Nottingham. The tour culminates in Sheffield on 21 October.

ITV Superstar Gossip: Mel C may become permanent judge!

I would like to point out that this has not yet been officially confirmed but there are rumors that ex-Spice Girl Mel C may become a permanent judge on the ITV search to find a an actor to play Jesus in the upcoming arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. 

'Superstar' - the search to find Jesus begins 7th July on ITV

Andrew Lloyd Webber's hunt to find an actor to play Jesus in his forthcoming stadium tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, will begin broadcasting Saturday 7th July 2012 on ITV1. The new reality show is named 'Superstar'.

The judging panel includes Dawn French, Jason Donovan and of course the one and only Andrew Lloyd Webber. To make the programme a little more stagey, Amanda Holden will present the live shows.

The tour kicks off at London’s O2 Arena on 21/22 September, before visiting: Glasgow SECC (25 September), Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (28 September), Manchester Arena (30 September), Cardiff Motorpoint (2 October), Birmingham NIA (4 October), Belfast Odyssey (9 October), Dublin O2 (12 October), Liverpool Echo Arena (16 October) and Sheffield Motorpoint (21 October).

Initial auditions took place across the country from February to March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. Applicants performed on stage in the hope of impressing the casting panel for a place in the final live shows.

The first episode of Superstar will air on 7 July at 7:25pm on ITV1.

Sneek Peak at Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar

So, as we all know the latest reality TV programme to find a new West End Star to play the lead role of Jesus in a new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar will be hitting our screens soon. Andrew Lloyd Webber's ITV programme named 'Superstar' is described as "a brand new show that will give the British public the chance to choose the country’s next major rock star." 

As previously announced, man of the moment, Tim Minchin will star as Judas. He will be joined by Chris Moyles as King Herod and Mel C as Mary Magdalene. This tour looks like it should not be missed as some dates are already sold out!

The first trailer for the new programme which will be on our screens soon has just been released - check it out below! (Warning - it's camp)

Find out everything at http://superstar.itv.com/.

More Jesus Christ Superstar Tour Casting Announced - Twitter Goes Mad!

So after it was recently announced that Tim Minchin had been cast as Judas in the upcoming arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar it has today been announced that he will be joined by Chris Moyles as King Herod, the comedy character in show. I know the show well and think the part is suited to Chris. However I can't help but think that the main reason for casting him is because of his celebrity status. It looks like Andrew Lloyd Webber is determined not to have any empty seats as they will have a reality TV winner (not Pudsy the dog from BGT hopefully) playing Jesus, a popular Radio presenter, the multi talented upcoming King of the West End Tim Minchin and of course... a Spice Girl! That's right, a musical is not complete without a Spice Girl! Mel C is playing Mary Magdalene (not Nicole Scherzinger). 


While I don't want to judge these performers before I see them I can't help but think there are many other West End performers who are even more talented and even more suited to these roles (I am not talking about Tim Minchin here who is an experienced performer). 

The producers of the show will be happy as twitter went crazy with people voicing their opinions - making everyone aware of the tour. I read tones of tweets however one that stood out for me was composed by Mark Evans (@MarkHEvans), who is currently playing Sam Wheat in Ghost The Musical. This is what he had to say:

"Lots of tweets about JCS casting! I'm not a promoter of celebrity casting but just think of things from the producers point of view it's the only way to try and get your head round some of the 'odd' decisions that seem to get announced, but in my opinion- don't judge until you've seen the show! Look at how sceptical everyone was about Sheridan Smith being announced as Elle in Legally Blonde an as soon as she opened and did an amazing job and got rave reviews everyone jumped on board saying "I knew she'd be good"- let's just wait to see what Jesus Christ Superstar will be like and give the cast a chance. Celebrity or not, they are still people who possibly don't deserve so much negativity just from having their names in a press release."

Mark makes a fair point, so until I have seen these celebrities in action I will not judge. In the meantime why don't you watch this video of Chris Moyles appearing on Celebrity X Factor...

As always I would love to find out what you think about this