A new, re-invented version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar opened earlier this month and the U.K. and fans in the U.S. will get the chance to see the production in theaters on Monday, October 29 and Thursday, November 1.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Presented by NCM Fathom Events, Omniverse Vision and The Broadway League, Jesus Christ Superstar UK Rock Spectacular was pre-recorded by Universal Pictures on October. 4 and 5 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England. The event features a star-studded line-up which includes award-winning musical comedian Tim Minchin – also the co-writer of West End smash musical Matilda – in the role of Judas Iscariot’ pop icon and former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene; radio DJ Chris Moyles in his stage debut as King Herod; the winner of the UK’s primetime ITV show Superstar, Ben Forster, who was chosen by the British public to take on the title role of Jesus; and Alexander Hanson as Pontius Pilate who was recently seen on Broadway in A Little Night Music. Jesus Christ Superstar UK Rock Spectacular will include a special historical retrospective, as well as interviews with cast members past and present.
Jesus Christ Superstar was originally released as a concept album in 1970 with Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as Jesus, Murray Head as Judas and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdeline. The following year, a touring production launched in the U.S. with Jeff Fenholt (Jesus), Carl Anderson (Judas) and Elliman. Both Fenholt and Elliman opened the show on Broadway on October 12, 1971 with Ben Vereen as Judas. In 1973, Norman Jewison directed the film version with Ted Neely as Jesus and Anderson and Elliman reprising their roles
Over the years, the show has been performed thousands of times by amateur and professional groups and has been revived on Broadway.
A DVD and Blu-Ray release of the production is expected in early 2013 (the U.K. will see it on November 19).
