Jesus Christ Superstar
1970 Concept Album
1971 Broadway
1972 West End
1973 Film
1996 West End Revival
2000 Broadway Revival
2000 Video
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber


Listen Jesus to the warning I give
Please remember that I want us to live

-- Judas, Heaven On Their Minds



Broadway's Ford Centre   © 2000 JJB.

A Musical About Jesus Christ?

Once Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber had a secured a three-year songwriting contract with Sefton Myers and David Land based on the potential they showed from the Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat album, the obvious question was what would the subject of their next show be? Since his school days, Tim had been fascinated by the Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilate, and now he had the chance to write something about them. Very shortly after the contract with Land and Myers was signed, Tim and Andrew wrote the single "Superstar" with MCA's to backing. (Among the MCA team was Brian Brolly who would later serve on Andrew's Really Useful Group's board of directors). Sung by Murray Head, the single (with a B side of the instrumental "John 19:41") was released in the UK on 21 November of 1969, and in the US on 1 December 1969. Dean Martin Sullivan, who had been responsible for November 1968 concert of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at St. Paul's Cathedral, wrote a note of endorsement for the single. Murray Head performed the number on the David Frost show a few days before the single's release.

Although the idea was considered by everyone in the theatre business as too risky of a gamble to stage, the single's success (despite it being banned by many radio stations) hooked MCA on the idea, and plans were made for a double album set. The production costs for the concept album were enormous, and the album was over budget (the album cost about $65,000) and took longer than anticipated -- from March to July of 1970. Murray Head sang the part of Judas, Ian Gillan (from Deep Purple) was Jesus, Yvonne Elliman was Mary Magedaline, and Barry Dennen sang the part of Pontius Pilate. There were 60 sessions, made of an 85 piece symphony orchestra, 6 rock musicians, 11 principal singers, 16 chorus singers, 3 choirs, a moog synthesizer, and organ music recorded at a church. (Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice had flown to America during the sessions to watch the first US performance of Joseph at a school in Queens.)

The Jesus Christ Superstar concept album was unveiled first quietly in London, and then a few weeks later in New York at St. Peter's on 27 October 1970 to a lot of fanfare. This was followed by similar ceremonies in Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. Before the St. Peter's reception, the media had been minimally interested, afterward everyone wanted to talk to Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. They returned back to New York after the tour to fulfill these requests. Jesus Christ Superstar went on to become the best-selling album in the US for 1971.

The Road To Broadway

Robert Stigwood was impressed with the concept album, and was chosen to produce the show. Stigwood not only signed up Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, but brought David Land onboard his company as well. (Sefton Myers passed away that winter.) Although the album was fairly successful in America, it did not do that well in the UK. It was therefore decided that the show should open on Broadway. Before the show opened, there was a touring concert production. This truly official tour (unlike the "official" ones Stigwood was tracking down and trying to disban) opened at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh on 12 July 1971.

Frank Corsaco was slated to direct the Broadway show. After being in a car accident, Corsaco was replaced by Tom O'Horgan, the director of Hair. O'Horgan's designs were larger than life and symbolic. The first preview of the show was cancelled. The show finally opened at the Mark Hellinger on 12 October 1971. It starred Ben Vereen as Judas, Jeff Fenholt as Jesus, and Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen in their original roles.

When the show opened in the West End on 9 August 1972 at the Palace Theatre, it was a smaller, less flashy production. It starred Stephen Tate as Judas, Paul Nicholas as Jesus, and Danna Gillespie as Mary. This time the director was Jim Sharman. On 3 October 1978, with its 2,620 performance, it beat Oliver! as the longest-running musical in British theater history.

The show and its music garnered three Ivor Novello awards -- International Hit of the Year 1971/1972, Best Score for a British Musical 1973/1974, and an award for "I Don't Know How To Love Him" 1971/1972.

Superstar was made into a movie and released in August of 1973, but by this time the hype surrounding the Jesus-as-a-superstar controversy had died down. Carl Anderson was Judas, Ted Neeley played Jesus, and once again Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen were Mary and Pilate respectively. The movie was shot on location in Israel, and combined the familiar Biblical with modern-day elements by including tanks, drugs, and machine guns.

In 1992, the 20th Anniversary recording was released. It featured Keith Burns as Judas, Paul Nicholas reprising his role as Jesus, and Claire Moore as Mary. The song "Could We Start Again Please" was placed at the end of the recording, and Tim Rice wrote two new verses for it. Around the same time, a touring production was also done of the show, starring Ted Neeley.

Superstar's Second Coming

A revival production by the Really Useful Theatre Company of Jesus Christ Superstar opened 19 November 1996 at the Lyceum in London. Directed by Gale Edwards (who had been discovered by Andrew Lloyd Webber when she directed his Aspects Of Love in Australia) and choreographed by Aletta Collins, it starred Steve Balsamo as Jesus, Zubin Varla as Judas, and Joanna Ampil as Mary Magdalene. The musical director was Simon Lee, the musical supervisor was Mike Dixon. John Napier was the designer, and David Hersey designed the lighting. Steve Balsamo and Zubin Varla were succeeded by Glenn Carter and Ramon Tikaram during the run. The production received a 1997 Olivier nomination for "Outstanding Musical Production". The show closed after a 16 month run on 28 March 1998.

The Really Useful Theatre Company launched a touring production, directed by Gale Edwards and designed by Peter J. Davison, beginning in Newcastle at the Theatre Royal on 18 August 1998. After the end of the Newcastle run on 5 September, the tour moved on to Southend, Aberdeen (29 September - 17 October 1998, His Majesty's Theatre), Glasgow, Leeds, Oxford, and ended in Belfast on 6 February 1999. Later, Edinburgh was included on the route, with the show beginning 9 February, and ending 27 February 1999. Anthony Van Laast, many-time collaborator on Andrew Lloyd Webber projects and the choreographer for the British tour of Chess, was signed on to choreograph. Mark McCullough and Roger Kirk were responsible for lighting and costumes respectively. Working with the philosophy of casting "purely on ability and not on star names", the tour starred Lee Rhodes as Jesus, Ben Goddard as Judas, Golda Rosheuval as Mary, and Fred Johanson as Pilate.

In the summer of 1999, the Really Useful Theatre Company announced its plans to bring the touring revival production to North America, and then open Superstar on Broadway for Easter of 2000. The show was to first open in Toronto on 14 December 1999 (rehearsals beginning 11 November 1999), and then move on to Boston and Chicago for three week runs before settling on Broadway. At the end of August the plan was changed, dropping the Toronto and Boston stops, and later Chicago was dropped as well. Open call auditions were held 12:30-6:00pm on 20 August 1999 in New York City at Chelsea Studios on 151 West 26th Street.

A New Film & Broadway Production

While plans for Broadway were being formed, Really Useful began work on preserving the new Jesus Christ Superstar on film. Shot at Pinewood Studios, and directed by Gale Edwards, it starred Glenn Carter as Jesus, Jerome Pradan as Judas, Renee Castle as Mary, and Rik Mayall as Herod. Shooting finished on 14 December 1999. It was to have been released in the UK around Easter, but was instead released 16 October 2000. The soundtrack was released at the same time, but experienced significant problems as the shipment consisted of blank CDs. The film was released in the UK on 16 October 2000, and in the US on 20 March 2001. It was released world wide throughout 2000 and 2001 : Brazil - 10 October 2000; Austria - 6 November 2000; Germany - 6 November 2000; Belgium - 9 November 2000; Holland - 9 November 2000; Spain - 22 November 2000; Hong Kong - 24 November 2000; Switzerland - November/December 2000; Singapore - 1 December 20001; France - 5 December 2000; Italy - 5 December 2000; New Zealand - 7 march 2001; Denmark - 10 April 2001; Australia - 11 April 2001; Norway - 11 April 2001; Sweden - 11 April 2001.

On 14 December 1999, Jesus Christ Superstar was officially endorsed by the Vatican. It was approved by the Vatican to be included in the year 2000 jubilee which is held every 25 years.

Rehearsals for the Broadway Jesus Christ Superstar began on 14 February 2000. Superstar became the second show to be at the Ford Centre, which had been constructed for the Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flahert musical Ragtime. The box office opened on 21 February. The show was once again directed by Gale Edwards and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The sets were by Peter J.Davidson, and costumes by Roger Kirk. Mark McCullough was the lighting designer. Andrew Lloyd Webber was to be responsible for the orchestrations.

The original casting announced for the production was Glenn Carter as Jesus, Jason Pebworth as Judas, Maya Days (who later joined the Broadway cast of Aida in the title role) as Mary, Paul Kandel as Heord, and Kevin Gray as Pilate. As previews began, Jason Pebworth left the cast, and Tony Vincent -- who had been playing Simon -- took over the role of Judas.

The new Broadway version of Superstar began previews on 23 March 2000, and opened 16 April 2000. It received nominations as a Revival of a Musical for both the 50th annual Outer Critics Circle Awards and the 54th annual Tony Awards, and Tony Vincent (Judas) received an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. The 27 August 2000 performance was to benefit the Actor's Fund. Jesus Christ Superstar closed on Sunday, 3 September 2000 having played 28 previews and 161 performances. Plans for a US tour had been being developed with a Los Angeles opening in October 2001.

Even More Tours

Yet another UK tour of Jesus Christ Superstar was kicked off in 2001. It began in Edinburgh from 10 February 2001 to 3 March 2001 at the Edinburgh Playhouse, with Arvid Larsen (Jesus), Mark O'Malley (Judas), and Cat Simmons (Mary). The tour continued as follows: North Wales Theatre,13 March - 31 March; Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 3 April - 21 April; Theatre Royal, Plymouth, 24 April - 12 May; King's Theatre, Glasgow, 15 May - 2 June; Milton Keynes Theatre, 5 June - 23 June; Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 26 June - 21 July; Bristol Hippodrome, 24 July - 18 August; Grand Opera House, Belfast, 21 August - 8 September; Regent Theatre, Stoke-in-Trent, 11 September - 29 September; Manchester Opera House, 23 October - 17 November.

In what had seemingly become standard practice with filmed musicals and concerts (e.g. Cats and Sarah Brightman), American PBS television stations aired the video of Jesus Christ Superstar as part of the Great Performances series in April 2001, with most stations showing it on 11 April at 8 p.m.. Unlike many such airings, this time PBS aired the show after it was already commercially available (released 20 March 2001; even the soundtrack was out as of 27 March). The show received an Emmy nomination and one the Performing Arts Emmy at the 29th Annual International Emmy Awards held in New York at the Sheraton Hotel on 19 November 2001.

In the last days of July 2002, plans for the American tour of Jesus Christ Superstar began to take shape. Sebastian Bach (who had appeared as the title charater(s) in the Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde) was the favorite for the role of Jesus. Bach's casting became official 13 August 2002. As Judas, Superstar veteran Carl Anderson was signed. Natlalie Toro (who had played Evita in the 1998 tour) was cast as Mary Magdalene. Produced by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, the Nederlander Organisation and the Really Useful Group, the tour was directed by Kevin Moriarty and choreographed by David Wilder. It featured sets by Peter J. Davison, lightening by Mark McCullough, sound design by Jon Gottlieg & Phil Allen, and costumes by Roger Kirk. After rehearsals in La Mirada, California, the tour began at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts from 1 November - 17 November 2002. The tour then moved on to Las Vegas at the Aladdin, followed by stops including San Antonino, Greenville, Orlando, Minneapolis, Louisville, Kalamazoo, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, Vancouver, Milwaukee, Houston and Los Angeles where it would finish in September 2003.

On 1 April 2003, the Broadway cast album was released on CD by Decca Broadway.

Reunion Concert & Continuing Tours

April 2003 also marked a reunion for Jesus Christ Superstar veterans Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen who, along with Danny Zolli (as Judas), Ron Bohmer (as Jesus), and Chuck Wagner (as Caiaphas), starred in a Jesus Christ Superstar concert by the The University Of Texas at El Paso Dinner Theatre (which had staged Blondel in 1985). Tickets for the event went on sale on 15 February 2003. The concert was held on Monday, 14 April 2003 at the UTEP Don Haskins Center and featured the UTEP Symphony Orchestra.

Spring and Summer of 2003 included an extension of the Kevin Moriarty directed American Jesus Christ Superstar tour, with stops in both the United States and Canda: Philadelphia, PA (Merriam Theatre - 18-23 March 2003), Columbus, OH (Palace Theatre - 25-30 March 2003), Atlanta, GA (The Fox Theatre, 1-6 April 2003), Baltimore, MD (Morris A. Mechanic Theatre, 8-13 April 2003), Boston, MA (Wang Center For The Performing Arts, 15-20 April 2003), Charlotte, NC (Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 22-27 April 2003), Richmond, VA (The Carpenter Centre - 29 April - 4 May 2003), Providence, RI (Providence Performing Arts Center, 6-11 May 2003), Norfolk, VA (Chrylser Hall, 13-18 May 2003), Vancouver, Canada (Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 27 May - 1 June 2003), Seattle, WA (Paramount Theatre, 3-8 June 2003), Portland, OR (Keller Auditorium (10-15 June 2003), Calgary, Canada (Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 17-22 June 2003), Ottawa, Canada (National Arts Centre, 24-29 June 2003), Appleton, WI (Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, 8-13 July 2003), Milwaukee, WI (Marcus Center For The Performing Arts, 15-20 July), Fort Worth, TX (Bass Performance Hall, 22-27 July 2003).

Bill Kenwright, the director of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tours since practically Biblical times, helmed a new 2004 UK Jesus Christ Superstar tour with included the following stops: Birmingham - 24 August; Wimbledon - 20 September; Manchester - 4 October; Nottingham - 18 October; Oxvord - 1 November; Woking - 15 November; Stoke-on-Trent - 29 November; Liverpool - 13 December. The tour's success provided a longer run, and it will continue its run through August 2005 - featuring Glenn Carter (Jesus Christ), James Fox (Judas) & Emma Dears (Mary Magdalene) - with the following summer dates: Cheltenham - 18-30 July (Everyman Theatre); Eastbourne - 1-13 August (The Congress Theatre); Truro 15-27 August (Hall for Cornwall Back Quay Truro).

New Motion Picture DVD Release

On 31 August 2004, the 1973 Jesus Christ Superstar film was re-released on DVD in a "Special Edition" format. The DVD featured audio commentary by director Norman Jewison and by Ted Neeley who plays Jesus Christ in the movie.

Benefit Concert

A special concert performance of Jesus Christ Superstar was held 13 August 2006 at the Ricardo Montalban Theatre, Hollywood, CA. Tickets for the event had gone on sale 30 July 2006. The concert was to benefit the YouTHeatre America and The Ricardo Montalban Foundation. The illustrious cast brought together several stars of the 1973 film. The performers included Ted Neeley (Jesus), Ben Vereen (Judas), Yvonne Elliman (Mary), Barry Dennen (Pilate), contemporary film actor / singer Jack Black (Herod), and Las Vegas entertainer Clint Holmes (Simon).

The Jesus Christ Superstar pages were last updated 27.1.07

All pages © 1996-2008 JJB.