Stage Door News
Stage Door News
November 12, 2011… Casting has been confirmed for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff and will run in the Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre from November 18 to December 31, 2011.
The cast will feature Bruce Dow as King Herod, Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Jeremy Kushnier as Pontius Pilate, Mike Nadajewski as Peter, Paul Nolan as Jesus and Josh Young as Judas, with Marcus Nance as Caiaphas, Lee Siegel as Simon Zealotes and Aaron Walpole as Annas.
Also in the cast: Matt Alfano as Thaddeus, Mary Antonini as Elizabeth, Karen Burthwright as Ruth, Jacqueline Burtney as Mary (Martha’s Sister), Mark Cassius as Matthew, Ryan Gifford as Bartholomew, Kaylee Harwood as Sarah, Melissa O’Neil as Martha/Maid by the Fire, Laurin Padolina as Rachel, Stephen Patterson as James the Lesser, Katrina Reynolds as Esther, Jaz Sealey as Thomas, Jason Sermonia as John, Julius Sermonia as James, Jonathan Winsby as Phillip, Sandy Winsby as Andrew and Jennifer Rider-Shaw and Matthew Rossoff as swings.
This ground-breaking rock opera, which reinvented musical theatre for the modern age, tells the story of the last week of Christ’s life. The zeal with which Christ’s followers are hailing him as the Son of God becomes a source of dismay to his disciple Judas Iscariot. Fearing that this tide of religious fervor will provoke brutal repression by the occupying Romans, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal.
The Stratford production, which closed on November 6, received glowing reviews across the board. The Globe and Mail said, “This production is an absolute miracle,” while the Toronto Star called it “the best show you’ll see this year.” “A sparkling production literally pulsing with life,” wrote the Toronto Sun; and Variety enthused, “McAnuff has managed to come up with a vision that is faithful to the original but manages to make it seem fresh to an audience in 2011.”
Following the Playhouse run, Jesus Christ Superstar will open on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on Thursday, March 22, 2012, with previews beginning March 1.
Tickets are available online at LaJollaPlayhouse.org or at (858) 550-1010.
2011-11-12
Stratford: Casting confirmed for “Jesus Christ Superstar” at La Jolla Playhouse