Divine intervention? The 50-year resurrection of Jesus Christ Superstar
Classic ’70s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar enjoys a special place in Australian entertainment history and it’s about to rock audiences yet again.
Not all musicals deserve to be recycled but one that does is Jesus Christ Superstar. For a start, for many people it’s a beautiful way of accessing the gospels and, like it or not, the story of Jesus is foundational to western civilization and values.
And, hey, the music’s pretty good too! Maybe recycled is the wrong word to use in this case. Perhaps resurrected would be better.
So, here’s the good news – or the other good news – a Brisbane season has just been announced as part of the Australian tour of the award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated rock musical. This production of Jesus Christ Superstar will play at the Lyric Theatre, QPAC, from June 2025, following seasons in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne.
Leading the cast in this classic rock opera is international recording artist Michael Paynter as Jesus, Javon King (who astounded audiences last year for his role as Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Australian tour of Hairspray) as Judas and powerhouse soul and blues vocalist Mahalia Barnes as Mary.
Paynter is a member of ’70s Australian rock band Icehouse and is also a guitarist and vocalist in the band of Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes. He has performed live with Bachelor Girl, Killing Heidi, Delta Goodrem, Reece Mastin and others and has toured extensively in Australia and internationally, sharing arena and stadium stages with artists such as John Farnham, 5 Seconds of Summer, Miley Cyrus, Seal, Hall and Oates, and The Script.
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King’s theatre credits in Melbourne include the roles of Tristan/Young Man 6 in The Inheritance and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, for which he won a Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor. He’s also toured the US and internationally as Angel in the 20th and 25th anniversary tours of Rent.
Mahalia Barnes and her band The Soul Mates play to capacity crowds around the country, touring nationally and internationally alongside artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Mavis Staples, Joe Bonamassa, Bryan Adams and Tom Jones. She has recorded, toured and collaborated with the likes of Liam Gallagher, Beth Hart, George Benson, Robert Jon + The Wreck, Birds of Tokyo, Diesel, Cold Chisel, (her father) Jimmy Barnes and David Campbell.
Internationally acclaimed comedian, singer and writer Reuben Kaye will play Herod. Reuben has captivated global audiences with his electrifying performances and unapologetically bold persona.
Head priest Caiaphas will be played by Elliot Baker, who played Don Attilio in The Phantom of the Opera for Opera Australia and Really Useful Group, while Annas will be played by John O’Hara, most recently seen playing Phil Spector in the Australian tour of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.
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Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live, on behalf of his co-producers, says he is “delighted to bring Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-loved rock opera to Brisbane”.
“We’ve received an overwhelming response to the news that the much-loved show is returning to Australia, and rehearsals are going brilliantly,” Frost says. “This award-winning production, led by Michael, Javon and Mahalia, will be a very special experience for people who remember the cherished concept album or past Australian productions, or audiences new to the show.”
Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes classics such as I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.
This rock opera’s iconic 1970s score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971. The original Australian production opened at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, in May 1972, followed by seasons at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne, and other cities, playing for more than 700 performances. The original London production ran for over eight years. By the time it closed after 3358 performances it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.
The rock opera has been reproduced regularly around the world in the years since its first appearance, including a Broadway revival in 2012, an ITV competition TV show called Superstar that led to casting Ben Forster as Jesus for an arena tour of the show, and a production at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre celebrating 45 years since the musical’s Broadway debut. An Australian arena tour featuring John Farnham, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, Angry Anderson, Russell Morris and John Waters toured Australia in 1992 to sell-out performances.
This production of Jesus Christ Superstar won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017. The production played a London, West End, engagement at the Barbican in 2019 before returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in concert version during the summer of 2020.
Produced by John Frost and David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions, it features lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. This production was reimagined by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, where it originated and is helmed by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie. Completing the creative team is design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Nick Lidster and music supervision by Tom Deering.
Join the waitlist now to buy tickets on pre-sale from December 9, with general public sales from December 13 – just in time for Christmas.
