Jesus Christ Superstar announces full cast

The Broadway cast has been announced for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber (score) and Tim Rice's (lyrics) Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by the Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, opening at the Neil Simon Theatre on 22 Mar 2012, following previews from 1 Mar 2012.

The cast will feature Paul Nolan as 'Jesus Christ,' Josh Young as 'Judas Iscariot,' Chilina Kennedy as 'Mary Magdalene,' Tom Hewitt as 'Pontius Pilate,' Bruce Dow as 'King Herod,' Marcus Nance as 'Caiaphas' 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,' Jeremy Kushnier as 'James the Lesser/Priest,' Mike Nadajewski as 'Peter,' Melissa O'Neil as 'Martha/Maid by the Fire,' Laurin Padolina as 'Rachel,' Katrina Reynolds as 'Esther,' Jaz Sealey as 'Thomas,' Jason Sermonia as 'John,' Julius Sermonia as 'James,' Lee Siegel as 'Simon Zealotes,' Jonathan Winsby as 'Phillip,' Sandy Winsby as 'Andrew' and, Krista Leis and Matthew Rossoff as swings.

With the exception of Tom Hewitt (Pontius Pilate), Jaz Sealey (Thomas), Jeremy Kushnier (James the Lesser/Priest) and Karen Burthwright (Ruth),' the cast are reprising the roles they created when the musical premiered at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

In addition to Mr. McAnuff as director, the creative team includes choreographer Lisa Shriver, musical director Rick Fox, set designer Robert Brill, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Howell Binkley, sound designer Steve Canyon Kennedy and video designer Sean Nieuwenhuis.

The production began life at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival, were it opened at the Avon Theatre on 3 Jun 2011, following previews from 16 May 2011, and will play through to 6 Nov 2011. The production received excellent reviews: This production is an absolute miracle (Globe and Mail); The best show you'll see this year (Toronto Star); A sparkling production literally pulsing with life (Toronto Sun).

Following its run at the Stratford Shakespeare Festivel, the production moved tothe La Jolla Playhouse where it began performances on 18 Nov 2011 and is playing through to 31 Dec 2011.

Jesus Christ Superstar 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 score contains the musical numbers: "Everything's Alright," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Could We Start Again Please?" and "Superstar."

Variety said of Des McAnuff's helming of Jesus Christ Superstar, "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."

Previously to becoming artistic director of Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival, McAnuff served as La Jolla Playhouse's Artistic Director from 1983 through 1994, and from 2001 through April, 2007. Under his leadership, the Playhouse garnered more than 300 awards, including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Production's directed by McAnuff which began at the La Jolla Playhouse before transferring to Broadway include: 'Jersey Boys' (4 Tony Awards); 'Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays' (Tony Award); 'Dracula, the Musical,' The Who's Tommy (5 Tony Awards).

McCnuff's other Broadway directional credits include: 'Guys and Dolls,' 'The Farnsworth Invention' and 'A Walk in the Woods.'

Jesus Christ Superstar was the third musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It began life as a recording (released in 1969), and had its world premiere at Broadway's Mark Hellinger Theatre (now Times Square Church) in Sept 1971 - winning the 1972 Tony Award for Best Original Score. The production, which ran for 21 months, was directed by Tom O'Horgan, and featured Jeff Fenholt as 'Jesus,' Ben Vereen as 'Judas' and Yvonne Elliman as 'Mary Magdalene.'

Jesus Christ Superstar was revived on Broadway in 1977 and 2000.

The musical premiered at London's Palace Theatre in 1973, directed by Jim Sharman, and starring Paul Nicholas as 'Jesus,' Stephen Tate as 'Judas' and Dana Gillespie as 'Mary Magdalene.' The London production ran for eight years, and became London's West End longest runniung musical (It is currently the West End's fifth longest-runniung musical). The show was last revied in London in 1996.

In 1973 the musical was adapted into a film releazed in 1973, directed by Norman Jewison, and starring Ted Neeley as 'Jesus,' Carl Anderson as 'Judas Iscariot' and Yvonne Elliman as 'Mary Magdalene.'

Bios:

Paul Nolan (Jesus Christ) is making his Broadway debut. Credits include - Stratford Shakespeare Festival: 'Orlando' in 'As You Like It,' 'The Winter's Tale,' 'Tony' in 'West Side Story,' 'Valvert' in 'Cyrano,' 'Bobby' in 'Cabaret,' 'Slim' in 'Oklahoma!,' and 'King Lear.' Elsewhere: 'Beast' in 'Beauty and the Beast' (Persephone); 'Jesus' in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (Stage West Calgary, Sunshine Festival); 'Curly' in 'Oklahoma!' (Aquarius); 'Henry' in 'Jasper Station' (Lighthouse Festival); 'Danny' in 'Grease' (Stage West Mississauga); 'Bill' in 'Kiss Me, Kate' (Sunshine Festival); 'Huck' in 'Big River' (Drayton); 'Young Hercules' in H'ercules' (Disney). Film/TV: "The Gospel of John," "Shapeshifter," "Strike!," "Cruel Intentions 2" and "On My Mind."

Josh Young (Judas Iscariot) is making his Broadway debut. Credits include - Stratford Shakespeare Festival: 'Connie Rivers' in 'The Grapes of Wrath,' 'Che' in 'Evita,' 'Paul' in 'Kiss Me, Kate.' Elsewhere: 'Les Misérables' (Marius, U.S. tour); 'West Side Story' (Tony, 50th-anniversary international tour); 'A Little Night Music' (Henrik, Baltimore Center Stage).

Chilina Kennedy (Mary Magdalene) is making her Broadway debut. Credits include - Stratford Shakespeare Festival: 'Lois Lane' in 'Kiss Me, Kate,' 'Eva Perón' in 'Evita,' 'Maria' in 'West Side Story,' 'Philia' in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.' Kennedy recently reprised 'Philia' in 'Forum' at the Canon Theatre in Toronto.

Tom Hewitt (Pontius Pilate) was nominated for a 2001 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as 'Frank 'N' Furter' in 'The Rocky Horror Show.' Other Broadway credits inclide - 'Billy Flynn' in 'Chicago,' the title role in 'Dracula, The Musical,' 'The Boys From Syracuse,' 'Scar' in 'The Lion King,' and 'The Sisters Rosensweig.' He also appeared in the National Tours of 'Urinetown,' 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' and 'Peter Pan.' Off-Broadway credits include 'Treasure Island,' 'Jeffery,' 'Beau Jest,' 'Richard III' and 'Othello.' His TV/film credits include "Law & Order," "Third Watch," "Frasier," "All My Children," narration for the Discovery, History and National Geographic channels and Julie Taymor's Fool's Fire.

Bruce Dow (King Herod) - Broadway credits: 'Robert' in 'Jane Eyre' and Jacey Squires (replacement) in 'The Music Man.' Stratford Shakespeare Festival: 'Trinculo' in 'The Tempest,' starring Christopher Plummer, 'Pseudolus' in 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 'Emcee' in 'Cabaret,' 'Dromio of Syracuse' in 'Comedy of Errors,' 'Bake'r in 'Into the Woods,' 'Luther Billis' in 'South Pacific,' 'Nicely-Nicely Johnson' in 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Speed' in 'Two Gentlemen of Verona.' Film/TV: "Murdoch Mysteries" (Shaftesbury/Granada), "Rick Mercer Report" (CBC), "The Tempest" (Bravo!, Melbar).

Marcus Nance (Caiaphas) made his Broadway debut in the ensemble of 'La Bohème' (2002 revival). Stratford Shakespeare Festival - 'Moby Dick,' 'The Music Man,' 'My One and Only.' Regional: 'Four Saints in Three Acts' (Chicago Opera Theater), 'Beauty and the Beast' (Grand Theatre, Western Canada Theatre), 'Dark Star Requiem' (Luminato), 'Floyd Collins,' 'Pal Joey' (Shaw Festival); Porgy and Bess (Toronto Symphony); Annie Get Your Gun (Massey Hall); Elsewhereless (Tapestry Opera); Show Boat (Livent); Tosca (Hawaii Opera); Rigoletto (Tacoma Opera); The Barber of Seville (Monterey Opera). Film: "The Producers."

Aaron Walpole (Annas) is making his Broadway debut. Credits include - Stratford Shakespeare Festival: 'Angie the Ox/Nicely' and' Big Jule' understudy (Guys and Dolls), 'Quartet Tenor #2' (Anything Goes). Elsewhere: 'Lonny' in 'Rock of Ages' (Mirvish), 'Big Bopper' in 'The Buddy Holly Story,' 'Herman' in 'Sweet Charity,' 'Bouley' in 'Damn Yankees,' 'ensemble' in 'One Hit Wonders,' 'Canadian Explosion,' 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas' (Stage West), 'Eddie/Dr. Scott' 'in The Rocky Horror Show' (Theatre New Brunswick), 'Hank' in 'Nursery School Musical' (Berkeley Street Theatre), 'Parker' in 'Rock and Roll' (Grand Theatre), 'Aaron' in 'The Compleat Works...,' 'Fleshcreep' in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' (Gayety Theatre), 'Roger' in 'Grease' (Citadel Theatre), 'Moose' in 'Crazy for You' (Huron Country Playhouse). Film/TV: "Breakout Kings" (A&E series); feature films: "Felling Shadows," "Silent but Deadly," "Deacons for Defense" and "Canadian Idol, season 3" (third-place finalist).