Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar reflects the rock roots that defined a generation
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar opens at New Theatre Oxford tonight (Monday) and runs until Saturday.
Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) directs this mesmerising new production. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this reimagined production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades.
A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for decades, Jesus Christ Superstar’s iconic 1970s rock score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. The original London production ran for more than eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.
Jesus Christ Superstar has been reproduced regularly around the world in the years since its first appearance, with performances including a Broadway revival in 2012, an ITV competition TV show called Superstar that led to casting Ben Forster as Jesus in 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.
Choreographed by Drew McOnie (King Kong, Strictly Ballroom), with music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, 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 I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/jesus-christ-superstar/new-theatre-oxford/
Biogs:
Ian McIntosh, Jesus
In 2015, Ian was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre) - a role he created in the West End.
Additional theatre credits include Galileo Figaro in We Will Rock You (London Coliseum, 20th Anniversary UK & Ireland Tour); Deco Cuffe in The Commitments (UK & Ireland Tour); Young Ben Stone in Follies (National Theatre); Sid Worley in An Officer and A Gentleman (UK and Ireland Tour); Bud in Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (The Criterion); Ray/Alternate Deco Cuffe in The Commitments (Palace Theatre); Alternate Drew Boley in Rock of Ages (Garrick & Shaftesbury Theatres); An Evening with Duncan Sheik & Stephen Sater (The Other Palace); Hair (European Arena Tour); High School Musical 2 (UK and Ireland Tour); Can’t Buy Me Love (UK Tour).
Film credits include Aneasthetist in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (Netflix). Credits as a vocal artist include lead vocalist on Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five Animated Series (Disney Channel Worldwide). Workshop include Hugo’s Father in Hugo; Frank Sinatra in Sammy the Musical; Irving Radovich in Roman Holiday (London & Shanghai); Pip in The Navigator; Pink’s Father in The Wall - Pink Floyd Musical; Nick in The Famous Five; Michael in The Canary Girls.
Shem Omari James, Judas
Shem trained at Arts Educational Schools London. Theatre credits include Dreamgirls (UK Tour); Vanara (Hackney Empire); The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Curve) and Songs For a New World (London Palladium).
Hannah Richardson, Mary
Hannah trained at Arts Educational Schools London. Theatre credits include Cathleen and swing in Sting’s The Last Ship (USA Tour). TV Appearances include Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Short films include Marie in Then, Again.
Roles whilst training include Titania in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Blanche Du Bois in A Streetcar Named Desire, Rosalind in As You Like It and Rebecca in Pravda.
