Flashback: Farewell JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR; Takes Final Broadway Bow July 1

Following celebrated runs at the Toronto Stratford Shakespeare Festival, the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, and on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR takes its final Broadway bow tonight, July 1. Upon closing, the show will have played 116 regular performances and 24 preview performances.  One of Andrew Lloyd Webber's most famous shows, the Stratford production undeniably had a great run and introduced some exciting new stars to the Great White Way, including Tony nominee Josh Young, Jesus himself Paul Nolan, and Chilina Kennedy.  Below, BroadwayWorld revisits the journey of SUPERSTAR!

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was first mounted at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival as part of its 2011 season. Performances began on May 16, 2011 and ran until November 6 before transferring to the La Jolla Playhouse for November 18 through December 31, 2011 run. Broadway previews began on March 1, 2012 and the show opened officially on March 22, 2012. 

Directed by Des McAnuff, the show received Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Award nominations for Best Musical Revival, and Josh Young received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and won a Theatre World Award for his role as Judas Iscariot.

The closing cast features 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. The cast is rounded out by 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, Nick Cartell as Jonah/Swing, with Krista Leis, Matthew Rossoff and Matt Stokes as swings.

Ready for a walk down memory lane? Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the SUPERSTAR memories on Broadway in photo and video.  Fans may also recall BroadwayWorld's exclusive sit down with Young for our Bakcstage with Richard Ridge series, and Debut of the Month feature on Paul Nolan, in which the newcomer revealed what it's really like to step onto a Broadway stage for the first time. We were on hand for the show's Gypsy Robe Ceremony, and Broadway opening night festivities, and were sure to stay up into the wee hours of the morning to capture all of the reviews. Not to be forgotten are SUPERSTAR's secret fan concert, press preview day in New York, opening night at the La Jolla Playhouse prior to its Broadway run, and the very first look at the production in its earliest stages. To revisit everything Superstar from its inception through its Broadway closing, CLICK HERE! 

Photos: Joan Marcus/Walter McBride, Retna Ltd.

Chilina Kennedy, Paul Nolan, Josh Young

Bruce Dow

Paul Nolan and Josh Young with the Company

The company of JESUS CHRIST Superstar

Paul Nolan and Chilina Kennedy with the Company

Paul Nolan

Mark Cassius, Marcus Nance, Jeremy Kushnier, Josh Young, Sandy Winsby and Aaron Walpole

The company of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Paul Nolan

Chilina Kennedy

Tom Hewitt

Chilina Kennedy, Josh Young and Paul Nolan

Paul Nolan, Lee Siegel & the Company of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Bruce Dow and Company

Paul Nolan

Josh Young

More Articles by This Author...