Official: ITV1 and Andrew Lloyd Webber Announce New Reality Show - SUPERSTAR

ITV1 and Andrew Lloyd Webber today announced 'Superstar,' described as "a brand new show that will give the British public the chance to choose the country’s next major rock star."

The show seeks the new lead in an arena tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, to kick of at the O2 Arena in London.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a statement that "presenting a new, 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar for arenas is truly exciting. Some of the best performances of this show have been in rock venues and I’m thrilled to see the show return to its roots. ITV is providing the perfect platform for us to find a new, British Superstar."

Though Lloyd Webber's previous reality searches (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, I'd Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and Over The Rainbow) aired on the BBC, ITV is not a stranger to musical reality shows as it aired 'Grease is the Word' in 2007 to accompany NBC's 'Grease: You're the One that I Want.' 

"It is the public who lead the casting process and they’ve got it absolutely right four times already," Lloyd Webber adds. "It’s been wonderful to see the careers of so many of the contestants blossom, so it will be especially fascinating to see who the public chooses as their Superstar!"

Auditions are slated in February and March across the country in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR begins performances on Broadway this March. 

For more information, visit www.itv.com/superstar.