Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice Talk New JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Arena Tour

A first look at the talented cast of the new North American arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR was presented last month and the original creators themselves, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, discuss their participation in the production as part of a new series of featurette interviews.

Of note, Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd essays the role of Judas Iscariot, while Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams stars as Mary Magdelene in the new production, with Ben Forster, winner of the UK SUPERSTAR reality show competition, once again portraying the title role in this new production.

Additionally, JC Chasez of *NSYNC will play Pontius Pilate, with Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten Lydon as King Herod.

The official description of the new JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR arena tour is as follows: "Jesus Christ Superstar, the global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for over 40 years, is reimagined for the 21st century as an arena rock spectacular. The biggest ever North American arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's groundbreaking rock musical will hit the road this summer with an extraordinary cast of rock, pop and R&B superstars. The 50+ city tour kicks off in New Orleans at the Lakefront Arena on June 9, and stops in Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and more, before culminating in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Arena on August 17. Brandon Boyd, Grammy® nominated lead vocalist of rock band Incubus, is confirmed for the role of 'Judas Iscariot', Grammy® nominated *NSYNC vocalist, JC Chasez, will play 'Pontius Pilate', Grammy® Award winner and member of Destiny's Child, Michelle Williams, will take the female lead as 'Mary Magdalene', English singer-songwriter and lead singer in Public Image Ltd. (PiL) and Sex Pistols, John Rotten Lydon, will play 'King Herod' and introducing British actor and singer, Ben Forster, who won England's ITV Superstar competition in 2012 and played the lead role in the UK and Australian arena tours of Jesus Christ Superstar, will revive his role as 'Jesus.' With over 50 cast and musicians on stage this is one arena show that can't be missed! The North American leg comes on the heels of the wildly successful UK and Australian arena tours, which began in the UK in September 2012 and commenced in Australia in May 2013. The Times said "The show gets the right balance between the spectacular, the jokey and the sincere. The performances from the well-choreographed supporting cast are fine throughout. Honestly, it's enough to give rock opera a good name." The Evening Chronicle exclaimed, "the extravagance of the production, a flamboyant spectacle of acrobatics, dramatic flames and provocative pole dancing," and Liverpool Daily Post claimed, "Restored to its rock roots, the star-studded second coming of Jesus Christ Superstar is big, brash and bold..." and the Manchester Evening News stated, "from the very opening strains the pounding music, the huge and sophisticated video backdrops and pulsating energy from a talented ensemble cast make this a true spectacle."

For more information on JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, visit the official site here.

View Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice discussing the new arena tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR below.

Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur