Andrew Lloyd Webber to Forge Ahead with 'Jesus' Talent Search for 2012

Whatsonstage.com reports today that Andrew Lloyd Webber's next project may involve searching for  a new Jesus.  The maestro is reportedly in talks for a new reality talent show that would focus on finding the next "Jesus" for a stadium tour of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2012. The tour could kick off in the US before heading to London't O2 Arena.

To read the full report in Whatsonstage.com, click here.

This ground-breaking rock opera, which reinvented musical theatre for the modern age, tells the story of the last week of Christ’s life. Based very loosely on the Gospels' account of the last week of Jesus' life, the highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus, struggles not mentioned in the Bible. 

The show opened on Broadway on October 12, 1971, directed by Tom O'Horgan, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. The show starred Jeff Fenholt as Jesus, Ben Vereen as Judas, Bob Bingham as Caiaphas, Barry Dennen as Pilate, and Yvonne Elliman as Mary Magdalene. The show closed on June 30, 1973 after 711 performances.

The score includes such chart-topping songs as “I Don’t Know How To Love Him,” “Everything’s Alright” and “Superstar.”

Jesus Christ Superstar will next hit New York this spring, when The Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s hit production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR transfers to Broadway. Directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s Artistic Director Des McAnuff, the production will open March 22, 2012 (previews begin March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre.

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.

For more information on the upcoming production, visit www.superstaronbroadway.com.