Laryngitis Sidelines Josh Young from JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Indefinitely; Return Expected Upon Recovery

Josh Young, who is starring as 'Judas' in Broadway's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR after originating the role in both the Startford and La Jolla productions of the show, will be sidelined from the production again, this time for an undetermined period of time, as a bacteria infection which has caused him to miss several performances has worsened into laryngitis. Young, who has received rave reviews across the board for his performance, missed his first shows during previews just prior to opening night on March, 22.  While he was back for the opening, he has been in and out of the show since March 29. His role has been played by Jeremy Kushnier and Nick Cartell in his absence. 

A statement from Young's rep, released April 4, said, "He has had a bacterial infection that has now unfortunately become laryngitis. His doctors have put him on complete vocal rest. When the laryngitis has cleared, he will return to JCS."

Young's previous credits include Connie in The Grapes of Wrath, Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita (Che),Kiss Me, Kate (Paul) at the Stratford Festival. Elsewhere, he's appeared in Les Misérables (Marius, U.S. tour), West Side Story (Tony, 50th-anniversary international tour), A Little Night Music (Henrik, Baltimore Center Stage). Training: Pennsylvania Governors School for the Arts; BFA, Syracuse University.

His awards include a 2010 Broadway World Toronto Award (best actor in a musical) for Che in Evita. Website: Visit www.josh-young.com, iTunes or the Theatre Store to pick up Josh's self-titled debut album or Still Dreaming of Paradise, a mix of re-imagined Broadway songs and pop classics (due out in August).

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, directed by the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's Artistic Director and 2-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opens tomorrow night March 22, 2012 (previews began March 1) at the Neil Simon Theatre. 

The 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.

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 Nick Cartell, Krista Leis, Matthew Rossoff and Matt Stokes as swings.

Ticket prices (including the $2 facility fee) range from $62-$99 for previews (March 1-March 21), $62-$142 for performances March 22 onward.