Producer Michael Cohl Reveals Reasons For JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Arena Tour Cancellation

Lead producer of the recently cancelled US arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Michael Cohl, discusses the detaild behind the decision to dissolve the production last Friday as part of a new interview.

Cohl describes the overall situation as "horrific" and accordingly reveals, "We realized we had a problem the day we went on sale."

Furthermore, Cohl shares that options were being explored to keep the production afloat to the last possible moment, but those plans ultimately did not work out.

"We all worked very hard reinventing things, rethinking things, fighting the good fight. And it just got to the point ... Look, it is a business, let's face it. We had to make the right business decision," Cohl says of the abrupt cancellation.

Elaborating, Cohl says, "We've questioned a thousand things - if we had gone with one or two lead superstars, if we had gone with a cheaper ticket price. We knew that this was a very risky project... We thought we had a shot."

As for the financial stakes of the production, Cohl opines, "I never talk about the money, and 40 years on I'm not going to start talking about it, other than it's not nearly as bad as it could have been."

Additionally, Cohl posits, "This one didn't work, and it's a sad day, but that's showbiz. We still have a pretty good batting average, and if you bat .500 to .600, you're a superstar in this business."

Check out the original article on the matter here.

Last week, announced lead and SUPERSTAR reality show winner Ben Forster used Facebook to share his perspective on the unfortunate situation, stating, "Thank u all for the amazing supportive messages. I am feeling very positive about what's next. Jcs has been amazing. Thanks to all of u. X".

Plus, Forster re-Tweeted, "Retweeted Gloria Ayee (@GloriaYAyee): "I believe in fate, and whatever's around the corner is about to come. I'll keep trying. God loves a trier, right?" - @thebenforster ?#‎Truth?".

When news first broke of the tour cancellation last Friday, Forster posted the following to Facebook (censored): "I am so devastated. I'm sorry to everyone who got tickets and flights..Who ever f*cked it up I hate u . But ?#‎IforgiveU? ?#‎imjesus?..wellwas x".

Follow Ben Forster on Facebook here.

Last weekend, cast-mate Brandon Boyd took to Twitter first to comment on the situation in a series of Tweets, sharing, "I got fired from #JesusChristSuperstar today....but so did the rest of the cast so we're all sad together. Yeah, it's true. Tour cancelled".

Then, Boyd followed up, writing, #jeeeesus".

After that, Boyd posted a hand-drawn image on Instagram depicting two figures resting their heads on each other's shoulders, tagging it, "...".

Of note, Boyd, along with JC Chasez, Ben Forster, John Lydon and many other cast and crew members shared shots of themselves giving the middle finger as a response to the cancellation of the tour last Friday, as well.

Follow Brandon Boyd on Twitter here and Instagram here.

BroadwayWorld learned last Friday afternoon that the recently announced US arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR has been completely cancelled.

The official statement is as follows: "Options Clause Entertainment LLC, an affiliate of S2BN Entertainment, announced today the cancellation of the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular Tour including the previously announced show on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Madison Square Garden. All purchased tickets will be refunded. Tickets purchased online and via telephone will be automatically refunded. Tickets purchased from outlets/venue box office must be returned to that location for refund."

On Friday night, the official website removed all dates and cast info, as well, as can be seen here.

According to social media reports, assembled cast and crew were informed of the cancellation on Friday afternoon following a run-through of the show. Cast members were expected to complete rehearsals for the show this week prior to embarking on a planned 50-city tour throughout the United States over the next several months.

Of note, last Friday, Times of San Diego revealed that the San Diego stop on the tour had been cancelled at the Valley View Casino Center originally scheduled for July, as reported here, with a brief news release stating: "All purchased tickets will be refunded. Tickets purchased online and via telephone will be automatically refunded. Tickets purchased from outlets/venue box office must be returned to that location for refund."

JC Chasez, who had been cast as Pilate, took to Twitter to share his disappointment, writing, "When it rains it pours".

Follow JC Chasez on Twitter here.

Additionally, Paul Ayres shared his sadness on social media, writing, "Absolutely gutted!!"

Follow Paul Ayres on Twitter here.

The tour was set to star Brandon Boyd, Michelle Williams and Ben Forster in addition to Chasez as Pontius Pilate and Johnny Rotten as King Herod.

See BroadwayWorld's complete breaking news coverage of the tour cancellation from Friday, available here.

View the photos of Ben Forster and company pertaining to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR below.

Photo credits: Twitter & Instagram