Stratford Shakespeare Festival's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Extended Through 11/6

Stratford Shakespeare Festival's new production of Jesus Christ Superstar opened at The Avon Theatre on Friday June 3rd to outstanding reviews with audiences and critics alike raving about this magnificent new take on the now four decade old show. Directed by Des McAnuff, the show tells the story of the last week of Christ's life. Since the show's opened, there has been a flood of theatre insiders travelling to Toronto to see the show to discuss moving it to Broadway.

Now, according to the Beacon Herald, the show has been extended an extra week through November 6. Immediately after it closes in Toronto, the production will move to San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse where it runs at the Mandell Weiss Theatre November 18 - December 31, 2011.

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice both travelled to see the show and came away from their experiences - wildly enthusiastic. Now, Michael Riedel in the New York Post has picked up on the trail this morning, and he adds fuel to the fire that has the show likely to come to Broadway in the Spring of 2012.

This new production is set as an epic rock concert, and features Paul Nolan as Jesus and Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene. The pair were last seen together in 2009 as Tony and Maria in the Stratford production of West Side Story. Completing the love triangle is Josh Young as Judas Iscariot. Brent Carver lends his spectacular voIce To the role of Pontius Pilate, and Festival favourite Bruce Dow plays the role of King Herod.

The full creative team includes Des McAnuff, Director; Lisa Shriver, Choreographer, Rick Fox, Music Director; La Jolla Playhouse Honors award recipient Robert Brill, Set Designer; Paul Tazewell, Costume Designer; Howell Binkley, Lighting Designer; Jim Neil, Sound Designer and Sean Nieuwenhuis, Video Designer. Rounding out the artistic team are Chad Sylvain, Dramaturge; Daniel Levinson, Fight Director; Simon Fon, Aerial Stunt Coordinator; Bradley "Shooz" Rapier, Associate Choreographer; Laura Burton, Associate Musical Director; Lezlie Wade, Assistant Director and Marc Kimelman, Assistant Choreographer.