North American Debut Of Acclaimed JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Comes to Lyric Opera

In the first rock 'n' roll performances of its production history, Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar-the North American debut of Timothy Sheader's explosive, high-energy, Olivier Award-winning production from London's Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre, presented April 27-May 20, 2018 at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago (press opening April 28). Single tickets for the production start at $44 and are on sale now at www.lyricopera.com/jcs, in person at the Lyric Opera House box office or by calling 312-827-5600.

Jesus Christ Superstar is the sixth installment of the Broadway at Lyric initiative. Three-time Olivier Award winner Timothy Sheader directs the North American debut of his acclaimed 2016 production from Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre. Sheader will be joined in Chicago by the original creative team, including Olivier Award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie, Tony Award-nominated set & costume designer Tom Scutt and Olivier Award-nominated lighting designer Lee Curran. The Chicago production will feature members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

"Jesus Christ Superstar is one of the most exciting examples of a rock opera," notes Lyric's General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud. "The Lyric Opera House, which we rent out regularly for rock concerts, will suit this piece wonderfully. Superstar is genuinely grand scale, high energy, and larger than life. It gains immeasurably in impact from being performed in a large space that can accommodate the powerful melodies and the mesmerizing drama those melodies communicate to the audience."

Jesus Christ Superstar is an iconic rock opera that reinvented musical theater for the modern age. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this global blockbuster tells the story of the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, from the perspective of Judas Iscariot. As Christ's followers grow more fervent, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal. Filled with an exciting mix of musical styles that draw upon 1970s rock, gospel, folk and funk themes, this contemporary imagining of the biblical tale features high-energy dance and powerful storytelling.

The Lyric Opera premiere of Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar is generously made possible by Lead Sponsor The Negaunee Foundation and cosponsor Mr. and Mrs. J. Christopher Reyes. Production by The Regent's Park Theatre London.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's mission is to express and promote the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great opera. Lyric exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to Chicago and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form.

Founded in 1954, Lyric is dedicated to producing and performing consistently thrilling, entertaining, and thought-provoking opera with a balanced repertoire of core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works; to creating an innovative and wide-ranging program of community engagement and educational activities; and to developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.

Under the leadership of general director Anthony Freud, music director Sir Andrew Davis, and creative consultant Renée Fleming, Lyric strives to become The Great North American Opera Company for the 21st century: a globally significant arts organization embodying the core values of excellence, relevance, and fiscal responsibility.

To learn more about Lyric's season, go to lyricopera.org. You can also join the conversation with @LyricOpera on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. #Lyric1718 #LongLivePassion

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