Jesus Christ Superstar Comes to Life on Broadway as Previews Begin

The latest Broadway resurrection of Jesus Christ Superstar is officially underway as the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical begins previews at the Neil Simon Theater on March 1. The popular rock opera will open on March 22. The revival is directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff.

Jesus Christ Superstar, a musical based very loosely on the Gospel's account of the last week of Jesus' life, was first produced on Broadway in 1971. This production began life at Stratford Shakespeare Festival, before transferring to San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse ahead of its arrival on Broadway. The show’s famous songs include “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Heaven on Their Minds,” “What’s the Buzz” and the title song.

The Broadway cast features Paul Nolan, Josh Young and Chilina Kennedy reprising their roles as Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene, respectively. Tom Hewitt will take on the role of Pontius Pilate, with Bruce Dow as King Herod, Marcus Nance as Caiaphas and Aaron Walpole as Annas.