Jesus Christ Superstar to close on 1 Jul 2012

The producers of the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar have announced that unless business improves, the musical will close at the Neil Simon Theatre on 1 Jul 2012. As of that date, the show will have played 116 regular performances and 24 previews. The show had been booking through to 2 Sep 2012.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber (score) and Tim Rice's (lyrics) Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by the Festival's Artistic Director Des McAnuff, opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on 22 Mar 2012, following previews from 1 Mar 2012.

The musical opened on Broadway to mixed reviews: The parts just don't add up (newyorktheatreguide); Alternately hilarious and preposterous (NY Times); Minor and pretty mindless (NY Daily News); Lacks soul (Back Stage); As a time-travel experience it offers plenty to enjoy (Hollywood Reporter).

The cast stars 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, Krista Leis and Matthew Rossoff as swings.

With the exception of Tom Hewitt (Pontius Pilate), Jaz Sealey (Thomas), Jeremy Kushnier (James the Lesser/Priest) and Karen Burthwright (Ruth),' the cast are reprising the roles they created when the production premiered at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

The creative team includes choreographer Lisa Shriver, musical director Rick Fox, set designer Robert Brill, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Howell Binkley, sound designer Steve Canyon Kennedy and video designer Sean Nieuwenhuis.

The production began life at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival, were it opened at the Avon Theatre on 3 Jun 2011, following previews from 16 May 2011, and will play through to 6 Nov 2011. The production received excellent reviews: This production is an absolute miracle (Globe and Mail); The best show you'll see this year (Toronto Star); A sparkling production literally pulsing with life (Toronto Sun).

Following its run at the Stratford Shakespeare Festivel, the production moved tothe La Jolla Playhouse where it began performances on 18 Nov 2011 and is playing through to 31 Dec 2011.

Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of the last week of Christ's life. The zeal with which Christ's followers are hailing him as the Son of God becomes a source of dismay to his disciple Judas Iscariot. Fearing that this tide of religious fervor will provoke brutal repression by the occupying Romans, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal.

The score contains the musical numbers: "Everything's Alright," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Could We Start Again Please?" and "Superstar."