The famous musical Jesus Christ Superstar, with lyrics and music by Grammy, Tony, Oscar and Emmy Award-winning team Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, is set to return to Australia.
The show will be performed at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 6 November until 29 December and will also be performed in seasons at Perth’s Crown Theatre (from February 2025) and Melbourne’s Princess Theatre (from March 2025).
The lead cast remains as impressive as ever for the new Australian edition of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Leading the way as Jesus of Nazareth is Michael Paynter – singer and keyboardist in ICEHOUSE and a live member of Jimmy Barnes, Delta Goodrem, Killing Heidi, and Bachelor Girl’s touring bands. He’s also one-half of the songwriting team at MSquared (alongside Michael DeLorenzis), writing and producing songs for Australian country music heroes Casey Barnes, Hayley Jensen, Taylor Moss, and more.
In addition to Paynter, the new Aussie edition of Jesus Christ Superstar features powerhouse vocalist Mahalia Barnes, taking on her first stage role as Mary Magdalene. She has recorded, toured and collaborated with her family (Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel, David Campbell, Diesel), as well as Liam Gallagher, Beth Hart, Birds Of Tokyo, and others.
Portraying Judas Iscariot is theatre star Javon King, who recently wowed audiences with his performance as Seaweed J. Stubbs in the Australian tour of Hairspray.
Producer John Frost said about the new show, “I am delighted that Michael, Javon and Mahalia are joining the cast of this award-winning production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.
“SUPERSTAR is a loved and cherished rock opera, and they are all extraordinary singers and musicians who will bring their unique experience and talent to these roles. I’m so looking forward to hearing them singing in rehearsals those classic songs like Heaven On Their Minds, What’s The Buzz, and I Don’t Know How To Love Him.”
The first Australian cast of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972 was led by Terry Kaff as Jesus, Erl Dalby as Judas, and Shauna Jensen as Mary. In 1973, Jesus Christ Superstar took to the stage, with Trevor White portraying Jesus, Jon English as Judas, and the iconic Marcia Hines as Mary. Other cast members included Australian music icons, Stevie Wright and John Paul Young.
The most famous Australian version of Jesus Christ Superstar—and perhaps the most rocking—occurred in 1992, with John Farnham as Jesus, Jon Stevens as Judas, and Kate Ceberano as Mary. They were joined by John Waters, Angry Anderson, Russell Morris, and David Gould.
In 2013, Jesus Christ Superstar returned to Australia with British star Ben Forster as Jesus, Spice Girl Mel C as Mary, and Australia’s own Tim Minchin as Judas.
You can find tickets for the Sydney editions of Jesus Christ Superstar here and sign up for the waitlist for the Perth and Melbourne seasons here.
