YORK Musical Theatre Company will stage Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar from November 27 to 30 at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.
Company newcomer John Whitney will lead director Paul Laidlaw’s cast for this 1972 rock opera, a “musical phenomenon” that follows the last week of Jesus’s life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, exploring the struggles and personal relationships between his followers and disciples.
For this gritty and touching emotional rollercoaster ride, Lloyd Webber and Rice’s score parades such favourites as Superstar, Everything’s Alright and I Don’t Know How To Love Him.
Laidlaw is joined in the creative team by musical director John Atkin, overseeing a cast led by Whitney’s Jesus, Marlena Kelli’s Mary Magdalene, Peter Wookie as Pilate and Chris Mooney as Judas.
“We were thrilled to have such a great response to auditions, particularly from so many new faces to the company,” says Laidlaw. “We’ve always been proud of the fact that we welcome any new people to join any show that we do, and if you’re new, you can walk into lead roles, and that’s what’s happened.
“Our actors playing Jesus, Judas, Pilate and Mary Magdalene are all new to the company and it’s really encouraging to see. The strength in the singing is staggering and is going to sound just fantastic on stage. We really can’t wait to show York audiences all our hard work.”
Further principal roles go to John Haigh as Herod; Chris Haygard as Simon Zealotes; Martin Harvey, Caiphas; Matthew Clare, Annas; Simon Trow and Malcolm Poole, Priests; David Martin, Apostle Peter, and Heather Richmond, Maid.
In the ensemble will be Helen Barugh; Victoria Hughes; Helen Goodwill; Samantha Hindman; Jane Holiday; Elly-Mai Mawson; Karen Mawson; Jennifer Page; Amie Stone; Holly Inch; Amy Lacy; Paula Stainton; Charlotte Wetherell; Matthew Ainsworth; Derek McMahon and Andrew Pilot.
Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee are on sale at £18, concessions £16, at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk or on 01904 501935.
Charles Hutchinson