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Jesus Christ Superstar

A thrilling rock opera based on the last week of Jesus’ life, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Drama
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: Greek; Roman & Biblical
  • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Orchestra Size: Small/Combo, Medium, Large

  • Performance Group:
  • High School/Secondary, College Theatre / Student, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Composter (1972)
    Nominee! Five Tony Awards including Best Original Score (1972)
    Nominee! Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical (2000)
    Nominee! Two Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical (2012)
    Winner! Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Musical (2017)
    Nominee! Six Olivier Awards including Outstanding Achievement in Music (2012)
What’s the buzz? The first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage, Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. A timeless work, the rock opera is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.

The iconic 1970s rock score contains such well-known numbers as “Superstar,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Gethsemane.” A true global phenomenon and perfect pick for schools, community theaters and professionals alike, Superstar continues to touch new generations of audiences and performers.
REVIEWS:

"A conceptual and artistic triumph."

The New York Times

"Inarguably, the most successful and loved British musical of all time... and it's fabulous. The extant anthemic quality of the piece — Lloyd Webber's greatest achievement — [is] musically thrilling."

Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune

"A conceptual and artistic triumph... the original musical... for decades has told an ancient story in a way that pushes the audience to reconsider its relevance to the world today."

Noel Murray, The New York Times

Premiere Production:

Jesus Christ Superstar was Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s third collaboration (after The Likes of Us and Joseph). As no one was willing to back their idea as a stage show, the pair first produced the single "Superstar,” sung by Murray Head, near the end of 1969, followed by a concept album of the project with MCA in 1970.

The massive success of the record in the U.S. (the album hit number one) created a huge demand for a Broadway production and Jesus Christ Superstar opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in October 1971. Starring Ben Vereen as Judas and Yvonne Elliman reprising her role from the concept album as Mary, the show received five Tony nods. The U.K. production premiered the following year with Paul Nicholas in the title role. By 1980, after 3,358 performances, Superstar had become the longest-running musical in West End history at the time.

Superstar has been revived on Broadway three times, most recently in 2012, and was last seen in London in 2019’s award-winning Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production at the Barbican. Twice adapted into a film, Superstar has been professionally produced in 42 countries around the world.

On Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, NBC aired a live concert version of the show, featuring John Legend as Jesus, Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas, Alice Cooper as King Herod, Norm Lewis as Caiaphas, and Ben Daniels as Pilate.

Characters

  • Casting: 8M, 1F
  • Casting Attributes: Reduced casting (Doubling Possible), Local Celebrity Cameo, Ensemble cast, Flexible casting, Room for Extras, Roles for Multicultural Casting, Expandable casting, Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)
  • Chorus Size: Medium

  • MARY MAGDALENE
    JESUS OF NAZARETH
    JUDAS ISCARIOT
    KING HEROD
    CAIAPHAS
    PETER
    PONTIUS PILATE
    SIMON ZEALOTES
    ANNAS
    3 PRIESTS
    LEPERS
    CURED LEPERS
    MERCHANTS
    APOSTLES
    SOLDIERS
    JUDAS'S TORMENTORS
    REPORTERS
    TEMPLE LADIES
    SOUL GIRLS

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Rehearsal Material Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    20 Piano Vocal Scores

    		 $550.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material - 5 Piece Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 Piano/Conductor
    1 Bass
    1 Drums
    1 Guitar
    1 Piano

    		 $350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material - 11 Piece Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 Bass
    1 Drums
    1 Guitar 1
    1 Guitar 2
    1 Horn
    1 Keyboard 1
    1 Keyboard 2
    1 Keyboard 3/MD
    1 Percussion
    1 Trumpet
    1 Woodwind

    The 11 piece Orchestration is the 1998 UK Tour Version. It can only be used in conjunction with correct keyboard - Korg Trinity or Yamaha Motif.

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material - 36 Piece Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 Bass
    1 Bass Guitar
    2 Bassoon 1 & 2
    1 Cello
    2 Clarinet 1 & 2
    1 Double Bass
    1 Drums
    3 Flute 1, 2 & 3
    2 Guitar 1 & 2
    4 Horn 1,2,3 & 4
    2 Oboe 1 & 2
    1 Organ
    1 Percussion
    1 Piano
    1 Piano Conductor score
    2 Full Score (Act 1 & 2)
    1 Synth-Moog
    3 Trombone 1,2 & 3
    3 Trumpet 1,2 & 3
    1 Tuba
    1 Viola
    1 Violin 1
    1 Violin 2

    The 36 Piece Orchestration is the original MCA Concept Album.

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

    Piano Vocal Score

    		 $24.00
    Pre-Production Pack Shipped upon receipt of a signed License Agreement and full payment of all invoices. This is optional.

    Piano Vocal Score

    		 $75.00

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