Universal Pictures Australia have announced that the rock opera production ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ will be filmed and shown in selected cinemas around the world including in Australia this coming November for one week only. The show recently opened to a warm reception in London, as part of a 21 date arena tour. You can read Universal’s full press release on the full page.
ANNOUNCING FILMING OF THE NEW ARENA PRODUCTION OF JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR AFTER CRITICS HAIL THE
OPENING OF ITS RUN AN OVERWHELMING SUCCESSIN AUSTRALIAN CINEMAS FROM NOVEMBER 8
“Lloyd Webber’s new generation of superstars hits all the right notes.”
The Times
“A work of conceptual genius”
Daily Telegraph
“Restored to its heavy metal rock origins.”
The Independent
“An almighty success!” Daily Star Sunday
“Blows away tradition.” Daily Mail
Following a triumphant opening weekend at London’s 02 Arena, Universal Pictures Australia is delighted to announce that the 21st century re-invention of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera“Jesus Christ Superstar” will be filmed and shown in selected cinemas worldwide, including Australian screens fromNovember 8, 2012 for one week only.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I have waited 42 years for Jesus Christ Superstar to play arenas in the UK, and it is great to finally see the show as it was originally intended, as an arena rock opera. I’m thrilled that Universal will be filming the new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar for cinema release, which allows us to capture this amazing production and share it with the world!”
The 21-date arena tour, the first ever in the UK, features a star-studded line-up which includes award-winning musical comedian, Australia’s own Tim Minchin – also the co-writer of West End smash musical Matilda – in the role of ‘Judas Iscariot’; pop icon and former Spice GirlMelanie C as ‘Mary Magdalene’; radio DJ Chris Moyles in his stage debut as ‘King Herod’; and the winner of the UK’s primetime ITV show ‘Superstar’, Ben Forster, who was chosen by the British public to take on the title role of ‘Jesus’.
An award-winning creative team has been assembled to transform this legendary rock musical into a unique, contemporary, state-of-the-art spectacular. Director Laurence Connor, known for his work on the 25th anniversary performances and concerts for Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera, works alongside Mark Fisher, the acclaimed world-leading set designer responsible for the staging of the Diamond Jubilee music concert in front of Buckingham Palace, and Patrick Woodroffe who worked on the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, to create a conceptual masterpiece.
The filmed event will be screened on over sixty screens in Australia from November 8, 2012 for one week only.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” is a worldwide phenomenon, portraying the story of the last seven days of Christ leading up to his crucifixion as seen through the eyes of ‘Judas Iscariot’, and featuring hit songs such as ‘Superstar’, ‘I Don’t Know How To Love Him’, ‘Heaven On Their Minds’ and ‘Hosanna’. Over 40 different cast recordings have been released in 19 different languages.
The first production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” was a US arena tour in 1971. It then debuted on Broadway, and, in 1972, UK fans finally got their chance to see this landmark show when it arrived at London’s Palace Theatre – its run of eight years and over 3,000 performances smashed all box office records. Since then, Jesus Christ Superstar has rarely left the stage, with professional productions in 42 countries around the world and with around 300 amateur productions officially licensed each year.
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