Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar returns to Dallas for the first time in 10 years as part of a nationwide tour. The classic rock operastops at American Airlines Center on Sunday, June 22.
That alone would be newsworthy, given the high-profile nature of the musical and the fact that theater productions rarely, if ever, come to the AAC. But the mix of actors starring in the show makes it even more intriguing.
First is the tour's Jesus, Ben Forster, who earned the role through the British reality show Superstar, in which the public voted on who they wanted to see play the part. Forster won the competition in July 2012, and he started touring in the United Kingdom two months later.
It's the supporting cast that's really eye-popping, though. Johnny Rotten, a.k.a. John Lydon, from the Sex Pistols plays King Herod; Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child plays Mary Magdalene; JC Chasez from 'N Sync plays Pontius Pilate (and somehow not the role his initials call for); and Brandon Boyd from Incubus plays Judas Iscariot.
All but Forster are starring in their respective roles for the first time, and though all have acted before, it would seem their singing prowess, not their theater skills, won them their roles. Williams, though, does play Mary Magdalene in the soon-to-be released but unrelated film Revival!, a fact that could have helped her get cast here.
Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus from the point of view of Judas. This version of the musical is set in the present day and updated for modern-day audiences.
The 51-city North American tour kick off on June 9 in New Orleans. It will also make stops in San Antonio on June 19, Austin on June 20 and Houston and June 21 before coming to Dallas.
Tickets for the first 22 dates, which includes all the Texas shows except one in El Paso on July 22, go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 11. However, American Express card members can buy tickets now.
Ben Forster in Jesus Christ Superstar, coming to American Airlines Center on June 22.
