Eastbourne dates for Jesus Christ Superstar on tour

It plays Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre from April 15- 20.

Ian McIntosh (We Will Rock You, Follies, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Olivier nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical) will play Jesus; Shem Omari James (Dreamgirls UK tour) will play Judas and Hannah Richardson (Sting’s The Last Ship) plays Mary.

A spokesman said: “Featuring lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this production was reimagined by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre where it originated and is helmed by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie.

“A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for decades, Jesus Christ Superstar’s iconic 1970s rock score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. The original London production ran for over eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time.

“Jesus Christ Superstar has been reproduced regularly around the world in the years since its first appearance, with performances including a Broadway revival in 2012, an ITV competition TV show called Superstar that led to casting Ben Forster as Jesus in an arena tour of the show and a production at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre celebrating 45 years since the musical’s Broadway debut.

“Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the legendary score includes I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.

“This production of Jesus Christ Superstar won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017.

In 2015, Ian McIntosh was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre) – a role he created in the West End. Additional theatre credits include Galileo Figaro in We Will Rock You (London Coliseum, 20th anniversary UK & Ireland tour); Deco Cuffe in The Commitments (UK & Ireland Tour); Young Ben Stone in Follies (National Theatre); Sid Worley in An Officer and A Gentleman (UK and Ireland Tour); Bud in Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (The Criterion); Ray/Alternate Deco Cuffe in The Commitments (Palace Theatre); Alternate Drew Boley in Rock of Ages (Garrick & Shaftesbury Theatres); An Evening with Duncan Sheik & Stephen Sater (The Other Palace); Hair (European Arena Tour); High School Musical 2 (UK and Ireland Tour); Can’t Buy Me Love (UK Tour).

Shem Omari James (Judas) trained at Arts Educational Schools London. Theatre credits include Dreamgirls (UK Tour); Vanara (Hackney Empire); The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Curve) and Songs For a New World (London Palladium).