Casting confirmed for Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse

[Press Release] 

November 12, 2011… Casting has been confirmed for the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at La Jolla Playhouse. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Artistic Director Des McAnuff and will run in the Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre from November 18 to December 31, 2011.

The cast will feature Bruce Dow as King Herod, Chilina Kennedy as Mary Magdalene, Jeremy Kushnier as Pontius Pilate, Mike Nadajewski as Peter, Paul Nolan as Jesus and Josh Young as Judas, with Marcus Nance as Caiaphas, Lee Siegel as Simon Zealotes and Aaron Walpole as Annas.

Also in the cast: Matt Alfano as Thaddeus, Mary Antonini as Elizabeth, Karen Burthwright as Ruth, Jacqueline Burtney as Mary (Martha’s Sister), Mark Cassius as Matthew, Ryan Gifford as Bartholomew, Kaylee Harwood as Sarah, Melissa O’Neil as Martha/Maid by the Fire, Laurin Padolina as Rachel, Stephen Patterson as James the Lesser, Katrina Reynolds as Esther, Jaz Sealey as Thomas, Jason Sermonia as John, Julius Sermonia as James, Jonathan Winsby as Phillip, Sandy Winsby as Andrew and Jennifer Rider-Shaw and Matthew Rossoff as swings.

This ground-breaking rock opera, which reinvented musical theatre for the modern age, tells the story of the last week of Christ’s life. The zeal with which Christ’s followers are hailing him as the Son of God becomes a source of dismay to his disciple Judas Iscariot. Fearing that this tide of religious fervor will provoke brutal repression by the occupying Romans, Judas must make his fateful choice between faith and betrayal.

The Stratford production, which closed on November 6, received glowing reviews across the board. The Globe and Mail said, “This production is an absolute miracle,” while the Toronto Star called it “the best show you’ll see this year.” “A sparkling production literally pulsing with life,” wrote the Toronto Sun; and Variety enthused, “McAnuff has managed to come up with a vision that is faithful to the original but manages to make it seem fresh to an audience in 2011.”
Following the Playhouse run, Jesus Christ Superstar will open on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre on Thursday, March 22, 2012, with previews beginning March 1.
Tickets are available online at LaJollaPlayhouse.org or at (858) 550-1010. 

 Cast (in alphabetical order)

Thaddeus                                 Matt Alfano

Elizabeth                                 Mary Antonini

Ruth                                         Karen Burthwright

Mary (Martha’s sister)            Jacqueline Burtney

Matthew/Priest                        Mark Cassius

King Herod                             Bruce Dow

Bartholomew                           Ryan Gifford

Sarah                                       Kaylee Harwood

Mary Magdalene                     Chilina Kennedy

Pontius Pilate                          Jeremy Kushnier

Peter                                        Mike Nadajewski

Caiaphas                                 Marcus Nance

Jesus Christ                             Paul Nolan

Martha/Maid by the Fire         Melissa O’Neil

Rachel                                     Laurin Padolina

James the Lesser/Priest           Stephen Patterson

Esther                                      Katrina Reynolds

Thomas                                   Jaz Sealey

John                                        Jason Sermonia

James                                      Julius Sermonia

Simon Zealotes                        Lee Siegel

Annas                                      Aaron Walpole

Phillip                                      Jonathan Winsby

Andrew/Priest                         Sandy Winsby

Judas Iscariot                          Josh Young

Swings                                     Jennifer Rider-Shaw, Matthew Rossoff

Artistic Credits

Director:                                              Des McAnuff

Choreographer:                                Lisa Shriver

Musical Director:                              Rick Fox

Set Designer:                                    Robert Brill

Costume Designer:                         Paul Tazewell

Lighting Designer:                            Howell Binkley

Video Designer:                                Sean Nieuwenhuis

Sound Designer:                               Jim Neil

Associate Choreographer:           Bradley “Shooz” Rapier

Associate Musical Director:          Laura Burton

Dramaturg:                                         Chad Sylvain

Fight Director:                                   Daniel Levinson

Stunt Coordinator:                         Simon Fon

Casting Director:                               Beth Russell

Technical Director:                           Elissa Horscroft

La Jolla Playhouse

Production Manager:                     Linda S. Cooper

La Jolla Playhouse

Associate Producer:                        Dana I. Harrel

Associate Lighting Designer:        Tristan Tidswell

Associate Sound Designer:          Jesse Ash

Assistant Director:                           Lezlie Wade

Assistant Choreographer:            Marc Kimelman

Assistant Set Designer:                 Brandon Kleiman

Assistant Costume Designer:      Laura Gardner

Assistant Lighting Designer:         Kaileigh Krysztofiak

Assistant Fight Director:                Kevin Robinson

Dance Captain:                                  Matthew Rossoff

Fight Captain:                                    Julius Sermonia

Stage Manager:                                Brian Scott

Assistant Stage Managers:           Meghan Callan, Melissa Rood

-30-