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Hallelujah! @JesusChristSuperstar (Facebook/Instagram) @JCSTheMusical (Twitter) returns to Philadelphia celebrating its 50th Anniversary Tour. Presented by @KimmelCC (Twitter)/@KimmelCulturalCampus (Facebook/Instagram) 5/2-7. Visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for info.
Press Contacts:
Lauren Woodard Hall
484-832-1963
lhall@kimmelculturalcampus.org
Carole J. Morganti
609-953-0570
CJMPR01@aol.com
Bryan Buttler
609-902-0923
bryan@bryanbuttlermediarelations.com
“A gorgeous, thrilling, heavenly musical.”
- The Guardian
“Hallelujah! An almighty revelation.”
- The Daily Telegraph
“An adrenaline-pumping production.”
- The New York Times
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA ON THE KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS WITH 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR, MAY 2 – 7, 2023
University of the Arts Graduate, Jack Hopewell, Stars In Title Role
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 4, 2023) – Following critically acclaimed, sold-out engagements in the UK, the reimagined 50th Anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar comes to the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Miller Theater (formerly Merriam Theater) Tuesday – Sunday, May 2 – 7, 2023. The 2017 Olivier Award-winning production from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization.
“It has been over a decade since this phenomenal musical – the Hamilton of its generation that changed the Broadway landscape – has visited our Campus,” said Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. “Based around the life of Christ but reflecting modern day issues, this 50th Anniversary production and renowned rock-opera score appeals to both theater fans and concert and music aficionados.”
Jack Hopewell, a graduate of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, stars as Jesus, joined by Elvie Ellis as Judas and Faith Jones as Mary. The tour also welcomes Grant Hodges as Caiphas, Nicholas Hambruch as Pilate, and Temple University graduate Kodiak Thompson as Annas.
The ensemble includes Ethan Hardy Benson, Joshua Bess, Jordan Wesley Brown, Jahlil M. Burke, Cooper Clack, Kalei Cotecson, Emma Cook, Lydia Eku, Savannah Fisher, Domanick Anton Hubbard, Haley Huelsman, Jeremy Makana Hurr, Brett Hennessey Jones, Lena Matthews, Hosea Mundi, L’Oreal Roache, Colin Robertson, Darren James Robinson, Erich W. Schleck and Lauren Soto.
Featuring lyrics and music by Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, the North American tour of this iconic musical is helmed by acclaimed director Timothy Sheader and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie. Rounding out the creative team are set and costume design by 2016 Tony Award nominee Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by Keith Caggiano and Nick Lidster, with music supervision by Tom Deering and North American music supervisor David Holcenberg.
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.”
Jesus Christ Superstar is a proven musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base, as demonstrated by NBC’s 2022 Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. The live televised performance of this epic work attracted over 9.6 million viewers, earned the highest ratings in its time period, and received the highest critical ranking of any live musical event on network TV. On September 17, 2021, a variety of special edition Jesus Christ Superstar albums, remastered at Abbey Road, were released. These special anniversary editions are a celebration of the original 1970 double concept album and its continued success spanning an incredible 50 years.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017. The production played a West End engagement at the Barbican in 2019 before returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in concert version during the summer of 2020.
The 2022 -2023 North American tour of Jesus Christ Superstar is produced by Work Light Productions. The original production was produced by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
For additional information about this production, please visit ustour.JesusChristSuperstar.com
Facebook & Instagram: @JesusChristSuperstar | Twitter: @JCSTheMusical
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater) on the Kimmel Cultural Campus
May 2 – 7, 2023
Times Vary
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THE SHUBERT ORGANIZATION
The Shubert Organization is America’s oldest professional theatre company and the largest theatre owner on Broadway. Since the dawn of the 20th century, Shubert has operated hundreds of theatres and produced hundreds of plays and musicals both in New York City and throughout the United States. Shubert currently owns and operates 17 Broadway theatres, six off-Broadway venues, and the Forrest Theatre in Philadelphia. Under the leadership of Robert E. Wankel, Chairman and CEO, The Shubert Organization continues to be a leader in the theatre industry. Shubert delivers innovative ticketing solutions via its Telecharge interface, API distribution, and private-label technology, offering unparalleled distribution and marketing to the theatre industry and beyond. Its consumer-facing brands—Telecharge for retail ticket sales and Broadway Inbound for group buyers, tour operators, and the travel industry—sell millions of tickets each year. The Shubert Foundation, sole shareholder of The Shubert Organization, Inc., is dedicated to sustaining and advancing live performing arts in the United States. The Foundation provides general operating support to not-for-profit theatres and dance companies. Foundation grants in 2022 totaled $37.6 million to 609 grantees.
KIMMEL CULTURAL CAMPUS
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, our mission is to engage the region's diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1-million guests per year and includes Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, and SEI Innovation Studio), the Academy of Music, and the Miller Theater (formerly the Merriam Theater) – representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts. We are home to The Philadelphia Orchestra and six esteemed Resident Companies: Opera Philadelphia, Philadelphia Ballet, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, we are the region's most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, we serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region's young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. Read Kimmel Cultural Campus' vision statement, world view, and mission statement here. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it encompasses our mission, coworkers, and programs here.
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For photography, please visit https://kcccpress.smugmug.com
For a PDF version of this press release, click here.