TwitterJC Chasez, Michelle Williams and more performers are about to bring rock and religion to a U.S. stage near you.
The 'N Sync singer and Destiny's Child songbird join John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), Incubus' Brandon Boyd and Ben Forster in bringing the famous Jesus Christ Superstar musical to North America for a 50-city tour, which kicks off in New Orleans at the Lakefront Arena on June 9, and stops in Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and more, before coming to a close in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Arena on Aug. 17.
"Proud to be a part of such an interesting project. The beginning of a new adventure #JesusChristSuperstar," Chasez tweeted, and followed with a photo of the cast, "Looking forward to a religious experience #SuperstarTour @JCSTheMusical."
Chasez will play Pontius Pilate, Williams will take on the female lead as Mary Magdalene, Boyd has the role of Judas Iscariot, Lydon will be King Herod and Forster, who won England's ITV Superstar competition in 2012 and played the lead role in the U.K. and Australian arena tours of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, will reprise his role as Jesus.
Boyd and Williams appeared on Good Morning America this morning to give viewers a taste of what they can expect on the tour. And it looks promising!
"I am so thrilled to be a part of this amazing production!" Boyd reportedly said. "I grew up on Andrew Lloyd Webber's classics and never imagined I would be playing a role in one, let alone with such an incredibly diverse cast of players. Truly an honor!"
"When I heard Jesus Christ Superstar was coming to the states, I was excited at the idea to be a part of telling one of the most influential stories in history through the scope of such a talented composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber," Chasez explained. "I'm excited to work with such a dynamic cast, and to bring Jesus Christ Superstar back to its roots as a rock arena experience."
"Blessed to stand in the company of Academy, Golden Globe, Tony and Grammy Award winning writers and composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice," Williams wrote on Instagram. "Their credits combined include...Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Evita, Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast, The Lion King, AIDA, Phantom of the Opera, and Cats!
"I'm honored because two out 5 Broadway shows that I've been in are their shows!! AIDA in 2003 and now Jesus Christ Superstar! They have written and composed timeless music that we allllllll love!! I remember in my childhood being rejected for shows in theatre but God had another plan! I stayed true to my love for the arts and NEVER gave up!! Hope this encourages some of you to keep fighting! Do the work, prepare!!! This little girl from Rockford, IL...her dreams are coming true!! #vision#dreams#broadway#theatre#inspire"
Tickets for the first 22 shows, New Orleans through Edmonton, will go on sale beginning Friday, April 11, at www.jesuschristsuperstar.com. American Express card holders can purchase tickets before the general public beginning today. All subsequent market on-sale dates will be announced locally in the weeks to come.