Superstars wanted

Jan 20 2018 | By Thom Dibdin More

Captivate secures Jesus Christ Superstar

Edinburgh amateur company Captivate Theatre has secured the rights to stage Jesus Christ Superstar at the Edinburgh Fringe 2018 and has posted an open casting call for the show.

The production is slated to run for ten days – Wednesday 15 to Sunday 26 August – in the 5pm slot at the Rose Theatre. All cast members will need to be over 18 years old.

Auditions are to be held at Fettes College on Saturday 10 February 2018, starting at 10am. Applicants will be offered a five minute slot on a first-come first-serve basis, where they will be asked to sing a song from the show that best shows off their voice.

Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus Christ Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. The story, told entirely through song, explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers and the Roman Empire.

It was the first musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to be produced for the professional stage. Superstar started as a concept album in 1970, was staged on Broadway in 1971 and London’s West End the following year.

Casting

Casting calls for three principals – Jesus of Nazareth, Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene. There are six featured roles – King Herod, Caiaphas, Peter, Pontius Pilate, Simon Zealotes and Annas – and a singing ensemble consisting of Lepers, Cured Lepers, Merchants, Apostles, Soldiers, Judas’s Tormentors, Reporters, Temple Ladies, and Soul Girls.

Lloyd Webber’s score contains such well-known numbers as Superstar, I Don’t Know How to Love Him and Gethsemane.

Captivate say that they will send a song list to all auditionees, adding: “Please let us know in your initial email if there is any time you can’t do. We’re looking for the best voices for this show. After all, it is the original Rock Opera!”