The acclaimed musical theatre pair, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, will have their work seen on the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s stage for the first time next summer, when their global hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar is revived at the venue from 15 July to 27 August.
Jesus Christ Superstar in 2016 will mark 45 years since the legendary hit was first seen on stage. The bible-inspired tale is loosely based on the Gospels’ account of the last week of Jesus’ life and features the well-known hits I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar. The iconic rock opera joins an eclectic season that includes the professional premiere of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild, a new production of Henry V directed by Robert Hastie and the return of 2013’s Pride And Prejudice.
The Lloyd Webber musical will be brought to life by the venue’s Artistic Director Timothy Sheader with choreography by the up-and-coming Drew McOnie. McOnie will bring his unique style to Lloyd Webber and Rice’s epic story following his work on this year’s Bugsy Malone, current hit In The Heights and a dance version of The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde, which will be staged at The Old Vic next year.
The four-show season which Jesus Christ Superstar is part of will be completed by Deborah Bruce’s production of Pride And Prejudice, which returns to the venue from 2 to 17 September prior to a UK tour: casting for the season is still to be announced. As a result, the 2016 programme at the outdoor theatre will celebrate British writing, giving them a new voice through the outdoor theatre. Sharing the delight of theatregoing in such a unique setting is sure to delight audiences.