ITV1 and Andrew Lloyd Webber today announce Superstar – a brand new show that will give the British public the chance to choose the country’s next major rock star.
The winner’s life-changing prize will be the leading role in a new arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar which will open at London’s O2 arena.
Superstar will be television’s first ‘school of rock’, helping talented singers achieve their potential. Andrew Lloyd Webber hopes the British public will help him discover an extraordinary new voice to fill the country’s largest arenas.
Andrew Lloyd Webber says: “Presenting a new, 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar for arenas is truly exciting. Some of the best performances of this show have been in rock venues and I’m thrilled to see the show return to its roots. ITV is providing the perfect platform for us to find a new, British Superstar.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber has previously discovered brilliant new stars for West End productions of The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz. Theatre audiences have grown, there has been an increase in musical theatre licensing by amateur societies and a surge in applications at stage schools.
“It is the public who lead the casting process and they’ve got it absolutely right four times already. It’s been wonderful to see the careers of so many of the contestants blossom, so it will be especially fascinating to see who the public chooses as their Superstar!” says Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Auditions will take place across the country during February-March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. The UK’s most promising new talent will perform on stage in the hope of impressing the casting panel for a place in the final live shows.
The casting team will whittle down the numbers for the live shows featuring those they believe have potential to become a superstar.
Lloyd Webber will be joined by a carefully selected panel of judges to help him in his search. But ultimately it will be up to the British public to decide who they want to be his Superstar and play Jesus.
Elaine Bedell, ITV’s Director of Entertainment & Comedy, says: “We are asking ITV viewers to help us find a new superstar - in every sense of the word. We’re looking for the kind of performer who can fill arenas – and produce a rocking performance to match.”
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV Studios says: “Live primetime entertainment is at the heart of ITV Studios and we’re delighted to be working with Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to bring this nationwide search to ITV1.”
Superstar is executive produced by Peter Davey with Katharine Begg as series producer.
Superstar is an ITV Studios production for ITV1.
How to Apply:
Please go to www.itv.com/superstar for full details on how to apply and audition. Anyone can apply over the age of 18 yrs, be it professional or amateur.
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Good luck in your search! My opinion, no one can fill the shoes of Ted Neeley! However, I’m sure whom ever you get will do a great job of their own. Teds shoe’s will be very hard for them to fill. It saddens me that he will be leaving. Could I have missread the atricle and maybe you’re just creating another show to add to the venue? I hope I am wrong and that Ted will be continuing his current role! He is the best and I would love a chance to see the show with him starring, in person one day! I missed the show when they were in my area back in 2009 as I was caring for my ill father. Ted Neeley, you are the best!
Well, personally I would look for the role of Judas not JC. I don’t think you need to look any further than Steve Balsamo himself for that!. His performance in the show was stunning. And if possible, his voice has gotten better over the years. Such an amazing and awesome voice. He’s still young enough to do it too. You only have to look at the video on Youtube of him performing Gethsemane in Ahoy which has over a million views and see the comments to know that he his regarded by thousands as the best ever! And thousands would pay a fortune to see him perform JC again. . The fact that people are still raving about his performance 14 years after says something!
I agree with Serena-Steve Balsamo has been the best I’ve ever seen and heard so the lads who want to take on the post have a lot to live up to. Next best I’ve seen is Glenn Carter( Jersey Boys & on the DVD).
Would have liked to see and hear Lee Mead in the roll of JC but he took on Joseph.Thought he’d do an emotional roll.
At 14yrs I was in our school production Quarrendon,Aylesbury) of JCS-our JC was a sixth former and brilliant. We won a lot of awards and cups as we played around Bucks with our musical!
Best of luck to all involved-I’ll be watching!
I really hope it is an excellent show. I have never seen it because my dad isn’t religious and believes that the show will be rubbish. I disagreee so good luck Lloyd Webber.
Hi there,
Should be great, I myself am auditioning. However, I have one question.Beyond the actual “Superstar” Tv show, will there be opportunity to audition for other parts in the show ?
Thank You. James
The best of all there musicals by far and def balsano as jc is untouchable!!!!!!cant wait for the show to come to the palace!!!!!
Hi, please could there be at least one access performance for the winning Jesus, and an access performance for the runner up? For the Wizard of Oz, as I recall, there was only one British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performance but hearing audiences could decide whether to see Danielle or Sophie as Dorothy. I admit I may have pestered Melanie (one of the panelists) via Twitter to ask that Viva Forever (Spice Girls musical) is accessible, mainly because the Spice Girls’ Spice World Tour (1998, near-fully interpreted) inspired me to research this issue! Andy Higgins at BSL Tickets may be able to either interpret or arrange an interpreter! Thanks for your time!
Cast and audition all you’d like, but no one will ever be able to fill the shoes of Ted Neeley playing JC. Saw the show in Colorado twice, and both times were absolutely jaw dropping (especially the first time, with Cory Glover playing Judas).