CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF ICONIC MUSICAL PHENOMENON JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, PLAYING THE SMITH CENTER NOV. 5-10

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR 50^TH ANNIVERSARY

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF ICONIC MUSICAL PHENOMENON

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR AS IT RETURNS TO ITS ROCK ROOTS

PLAYING THE SMITH CENTER IN LAS VEGAS NOV. 5-10

Work Light Productions recently announced casting for the 50^th Anniversary Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s iconic musical, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Winner of the 2017 Olivier Award® for Best Musical Revival, the North American presentation of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production officially launch at Austin’s Bass Concert Hall on Oct. 8 before visiting more than 30 cities including Las Vegas, where it will play The Smith Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 5-10. Tickets starting at $40 are available at TheSmithCenter.com.

 

“We are thrilled to have put together this incredible company. It’s now time for us to plug into the Brown Album and make that music live again on stage. The show will resound with audiences across North America like it was written for us today,” says director Tim Sheader.

 

The cast is led by Aaron LaVigne (Spider Man: Turn Off The Dark, RENT) in the role of Jesus along with James Delisco Beeks (Kinky Boots, Aida) as Judas, Jenna Rubaii (Groundhog Day, American Idiot) as Jesus’ devoted follower Mary and Alvin Crawford (The Lion King, Candide) as Caiaphas.

Casting also includes Tommy Sherlock (Pilate), Tyce Green (Annas), Eric A. Lewis (Simon), Paul Louis Lessard (Herod), Tommy McDowell (Peter), along with David André, Sara Andreas, Wesley J. Barnes, Derek Ferguson, Brian Golub, Brittany Rose Hammond, Garfield Hammonds, Keirsten Nicole Hodgens, Sheila Jones, Rebecca Kritzer, Jacob Lacopo, Charles McCall, Danny McHugh, Pepe Nufrio, Sarah Parker, Erick Patrick, SandyRedd, Jasmine Schmenk, and Chelsea Williams (Pepe Nufrio and Tommy Sherlock are appearing with the support of Actors’ Equity Association).

 

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’.

 

The North American tour will be helmed by acclaimed director Timothy Sheader and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie, with set and costume design by 2016 Tony Award^Ò nominee, Tom Scutt and music supervision by Tom Deering. Rounding out the creative team is lighting design by Lee Curran, with co-sound design by Keith Caggiano and Nick Lidster.

 

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a proven musical phenomenon with a world-wide fan base. The original 1971 concept album (commonly known as The Brown Album) was named Album of the Year on the Billboard Pop Charts, surpassing albums such as Carole King’s “Tapestry” and Janis Joplin’s “Pearl.” NBC’s recent Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert starring John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Alice Cooper won a 2018 Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special.

 

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 opened for a limited engagement on West End, this summer at the Barbican.

 

The North American tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is produced by Stephen Gabriel and Work Light Productions by arrangement with Really Useful Group Ltd. Casting is by Wojcik/ Seay Casting. The original production was produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

 

For additional information about this production, please visit ustour.JesusChristSuperstar.com

 

Facebook & Instagram: @JesusChristSuperstar | Twitter: @JCSTheMusical

CAST BIOS

 

Aaron LaVigne (Jesus) is honored to be playing the iconic role of Jesus in the 50th Anniversary Production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He is also a songwriter originally from Cincinnati and based in New York City. Theater highlights include Broadway: Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Off-Broadway: RENT. National Tour: RENT. Regional Theater: Jesus Christ Superstar; Civil War; tick,tick…BOOM!. Concerts: symphonic soloist, and guest artist with various cruise and land-based companies. Aaron writes, performs, and tours his original music. His EP, Call Your Mom, is available at the merch table & on iTunes & all streaming services. He is a founding member of Here Comes The Sun, celebrating the music of the greatest music of all time, The Beatles (@HCTSband). aaronlavigne.com. Instagram: @aaron_lavinay. B.F.A. Northern Kentucky University.

 

James Delisco Beeks (Judas) is an award-winning entertainer and seasoned Broadway performer whose credits include Kinky Boots, Aida, Ragtime, and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. He was also seen Off-Broadway in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party. James is the winner of the Reality TV series “The Entertainer” on E!; where he won a $1 million dollar contract to headline in Las Vegas. As one of world’s leading MJ Tribute artists, he moonwalked his way through the US, Canada, and Asia with Windborne’s Music of Michael Jackson symphonic tour to rave reviews from 2010-2019. He is also an author currently finishing his new novel entitled ‘HisStory (An American story) to be released in 2020. For more information and music visit jamesbeeks.com. Social: @jamesdbeeks

 

Jenna Rubaii (Mary). Originally from Clearwater, Florida, Jenna started her career at the age of six in an all-girl song and dance group in Tampa, performing at corporate events, festivals, spring training baseball stadiums, half time at sporting events and for two presidents. Jenna recently originated the role of “Joelle” in the original cast of the critically-acclaimed musical Groundhog Day on Broadway, performing on the “Tony Awards®,” “Good Morning America” and on the Original Broadway Cast Recording. She also starred in in the International Tour of Green Day’s American Idiot, as “Extraordinary Girl,” and in the Asia Tour of Saturday Night Fever, as “Stephanie Mangano,” playing to sold-out houses from Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theater to London’s Hammersmith Apollo to Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Jenna fronts the band, Water & Rye (debut EP available on Spotify & Apple Music) and has performed regularly throughout NYC at Joe’s Pub, 54 Below, Club Bonafide and Rockwood Music Hall. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music from University of Miami. Jenna is also an ambassador for the fair-trade fashion company, Noonday Collection. In her downtime, she is an avid yoga practitioner, a nature-loving hiker and a craft-cocktail aficionado, infamous for dragging her friends on adventures that involve all three. @jrubaii www.JennaRubaii.com

Alvin Crawford (Caiaphas). Broadway: The Lion King, Lost In The Stars, Candide, Miss Saigon and The Buddy Holly Story. Regional credits: A Raisin In the Sun at Westport Country Playhouse, The Odyssey at The Old Globe. National Tours: The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Crown) and Martin Guerre (Andre). Film / TV appearances include Blue Bloods “Law & Order SVU,” “Nurse Jackie,” And So It Goes, It Runs in the Family, Clarence, Pray For Me Paul Henderson, PBS Live From Lincoln Center’s Production of Show Boat and PBS Live from Carnegie Hall’s production of South Pacific. Alvin is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

Tommy Sherlock (Pilate). Tommy, the ‘scouser’ is from the Beatles’ homeland…Liverpool! Tommy fought his way through childhood as a black belt in karate. Many trophies, British and world titles and few broken noses later, he gracefully, like a duck to water, started dancing…(Bruce Lee was a ballroom and Latin dancing champion….. so it’s all good). From acting in scenes of the cult comedy League of Gentlemen, to dancing his way through life in Wicked, from leading the way in Footloose in his first lead role, to getting naked in Hair, the last 12 years on the West End stage brought him to Las Vegas, where he and his fellow mates stormed the strip with their very own show, Tenors of Rock. The headlining show was an instant hit, scooping both the Best of Las Vegas/Vegas.com awards for ‘best new show’ and has ran for over 700 performances to date.

 

Tyce Green (Annas) has toured and opened for mega-hit bands Heart, Air Supply, and Berlin. His debut album, HERO, is written and produced by legendary Grammy-Award winning songwriter Jim Steinman. In 2018, Tyce was featured in the first round of the new season 1 of “American Idol” on ABC. Select theatre credits: Rock of Ages (Franz), Altar Boyz (Mark), Hands on a Hardbody (Chris), Spring Awakening (Moritz), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (John Calhoun). Social media: @tyce. tyceofficial.com

 

Eric A. Lewis (Simon) is glad to be in the number with the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Other credits include the off-Broadway hit Spamilton, Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls at Porchlight Music Theatre (Jeff Award), Five Guys Named Moe at Court Theater, Jim Conley in Parade at Boho Theater, Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, All Shook Up, and That’s What I Call Rick n Roll at Fireside Theater, In the Heights (Seattle Rep, Milwaukee Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Paramount Theater), Ragtime and Sister Act at Marriott Theatre.

Paul Louis Lessard (Herod). National Tour debut! Favorite Regional: Frank Wildhorn’s US premiere of The Count Of Monte Cristo (Albert De Morcerf, Pioneer Theatre Co), North Shore Music Theatre, Portland Center Stage, The Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Penn. Shakes, MSMT, Northern Stage, MTW. Film: Easter Mysteries. Lincoln Center: I Am Harvey Milk. NYC: NYMF award winner. University of Michigan BFA. Interlochen Arts Academy. London Dramatic Academy. paullouislessard.com

 

Tommy McDowell (Peter). National Tours: Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret (Max, Herman, Cliff u/s), American Idiot (1st National, Swing). Regional: Jersey Boys (Nick Massi), Hairspray (Link Larkin), Grey Gardens (Joe Kennedy, Jr), Urinetown (Bobby Strong), The Who’s TOMMY (Tommy), Once (Eamon). IG: @tommy_mcdowell.

 

David André (Ensemble) is thrilled to be on the 50th Anniversary Jesus Christ Superstar tour, his first National Tour. He is a native of Miami, FL, attended the Boston Conservatory for a BFA in Musical Theater, and is now currently based in NYC. Since moving to NYC, he has been involved in an international tour, regional productions, workshops, readings, concerts and has worked with incredible directors, choreographers and composer like Sammi Cannold, Trevor Bachman, Stephen Hoggett, and Stephen Casey. He has also been involved in live podcast recordings of a show called Farmed: A Live Podcast Musical. His past credits include Into the Woods (Jack, Theater 2020), Smokey Joe’s Café (Victor, Dutch Apple), The Brontës (George Smith, Theater in Asylum), HAIR (Geva Theater Center), Ragtime on Ellis Island (Directed by Sammi Cannold), Ragtime (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), We Are Here (Jerome, NYC Workshop directed by Steven Hoggett) and Legally Blonde (China Tour).

Instagram: @da_go

 

Sara Andreas (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of such an iconic show. Broadway/Off-Broadway: Escape To Margaritaville (Female Tourist, u/s Rachel), Catch Me of You Can, Clueless the Musical (Heather, u/s Mrs. Geist/ Ms. Stoeger). National Tours/Las Vegas: Rock of Ages (Regina), Anything Goes, Addams Family (u/s Morticia), Legally Blonde (u/s Brooke, Serena, Margot, Pilar). Instagram @Sara.Andreas. www.glitterartbysara.com

Wesley J. Barnes (Ensemble) is a Los Angeles Native/NYC Transplant. Received a BA in theatre performance from Concordia University Irvine. Favorite credits include: Magic of the Dance (Germany and Taiwan), The Scottsboro Boys, Newsies, Sophisticated Ladies, Hairspray, Pamelas First Musical, Songs for a New World, Choir Boy, In the Heights. Insta-@mistahwes

 

Derek Ferguson (Swing/Assistant Dance Captain) hails from Kansas City, Mo! Theatre: Wonderland (Broadway), We Will Rock You (Vegas), LA’s For The Record series; BAZ (Scott Hastings), Boogie Nights (Dirk Diggler) and Zemekis (Marty McFly). Film: No Strings Attached (Benji), Behind the Candelabra. T.V.: “The Marvelous Ms. Maisel,” “The Tick,” “Trueblood” and both seasons of NBC’s “SMASH.” Derek has backup danced for Ne-Yo, Miley Cyrus, Paula Abdul, Jordin Sparks, The Pussycat Dolls and Betty White!

 

Brian Golub (Ensemble). Brian Golub’s most notable film credit is his supporting role as Kristen Bell’s secretary in Disney/Touchstone Pictures’ When In Rome. Tours: School of Rock (1^st National, Gabe/Jeff/Mr. Hamilton, u/s Ned), Joseph…Dreamcoat (Reuben), Jekyll & Hyde (South Korean Tour). Recording: Grammy nominated cast album of Hair (Broadway Actors Fund Benefit). NYC: Standard Time, NBS, Fleet Week, Caligula, Floyd Collins. Awards: Carbonell Award Best Actor Winner (Huey in Memphis at the Slow Burn Theatre), Carbonell Best Supporting Actor Nominee (Motel in Fiddler On The Roof and Malcom in Full Monty at the Actors Playhouse), Zoni Award Best Supporting Actor Nominee (Abraham in Altar Boyz at the Phoenix Theatre). Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour, Phoenix Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas, Casa Mañana), Nerds (Philadelphia Theatre Co.), South Pacific (Professor, Barrington Stage), Spamalot (Herbert), Wedding Singer (George, Gateway Playhouse), Spelling Bee (Coney Bear, Actors Playhouse and Chip, Phoenix Theatre), All Shook Up (Dennis), Les Miserable (Combeferre, Maine State), Forever Plaid (Jinx in 7 productions). Brian is also a NYC based yoga Teacher and Reiki Healer. BrianGolub.com, @brigolub.

 

Brittany Rose Hammond (On-Stage Swing) AKA “Bitty” is elated to be part of one of her favorite shows! Favorite credits include: Me and My Girl (City Center Encores!), HAIR (National Tour), Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain (Engeman Theater) and Gingy in Shrek (Sacramento Music Circus). When not onstage, this California native is a passionate dance teacher and choreographer. BrittanyRoseHammond.com

 

Garfield Hammonds (Ensemble). Originally from Lorain/Cleveland Ohio. Holds a Master of Music Degree from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Lives in NYC. Broadway/Nat’l Tours: Motown The Musical; Kiss Me, Kate. Fave credits: PMJ, Ragtime, Man of La Mancha, 25th Annual…Spelling Bee, Big River, Smokey Joe’s Café. Opera: Metropolitan Opera Competition (Distr. Winner), La Traviata, L’Elisir d’Amor, Cosi Fan Tutte, La Cenerentola, Porgy & Bess. Instagram: @gfield3

 

Keirsten Nicole Hodgens (Soul Girl) is elated to be joining the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar! Selected Regional Credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Master Class (Timeline Theater), Ragtime (Marriott Theater Lincolnshire), Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theater) and Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Drury Lane). She is an Indianapolis native and is proud to now be a New York resident! Instagram: @shespeaksmusic

Sheila Jones (Ensemble) is grateful to be a part of this production and cast. This is her national tour debut and is excited to see more of America. Favorite credits include Oklahoma (Denver Center), Swing (NCL), Ragtime (Lees McRae), and Once On This Island (Lakeland Center). BFA from Florida State University. @jo.sheila

 

Rebecca Kritzer (Swing/Dance Captain) is a New Yorker by way of Miami, is thrilled to be a part of this iconic show! First national tours include Wicked, and the original company of In The Heights. She has also performed In The Heights regionally at The Actor’s Playhouse, Theatre Under the Stars, and Olney Theatre Centre, where she also served as Associate Choreographer and Dance Captain. She performed in Israel with the Broadway musical Soul Doctor, and most recently was seen in West Side Story at Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Rebecca lives in New York, working as an actor in theater, TV and film, and as an arts educator and dance teacher. She earned a double-major B.A. degree in Journalism and Religious Studies from NYU, with magna cum laude honors. www.rebeccakritzer.com

 

Jacob Lacopo (Ensemble) is stoked to spread this story of Christ’s love from coast to coast! Originally from Troy, Illinois, he graduated from Webster Conservatory in St. Louis, MO in 2013. First falling in love with theatre playing Winthrop in The Music Man, he got his professional start in The St. Louis Muny’s youth programs from the age of 9 to 18 where he returned after graduating college to receive his Actor’s Equity membership in Spamalot followed by West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast, Young Frankenstein, 100 Year Centennial Gala, and most recently the regional premiere of Kinky Boots! Other credits include: Empire (NYC staged-reading), Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka, Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Legally Blonde (Carlos, Norwegian Cruise Line), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Gideon), Grease (Doody), 9 to 5, Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man (Little Theatre on the Square), A Chorus Line (Mike), The Sound of Music (Rolf, McLeod Summer Playhouse), Chicago, Oklahoma, Curtains (Timber Lake Playhouse) and She Loves Me (Insight Theatre Company)… in addition to being a certified yoga teacher with Yoga to the People in NYC. @JacobLacopo

 

Charles McCall (Ensemble/Assistant Dance Captain/Fight Captain). Born in New Jersey, and having grown up in St. Louis, Chicago, and New York City, Charles is a man of the States. Just off the First National Tour of Aladdin, Charles traces his roots through dancing at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, and Breton Follies with Breton Tyner-Bryan, training at SAB, to the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis, where his musical journey began.

 

Danny McHugh (Swing). Born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. BFA from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. National tours: Rock of Ages (Drew), White Christmas (Jimmy). Off-Broadway: Blue Man Group (Blue Man). Favorite regional credits include: Floyd Collins (Floyd), BAZ in Las Vegas (Christian), Singin in the Rain (Don Lockwood), and getting to work with Stephen Schwartz as Pip in the original cast of Magic To Do on Princess Cruises.

 

Pepe Nufrio (Ensemble). National Tour debut! Pepe is a New York actor from Madrid, Spain. After 20 years in Spain and halfway through business school, Pepe decided to move to NYC to study acting at AMDA. Favorite credits include: Into The Woods (Barrington Stage), Evita (St. Louis Rep.), West Side Story (Philadelphia Orchestra), From Here to Eternity (NYC’s Jerome Robbins Theater), Grease (Pioneer Theater), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Fulton Theater). Pepenufrioart.com @thepepenufrio

 

Sarah Parker (Riot Girl) is currently a company member of Camille A. Brown and Dancers. In 2015, she took part in Hofesh Shechter’s developmental lab for the latest Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof, and then went on to join the show’s company under the direction of Bartlett Sher. She was part of the cast’s performances on the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” “Late Night with Stephen Colbert” and “The Tony Awards®.” Sarah is featured in 3 episodes of the hit Amazon TV series “Mozart in the Jungle,” and performed in NBC’s Emmy-winning “Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE” last April. She has also danced in events for Under Armour, Robin Hood, Ernst & Young, ULTA Beauty, MATRIX/ L’Oreal, and Brooks Brothers. As a teacher, Sarah is known for her athletic improvisation and contemporary movement workshops.

 

Erick Patrick (Ensemble). From an early age, Erick knew that he wanted to entertain people. His creative journey began in church where he developed his love for music. His passion for acting came a few years later in middle school, where Erick was in his first musical. Erick attended The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts where he studied acting on camera. Since graduating Erick has been in shows both regionally (Mamma Mia) and on tour (Motown the Musical). Erick is incredibly grateful for each and every opportunity.

 

SandyRedd (Soul Girl) is a powerhouse singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur, and a Chicago native performer taking the industry by storm. She recently left the entire world in shock and awe after wowing celebrity judge panelists Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Blake Shelton on the newest Season 15 of NBC’s hit show “The Voice”. However, SandyRedd’s story begins long before her journey to “The Voice”. Honored as a Leading Lady of Success in the field of music by WGCI & IHeart Radio, nominated for the 2018 Chicago Music Awards R&B Entertainer of the Year & Best Female Vocalist, winner of the WGCI Kickstart Your Dreams “Next to Blow out of Chicago” contest by Mountain Dew & Rap Legend Twista, Honored for Music Excellence & Community by RollingOut Magazine, and the founder of the Mama’s Birds Performing Arts Youth Organization which fosters mentorship through music, SandyRedd is definitely leaving her mark on the world with no plans of stopping anytime soon.

 

Jasmine Schmenk (Soul Girl) is from Toledo, Ohio by way of Cleveland. She grew up singing in church, attending an arts based high school (TSA), and went on to study musical theatre at Wright State University. Before graduating she was able to accept the role of Joanne Jefferson in the 20th Anniversary National Tour of RENT.

 

Chelsea Williams (Ensemble) hails from Windham, Maine and is a graduate of Emerson College where she received a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Broadway: In Transit (standby for Jane and Kathy), Mamma Mia! (u/s Sophie). Nat’l tours: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (u/s Betty), Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Regional: Casa Mañana, Maine State Music Theatre, Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Gloucester Stage.

 

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ABOUT THE SMITH CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The hallmark of downtown Las Vegas’ 61-acre urban development known as Symphony Park, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public-private partnership that opened in March 2012. Heralded as the city’s Heart of the Arts®, The Smith Center is an architectural triumph and long-awaited cultural achievement that educates and entertains the citizens of Southern Nevada. The $470 million world-class performing arts center offers a blend of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions, lectures and internationally-acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance. The five-acre campus features four performance spaces including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, the 244-seat Myron’s Cabaret Jazz club, the 220-seat Troesh Studio Theater and the 1.7-acre Donald W. Reynolds Symphony Park for outdoor concerts. Additionally, the campus is home to the Discovery Children’s Museum that opened in March 2013. For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit www.TheSmithCenter.com. Keep up with news and events on Facebook and follow The Smith Center on Twitter at @SmithCenterLV.