Broadway, West End and International Stars Announced for Jesus Christ Superstar New Zealand Tour
Published: Monday 15 June 2026
Producers today unveil the stellar international cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, assembling a company whose collective credits span Broadway, London's West End, Off-Broadway, major international tours, Netflix productions and some of the world's most celebrated musical theatre stages.
Following acclaimed seasons in London, North America, the UK and Australia, and currently playing to audiences across Asia, the Olivier Award-winning reimagined production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated musical JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will play in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this October through to December, as part of a major international tour.
Due to phenomenal demand, a fourth and final week has been added to the Auckland season with final seats on sale this week.
Leading the company as Jesus is acclaimed British performer Luke Street, who brings years of experience performing one of musical theatre's most iconic characters, following acclaimed performances in Jesus Christ Superstar and the international touring phenomenon Bat Out of Hell.
Opposite him as Judas is Green Room Award winner Javon King, one of the most exciting performers working in musical theatre today. King's career has taken him from New York to Melbourne, with standout performances in Back to the Future: The Musical, RENT, Hairspray, and Guys and Dolls.
The role of Mary Magdalene will be played by British performer Hannah Richardson, whose credits include Sting's acclaimed musical The Last Ship and the celebrated 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Together they lead a company drawn from some of the most prestigious productions in the world. American star Ethan Hardy Benson is currently wowing audiences as Pilate, following appearances in Off-Broadway's Rolling Thunder and leading roles in productions of Tarzan, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Fellow American Grant Hodges as Caiaphas brings credits including the North American 50th Anniversary Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys, Grease, Footloose and Disney's Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.
Also heading to New Zealand is Kodiak Thompson as Annas, recently seen in the Broadway touring production of Chicago, alongside acclaimed performances in DRAG: The Musical, La Cage Aux Folles, Kinky Boots and Gypsy.
British performer Will Silver is Simon after appearing in international productions of The Phantom of the Opera and The Choir of Man across the United States, Australia and China, while Thomas McFerran as Peter brings a career that spans six continents and screen credits including Netflix series Teenage Bounty Hunters and Sweet Magnolias.
These extraordinary principal roles are supported by Joshua Bess (Ensemble / Tenor Priest), Ashley Chafer (Ensemble), Filippo Coffano (Ensemble), Kalei Cotecson (Ensemble), Joshua Dormor (Ensemble / Bass Priest), Savannah Fisher (Ensemble / Soul Singer), Elizabeth Fullalove (Ensemble), Icis Hammond (Ensemble / Soul Singer), Domanick Hubbard (Ensemble), Jake Macphee (Ensemble), Jessica Meegan (Ensemble), Caroline Perry (Ensemble / Mob Leader), Sandy Redd (Ensemble / Soul Singer), Erich W. Schleck (Ensemble / Herod) and Jordan Michael Todd (Ensemble).
Completing the company are Lydia Ruth Dawson (Swing / Assistant Dance Captain), Brittany Ford (Swing), Cameron Kuhn (Swing / Dance Captain) and Darren Robinson (Swing/Fight Captain).
Collectively, the company has performed in productions seen by millions of theatre-goers across Broadway, the West End, North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, reinforcing the production's reputation as one of the most ambitious international musical theatre tours ever presented in New Zealand.
The juggernaut is currently blazing a trail of critical acclaim in Asia, with critics in Manila hailing it "a glorious vocal showcase and an aching human drama" and "a thrilling rock opera reborn for modern audiences".
Featuring iconic songs including I Don't Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar, the ground-breaking rock opera tells the story of the final days of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. More than 50 years after it first shocked and thrilled audiences, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR continues to captivate new generations with its electrifying score, powerful storytelling and timeless exploration of faith, fame and sacrifice.
“A gorgeous, thrilling, heavenly musical.”
- The Guardian
“Hallelujah! An almighty revelation.”
- The Daily Telegraph
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. The original London production opened at the Palace Theatre on 9 August 1972 and ran for over eight years. By the time it closed, after 3,358 performances, it had become the longest-running musical in West End history at that time. Since then, the musical has been reproduced regularly around the world, including a Broadway revival in 2012 and the celebrated Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production marking 45 years since its Broadway debut. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR will also have a limited run at the iconic London Palladium in summer 2026. This production was originally created and produced at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
This production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2016 Evening Standard Award for Best Musical, selling out two consecutive engagements in 2016 and 2017. The production played a West End engagement at the Barbican in 2019 before returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in concert version during the summer of 2020, followed by a universally acclaimed UK tour in 2023/24.
The 2026 Tour of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is produced by GMG Productions and David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions. The original production was produced by London's Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
The New Zealand season will run from 21 October – 15 November at The Civic in AucklandFinal seats on sale this week for Auckland via Ticketmaster.
Proudly supported by Auckland Council Events and the City Centre Targeted Rate
