Producers of the star-studded “Jesus Christ Superstar” arena tour have cancelled the 51-city tour that was scheduled to start at New Orleans’ Lakefront Arena on June 9.
The “Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Spectacular Tour” included in its cast Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd, John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd, ‘N Sync’s JC Chasez and Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams. According to reports, some elements of the production had already arrived in New Orleans.
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A notice on the website states no explanation. Tickets will be refunded. Publicists for the show have yet to respond to Billboard for comment.
The trek was to be presented by musical co-writer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and event producer S2BN Entertainment, which is run by veteran Rolling Stones promoter Michael Cohl. In a recent interview with Billboard, Really Useful CEO Barney Wragg said there was “enormous growth potential” in bringing similar, updated musical productions to traditional theater markets.
Does ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Signal a Rocking Future for Arena Theater?
However, both Wragg and Cohl had told Billboard that it was too early to discuss “Superstar’s” ticket sales and box office — perhaps because the show was having difficulty filling seats. A few weeks ago, a cursory check of a number of “Superstar’s” then-available shows revealed half-empty venues.
Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera has seen numerous stage productions since its debut in 1970. In 1971, the show’s concept album topped the Billboard 200 chart.
Ben Forster, who was to star as Jesus, also took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the news:
My heart is broken. My beautiful talented cast and company I adore. This wonderful show & opportunity is over. I’m so sorry I am devastated.
— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) May 30, 2014
I am in New Orleans.I was mid rehearsal with @JCChasez on the floor.Going they the end of the show. U guys must know we were ready for this.
— Ben Forster (@thebenforster) May 30, 2014
@thebenforster That is majorly messed up! I was so looking fwd to seeing all of y’all in New Orleans! Can we get a Hollywood bowl show?!
— Lance Bass (@LanceBass) May 30, 2014
Boyd and Chasez chimed in as well:
I got fired from #JesusChristSuperstar today….but so did the rest of the cast so we’re all sad together. Yeah, it’s true. Tour cancelled
— Brandon Boyd (@mybrandonboyd) May 30, 2014
When it rains it pours
— JC Chasez (@JCChasez) May 30, 2014