Jesus Christ Superstar returns to The 5th Avenue Theatre after over 20 years, this time with an updated version directed by 5th Avenue Theatre Executive and Artistic Director Bill Berry. The show opens today and runs through May 17.

"So for this production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the designers and I started meeting about a year ago," Berry said. "One of the things we aligned on very early was that it would be a contemporary setting. We didn’t want to set it in, sort of, “biblical times.” Another element that really spoke to us when setting up the staging was that rock music was really palpable to us.

Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion and explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, Jesus’s disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire. The story is narrated by Jesus’s conflicted disciple and ultimate betrayer, Judas.

"The show compels us to think about what it would be like to have Jesus walking amongst us today," Berry added. "So we set it in what we call the near future. It’s not exactly today, and it’s not necessarily 20 years from now, or 10 years from now. It’s something we’re calling the near future.

"I think that it is a timeless story. It’s a story that involves redemption and betrayal and passion. And it’s ultimately a very human story."

Jesus Christ Superstar last ran at The 5th Avenue Theatre in 2003 during the 2002-2005 tour. The show was also part of the Broadway at The Paramount 2021-22 season. Jesus Christ Superstar is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group.

Tim Rice's lyrics are set to Andrew Lloyd Webber's infectious melodies. Both also collaborated on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Evita.

Alexander Kilian plays Jesus, Cameron Miles Lavi-Jones is Judas, and Molly Sides as Mary Magdalene. Jimmy Shields choreographs and R.J. Tancioco conducts the orchestra in this contemporary version.

Tickets are available online or at the box office.