UK commercial broadcaster ITV has teamed up with Andrew Lloyd Webber to search for a singer to appear in a new version of rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.
The musical composer has ended his partnership with the BBC to appear as the lead judge in Superstar, which will be produced for ITV1 by the broadcaster’s production arm ITV Studios (ITVS).
Superstar will see a nationwide search for a new singer to take the lead in a new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, which was written by Webber and lyricist Tim Rice.
It is exec produced by Peter Davey, ITVS’s creative director of entertainment, with Katharine Begg as series producer. Both have previously worked on ITV1’s magic show Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
Webber has left the BBC after four series found new leads for West End productions of The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz.
He said: “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.”
Auditions in front of a casting panel will begin next month before the final live shows air later this year.
Elaine Bedell, ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy, said: “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.”
ITV has commissioned Superstar as the BBC prepares to air the UK version of Dutch format The Voice.
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