The Stratford Shakespeare Festival recently announced the cast for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR when that production travels to the La Jolla Playhouse for a run that begins previews on November 18 and runs until December 31.
Most of the cast are the same as in the recently closed Stratford Shakespeare Festival with one surprising change: Paul Nolan plays Jesus, Chilina Kennedy plays Mary Magdalene, Bruce Dow plays Herod, Josh Young plays Judas.
The surprising change is that Brent Carver, who played Pontius Pilot in the Stratford production, is not going to La Jolla. The role will now be sung by Jeremy Kushnier.
A newspaper report quotes Ann Swerdfager, the Press representative of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, as saying that Carver has vocal strain and needs to rest.
Hmmm. That sounds a bit odd. Voice strain now, at the end of the season? And a shame. Carver gave the best performance in the show.