Tonight is the much-anticipated opening night of Donegal Youth Musical Theatre’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ in An Grianan Letterkenny.
For five nights only, the DYMT will showcase a modern retelling of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit Broadway rock-opera. Tuesday night’s show has already sold out, while just a limited number of seats remain for all other dates.
With a cast of the country’s finest young musical theatre actors – sourced at auditions from as far as Dublin and Belfast – DYMT will make their return to Letterkenny following their sold-out and AIMS-nominated run of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in August 2017.
Directed by Séimí Campbell, with musical direction by Herta Kelly, the production pushes all boundaries as it places the traditional bible story in a familiar, modern day world – starring a female Judas, played by the incredible Anna Gallagher, Gartan, and King Herod; Siobhan McParland, Ramelton.
Mary Magdalene is played by Derry’s Niamh Long, who most recently got nominated for AIMS Best Female Singer 2017 for DYMT’s ‘Phantom’, and in the title role of Jesus, is Dublin actor, Cian Judd, who most recently starred in EVITA in Dublin, directed by Campbell.
Séimí, who moves to London to start his MA in Theatre Directing in September, said that ‘this production invites audiences to think beyond the notes and ‘jazz hands’. We want people to leave thinking and asking questions. With such an incredible cast and crew gathered from all across the country – this is going to be a special one!’
#JCS18 rehearsals with West End star Celinde Schoenmaker
West-End megastar, Celinde Shoenmaker, who is most well known for playing Christine in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and Fantine in ‘Les Miserables’ in London’s West End, was amongst the coaches and creative team for this production, joining the cast for acting masterclasses during rehearsals.
The production runs from Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th August in the An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny, nightly at 7:30pm. Limited tickets are left on www.angrianan.com. With tickets selling out days in advance of last year’s Phantom of the Opera, it is advised to book now to avoid missing out on this reimagined telling of the world’s greatest story.