Broadway musical director and composer Louis St. Louis conceived the gospel take on Jesus Christ Superstar that has been sanctioned by composer Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice. Alliance artistic director Susan V. Booth directs the sung-through work that officially opens Jan. 21, 2009, and concludes Feb. 22, 2009.

De Haas, known for his roles in Children of Eden, Rent, Marie Christine and the Actor's Fund benefit of Dreamgirls, will star in the title role. Joining de Haas are Nicole Long as Mary Magdalene, Darryl Jovan Williams as Judas, Eric Jordan Young (Dessa Rose, Little Fish) as Herod, Destan Owens (Rent, Smokey Joe's Café) as Pilate, Keith Adams as Simon and Philip Dorian McAdoo (The Lion King) as Peter.

The cast also features Stephanie Battle, Rodney Boyden, Phillip Boykin, Jaime Cepero, Chandra Currelley, Jesse Jones, Arian Keddell, Bernardine Mitchell, CJay Hardy Philip, Glenn Rainey, Eugene H. Russell IV, Brett Sturgis, Charles E. Wallace, J.D. Webster, Darryl Jovan Williams and Hollie E. Wright.

The newly conceived production incorporates a 27-member choir composed of Atlanta gospel singers: Adam McKnight, Charlene Anderson, Christy Clark, Jae Franklin, Latarsha Horne, Cynthia Jackson, Jennifer Jordan, Jamie Katz, Naomi Lavette, Paul Vincent, DeMond Mason, Cassandra McCullough, Arle Michel, Eric Moore, Jennifer Myles, Latrice Pace, Valerie Payton, Steven Roberts, Jeremy Sage, Tameka Scotton, Jonathan Smith, Tim Stylez, Alecia Terry, Cory Washington, Raena White, Burgandy Williams and Yolanda Williams.

The production team includes Tony-winning set designer Michael Yeargan, Tony-nominated costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Robert Wierzel, sound designer Jon Weston and gospel vocal arranger Darryl Jovan Williams with new orchestrations by Dave Pierce. For tickets and more information phone (404) 733-5000 or visit www.alliancetheatre.org.

The Alliance Theatre is located within the Woodruff Arts Center, at the corner of Peachtree Street and 15th Street, in Atlanta, GA.